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Barry Bostwick

Birth Place: San Mateo, CA, USA

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BIO

Bostwick was a member of First National Nothing, who released one album, 1970's "If You Sit Real Still and Hold My Hand, You Will Hear Absolutely Nothing." They are described on the album as "A rock-theater commune made up of musicians, actors, dancers, singers, designers, writers, composers, and friends that started a long, long time ago as a lost tribe in California and has ended up as a theatrical performing company in New York City."



In 1970, Bostwick was a member of a pop band called The Klowns, assembled and promoted by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, whose members performed wearing stylized clown makeup and costumes. Their sole album, released in 1970, was produced by Jeff Barry, and generated a minor Billboard hit single, "Lady Love."

Bostwick replaced C.C. Courtney in the musical Salvation. His next stage appearance was in the 1971 rock opera Soon, which closed after three performances. In 1972, Bostwick originated the role of bad boy Danny Zuko in the stage production of Grease, earning a Tony Award nomination for his performance. This was followed by a voice role as Terr in the English-dubbed version of Fantastic Planet in 1973. He later starred with Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), portraying Brad Majors. He also won a Tony Award for his performance in the 1977 musical The Robber Bridegroom. In 1981, Bostwick starred in the TV series adaptation of the 1978 film Foul Play, with his role modeled after Chevy Chase's and co-star Deborah Raffin in Goldie Hawn's part. The following year, he starred in Megaforce. Bostwick starred, along with Carl Weintraub, as Rick Armstrong in the short-lived ABC sitcom Dads during the 1986–87 season. From 1996 to 2002, Bostwick portrayed Randall Winston, the mayor of New York City in the sitcom Spin City opposite Michael J. Fox and his successor, Charlie Sheen. In 2006, Bostwick replaced Peter Scolari as Mr. Tyler, the father of Amanda Bynes's and Jennie Garth's lead characters, on What I Like About You.

Bostwick had a recurring role between 2004 and 2007 on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. He has also had leading roles in various mini-series, including George Washington, its sequel George Washington II: The Forging of a Nation, Scruples, A Woman of Substance, War and Remembrance, and Till We Meet Again.

Bostwick served as host of the nationally televised annual Capitol Fourth celebration on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for eight years. Bostwick was also seen in a Pepsi Twist commercial. In the Cold Case episode "Creatures of the Night," in which he is the main suspect, the theme of the episode revolves around The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which is among his best-known performances to date.

In 2003, Bostwick appeared on Scrubs as a patient diagnosed with prostate cancer, a disease Bostwick had in real life. In 2008, he appeared in an episode of TV series Ugly Betty as an attorney to the Meade family. In 2007, Bostwick gained a recurring role, as Grandpa Clyde Flynn on the animated television series, Phineas and Ferb. Bostwick is also the spokesperson for Optimum Voice. In June 2009, he played Father Jimmy, the ineffective exorcist in the independent horror comedy The Selling, written by Gabriel Diani and directed by Emily Lou.

Other television credits include guest appearances in Charlie's Angels, Hawaii Five-O, The Golden Palace, Grace Under Fire, and Las Vegas.

Bostwick was supposed to appear on the third season of Private Practice as "the Captain," a father of the Addison Montgomery character, but had to resign due to a scheduling conflict. In 2011, Bostwick portrayed a small-town sheriff in the John Landis–produced thriller Some Guy Who Kills People

In October 2010, Bostwick briefly appeared in the Rocky Horror-themed Glee episode.

From 2010 to 2014, Bostwick had a recurring role as Roger Frank on the sitcom Cougar Town which starred Courteney Cox. In season three of the show, we learn that Bostwick's character has become mayor of the town the comedy is set in, Gulf Haven. In 2015, he portrayed Collin Winthrop, father of the Gig Harbor Killer, in the season-ending CSI: Crime Scene Investigation episode "The End Game." He has also had a return to cult musical horror films in the form of Terrance Zdunich's Alleluia! The Devil's Carnival, which is a sequel to the 2012 short film The Devil's Carnival, of which he was not previously a cast member, being a newcomer to the franchise. He starred in Darren Lynn Bousman's segment of the anthology film Tales of Halloween, which was his second time acting under Bousman after Alleluia! The Devil's Carnival, and appeared in the comedy horror film Helen Keller vs. Nightwolves.

