Patrick Barry Sullivan (August 29, 1912 – June 6, 1994)[1] was an American actor of film, television, theatre, and radio. In a career that spanned over 40 years, Sullivan appeared in over 100 movies from the 1930s to the 1980s, primarily as a leading actor after establishing himself in the industry, and later as a character actor.
Ronald Bergan wrote in The Guardian in 1994: "Second division Hollywood actors like Barry Sullivan ... are usually faintly praised for being reliable or solid. However, when given the chance, Sullivan was a powerful, often baleful presence on screen, providing more pleasure than many more touted stars. "[2]
Early years
Born in New York City, Sullivan was a law student at New York University and Temple University.[3] He fell into acting when in college playing semi-pro football. He was later a department store buyer.[4]
Career
Broadway stage, film shorts and radio
Sullivan's first appearance on Broadway was in I Want a Policeman in 1936.[5] That year he was also in R.C. Sheriff's St Helena.[6]
Sullivan appeared in shorts such as Strike! You're Out (1936), Broker's Follies (1937), Dime a Dance (1937) (alongside Imogene Coca, June Allyson and Danny Kaye), Dates and Nuts (1937), and Hi-Ho Hollywood (1937).[citation needed]
He returned to Broadway with roles in All That Glitters (1938) and Eye on the Sparrow (1938) (with a young Montgomery Clift). He received attention when he joined the cast of the long running The Man Who Came to Dinner (1939) as Bert Jefferson. He was also in Mr Big (1941), Ring Around Elizabeth (1941) and Johnny 2 X 4 (1942). Sullivan appeared with Bette Davis on stage in 1960 in The World of Carl Sandburg as a substitute for her husband Gary Merrill.
In 1950, Sullivan replaced Vincent Price in the role of Leslie Charteris' Simon Templar on the NBC Radio show The Saint.[7] Sullivan lasted only two episodes before the show was cancelled.
Then he went to Monogram Pictures for Suspense (1946), the most expensive film that studio had made to date, produced by the King Brothers; Sullivan was second billed to Belita. Monogram were delighted with his work; Sullivan obtained a release from his Paramount contract and signed a three picture deal with Monogram.[11] Sullivan supported Brian Aherne and Constance Bennett in Smart Woman (1948) for Bennett's company, releasing through Monogram (as Allied Artists). He received top billing for a Western from the King Brothers and Monogram, Bad Men of Tombstone (1949).
Sullivan played the lead in a series of lower budgeted films noir: Loophole (1954) for Allied Artists, Playgirl (1954) at Universal, and The Miami Story (1954) for Sam Katzman. He went back to MGM for a support role in Her Twelve Men (1954).
He has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: one at 1500 Vine St. for his work in television, and another at 6160 Hollywood Blvd. for motion pictures.[citation needed]
Personal life
Sullivan was married three times and had three children. Marie Brown (married 1937, divorced 1957), a Broadway actress, was mother to both Jenny and John Sullivan.[19][20]
Sullivan married model and actress Gita Hall in 1958; they divorced in June 1961.[21][22] The couple's daughter, Patsy, was a child model. While married to songwriter Jimmy Webb, Patsy gave Sullivan seven grandchildren.[citation needed]
Sullivan's third marriage was to Desiree Sumarra. The union produced no children and ended in divorce in 1965.[23]
^Kirby, Walter (January 11, 1953). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". Decatur Sunday Herald and Review. p. 42. Retrieved June 19, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
