Len Vlahos

Barry Brown, born Donald Barry Brown, was an American actor and author who passed away in 1978. He began his acting career at a young age, appearing in stage productions and television. His notable film roles include Frederick Winterbourne in "Daisy Miller" (1974) and Drew Dixon in "Bad Company" (1972). Director Peter Bogdanovich commended Brown's intellectual engagement with his craft.

Beyond his acting, Brown was deeply interested in film history, particularly focusing on obscure and forgotten personalities in Hollywood. He contributed to books such as "Scream Queens: Heroines of the Horrors" and compiled his own unpublished work, "Unsung Heroes of the Horrors." His research into these less-celebrated figures highlights an interest in the marginalized and overlooked aspects of the film industry. Brown's personal life included a brief marriage and his tragic death by suicide at his Los Angeles home.

Donald Barry Brown was born in San Jose, California, the eldest child of Donald Bernard and Vivian Brown. He had two siblings: Marilyn Brown, who also pursued acting and died by suicide in 1998, and James Brown, a novelist. James Brown later chronicled their family's experiences in his memoir, "The Los Angeles Diaries," offering a personal perspective on their upbringing and dynamics.

Brown's acting career commenced in childhood, with numerous television and stage appearances. He performed in "The Music Man" at age ten and made his significant screen debut in "Halls of Anger" (1970) at nineteen. His role as Drew Dixon in "Bad Company" (1972) garnered critical attention and public recognition. He also starred opposite Cybill Shepherd in "Daisy Miller" (1974). Throughout the 1970s, Brown focused on television work, including the TV movie "The Disappearance of Aimee" (1976), and appeared in films like Joe Dante's "Piranha" (1978).

Barry Brown developed a keen interest in film history, dedicating himself to researching and documenting the lives of less-recognized figures in the entertainment industry. He was an authority on actors and film history, contributing to "Scream Queens: Heroines of the Horrors," a book profiling fantasy film actresses and directors. Brown also compiled an unpublished manuscript titled "Unsung Heroes of the Horrors," which focused on the lives of lesser-known Hollywood talents. His work was recognized by Evelyn Mack Truett, who dedicated "Who Was Who on Screen Third Edition" to Brown, acknowledging his significant data contributions.

“the only American actor you can believe ever read a book.”