In 2020, Bostwick executive produced and starred in the short film Molly Robber as Ron Baker, which won an Audience Award at the 2020 Austin Film Festival and was an official selection at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1991
Nick Charles

Performer

Nick Charles

Performer

[US Tour]
National Tour, 1981
Pirate King


[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1976
Jamie Lockhart


[Broadway]
1976
Joe


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1972
Danny Zuko


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1971
Kelly


[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1970
Leo/Jacques/Pierre/Jean de Jouvenel/Goudeket


[Broadway]
1969
Player

Ghost

Osric

Ghost

Osric

Player

[Broadway]
1969
Porter

The Cock

Porter

The Cock

[Off-Broadway]
Concert [Off-Broadway], 1977
Georg Nowack


Movies

Jennifer on My Mind
[ 1971 ] Minstrel #1
Fantastic Planet
[ 1973 ] Adult Terr - Narrator
Road Movie
[ 1973 ] Hank
The Wrong Damn Film
[ 1975 ] Alex Rounder
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
[ 1975 ] Brad Majors - A Hero
Megaforce
[ 1982 ] Ace Hunter
Weekend at Bernie's II
[ 1993 ] Arthur Hummel
Eight Hundred Leagues Down the Amazon
[ 1993 ] Garral
Russian Holiday
[ 1993 ] Grant Ames
In the Heat of Passion II: Unfaithful
[ 1994 ] Phillip
Project: Metalbeast
[ 1995 ] Miller
Spy Hard
[ 1996 ] Norman Coleman
The Secret Agent Club
[ 1996 ] Vincent Scarletti
Swing
[ 2003 ] Freddie
Spymate
[ 2003 ] President
Chestnut: Hero of Central Park
[ 2004 ] Thom Trundle
Nancy Drew
[ 2007 ] Dhiel Zachary Biedermeyer
Evening
[ 2007 ] Mr. Wittenborn
Holiday Baggage
[ 2008 ] Pete Murphy
Hannah Montana: The Movie
[ 2009 ] Mr. Bradley
It's a Dog Gone Tale: Destiny's Stand
[ 2010 ] Arlen Hanley
Miss Nobody
[ 2010 ] Father Grisham
Bedrooms
[ 2010 ] Roger
The Selling
[ 2011 ] Father Jimmy
Some Guy Who Kills People
[ 2011 ] Sheriff Walt Fuller
FDR: American Badass!
[ 2012 ] Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Finding Joy
[ 2013 ] Alan
Home Run Showdown
[ 2015 ] Big Al
Helen Keller vs. Nightwolves
[ 2015 ] Jonathan
November Rule
[ 2015 ] Lance
Three Days in August
[ 2016 ] John
Diani & Devine Meet the Apocalypse
[ 2016 ] The Senator
Alleluia! The Devil's Carnival
[ 2016 ] The Watchword
A Mermaid's Tale
[ 2017 ] Art
Bigger Fatter Liar
[ 2017 ] Larry Wolf
Incredibles 2
[ 2018 ] Mayor
Slay Belles
[ 2018 ] Santa
Grand-Daddy Day Care
[ 2019 ] Dynamite Dan North
The Field
[ 2019 ] George
3 from Hell
[ 2019 ] Narrator
Santa Girl
[ 2019 ] Santa Claus
Undercover Brother 2
[ 2019 ] The Man
Love by Drowning
[ 2020 ] Val Martin Sr.
Single All the Way
[ 2021 ] Harold
One Month Out
[ 2021 ] Red
Love, Danielle
[ 2024 ] Bryce Bledsoe
Isla Monstro
[ 2024 ] Potus

TV Shows

'Til Death
George Von Stuessen
Cougar Town
Roger Frank, Roger
Dads
Rick Armstrong
Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce
George
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Oliver Gates
Out of Practice
Gavin
Research.
Dr. Rust
Spin City
The Mayor
Still the King
Coy Phisher, Coy
What I Like About You
Jack, Jack Tyler
Worst Extra Ever
Milt Hamilton
True Noir: The Assassination of Anton Cermak
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
The Potwins
Grandpa Davis
The Roommates
Henry
True Noir: The Assassination of Anton Cermak
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
The Potwins
Grandpa Davis
The Roommates
Henry

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 1977 - Outstanding Actor - Muscial

Barry Bostwick, She Loves Me

Drama Desk Awards - 1977 - Outstanding Actor - Musical

Barry Bostwick, The Robber Bridegroom


winner
Tony Awards - 1977 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Barry Bostwick , The Robber Bridegroom

Tony Awards - 1976 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Barry Bostwick, They Knew What They Wanted


winner
Tony Awards - 1972 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Barry Bostwick , Grease

News


Celebrate 50 Years of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW at Town Hall
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 9, 2025

The cult phenomenon The Rocky Horror Picture Show is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a live event at Town Hall in New York City on Monday, November 3 at 7:30PM, featuring original cast members Barry Bostwick (Brad Majors), Nell Campbell (Columbia), and Patricia Quinn (Magenta).
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW With Original Stars is Coming to the Town Hall
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 8, 2025

The Rocky Horror Picture Show tour featuring original cast members will now make a stop at The Town Hall in New York. Learn more and see how to attend!
New ROCKY HORROR SHOW Documentary Sets UK Premiere and Festival Dates
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 16, 2025

Kaleidoscope Entertainment has confirmed that Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror is set for a UK release, with an exclusive first look at the new artwork. 
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW Celebrates 50th Anniversary With Star Barry Bostwick at Jacksonville Center
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 3, 2025

The FSCJ Artist Series will present The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m., in celebration of the cult classic’s 50th anniversary.
SUMMER REWIND Debuts With The Very Best Of The ‘70s, ‘80s And ‘90s At The Broward Center For The Performing Arts
by A.A. Cristi - May 24, 2025

It's a Summer Rewind from June to August at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts that will inspire audiences to crank up the hits and dust off those leg warmers for a totally tubular lineup celebrating the best of the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. 
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW Star Barry Bostwick Bring 50th Anniversary Tour To Warner Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - May 3, 2025

The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the longest-running theatrical release in film history, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with original cast member, Barry Bostwick (the iconic Brad Majors) who will be visiting cities across the US and Canada.
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW Tour is Coming to The Fabulous Fox
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 29, 2025

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is celebrating its 50th anniversary with original cast members who will each be visiting over 40 cities in the US and Canada that will include a stop in St. Louis at The Fabulous Fox. Learn how to purchase tickets.
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW's Original Stars to Join 40-City Tour
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 28, 2025

The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the longest-running theatrical release in film history, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with original cast members, who will each be visiting over 40 cities in the US and Canada. Learn how to attend the tour!
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW Comes to the Paramount Theatre in September
by Stephi Wild - Apr 23, 2025

Comedy Works along with Paramount Theatre will present The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Barry Bostwick celebrating The 50th Anniversary Spectacular Tour!
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW Anniversary Tour And Jacob Collier Added To Kravis Center Lineup
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 23, 2025

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts has announced two thrilling shows have been added to the October 2025 lineup. Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, April 25 at 10 a.m..
2025 Atlanta Film Festival Unveils Additional Films and Special Presentations
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 14, 2025

The 49th Annual Atlanta Film Festival + Creative Conference has revealed newly added key programming, including the Closing Night Presentation, talent appearances, and the full lineup of Marquee screenings.
Rita McKenzie Memorial To Take Place February 22
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 21, 2025

Friends, family and colleagues of the late Rita McKenzie will salute her in A Celebration of Life on Saturday, February 22 at 5:00pm PST. This weekend, she will be memorialized and celebrated in Los Angeles. 
Feature Film DARUMA To Screen At The Tank
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 11, 2024

DARUMA, featuring two leads with disabilities, will screen at The Tank Theater in Manhattan from November 15-21, 2024.
AVATAR & ROCKY HORROR to Play This Weekend at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 18, 2024

Broadway In Chicago is presenting two shows this weekend! For one day only each, come see AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER IN CONCERT, followed by THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. Learn how to purchase tickets.
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW Event Featuring Barry Bostwick is Coming to Wharton Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 14, 2024

The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the longest-running theatrical release in film history, is celebrating its 48th Anniversary at Wharton Center. An evening of musical comedy, live interaction, and performances from the onstage Shadow Cast will leave you dancing for days. Learn how to purchase tickets.
5th Avenue Theatre to Host Screening of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW with Barry Bostwick
by Blair Ingenthron - Oct 12, 2024

The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the longest-running theatrical release in film history, will celebrate its 49th anniversary with a stop in Seattle at The 5th Avenue Theatre on October 25 & 26, 2024.
Video: Original Cast of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW Reunites and Hits the Road
by Joey Mervis - Oct 12, 2024

The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the longest-running theatrical release in film history, is celebrating its 49th anniversary and embarking on three national tours stopping in over 50 cities this fall. This year, original cast members, Barry Bostwick, Nell Campbell and Patricia Quinn are touring the US and Canada simultaneously. Watch in this video as all three check in with BroadwayWorld ahead of the launch of the tour.
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW Announced At Brooklyn Art Haus
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 9, 2024

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW is set to return Off-Broadway, offering audiences a chance to experience the cult classic live.
Broadway Streaming Guide: October 2024 - Where to Watch HEARTSTOPPER, Rachel Bloom's Special & More
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 30, 2024

As we dive into October, Broadway fans have plenty of new movies, shows, and music to look forward to! Check out what's coming to streaming this month, including a new season of Heartstopper, the filmed recording of Rachel Bloom's Off-Broadway show, and Ariana DeBose as an anxious chef in Prime Video's House of Spoils.
Ensemble Arts to Present Free Philadelphia Fall Arts Fest Featuring Over 50 Organizations
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 12, 2024

Ensemble Arts will present the Philadelphia Fall Arts Fest featuring over 50 arts organizations and free performances. Learn more about the programming!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Barry Bostwick been in?

Barry Bostwick has appeared on Broadway in 7 shows.

How many West End shows has Barry Bostwick been in?

Barry Bostwick has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Barry Bostwick been nominated for?

Outstanding Actor - Muscial (Drama Desk Awards) for She Loves Me, Outstanding Actor - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Robber Bridegroom, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Robber Bridegroom, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for They Knew What They Wanted and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Grease.

What awards has Barry Bostwick won?

Barry Bostwick won the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for The Robber Bridegroom and also received the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for Grease.

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