Raymond Barry

Raymond John Barry, born March 14, 1939, in Hempstead, New York, is an American actor whose work spans film, television, and stage. A three-letter athlete at Lynbrook High School in Lynbrook, New York, he went on to earn a degree in Philosophy from Brown University in 1962. He subsequently completed his training at the Yale Drama School.

Barry's stage career preceded his work in film and television by a considerable margin, with more than 75 plays to his credit before he transitioned to screen work. His Broadway appearances took place between 1975 and 1979 and included three productions: The Leaf People, Happy End, and Zoot Suit.

On screen, Barry became recognized for a range of character roles across both film and television. Among his most prominent film performances was his portrayal of Ron Kovic's father in the Academy Award-winning Born on the Fourth of July, and his role as Walter Ohlinger in Interview with the Assassin, a character who claimed to have been the second shooter on the Grassy Knoll during the assassination of John F. Kennedy. He played Pa Cox in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, a character whose repeated line "The wrong kid died!" became a defining feature of the role. His performance in Steel City earned him a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male. Additional film credits include Dead Man Walking, Training Day, Falling Down, Cool Runnings, K2, The Tulse Luper Suitcases, and The Chamber. Both Dead Man Walking and The Chamber, films centered on the death penalty, featured Barry alongside actor Robert Prosky.

His television work includes recurring and guest roles across several prominent series. He portrayed Senator Richard Matheson, Fox Mulder's congressional patron, in The X-Files, and appeared as Jack Shephard's grandfather in Lost. On the CBS drama Cold Case, he played Lilly Rush's father. His most sustained television role came on Justified, where he played Arlo Givens, the father of the series' main character, Raylan Givens.

Barry was born and raised in Hempstead, New York. His father, also named Raymond Barry, worked in sales. His mother, Barbara Constance Barry, born April 29, 1913, and died October 22, 2006, was an actor who performed professionally as B. Constance Barry; her final role came in the 2001 film L.I.E. She was of Canadian, Irish, and Swedish descent, while Barry's paternal grandparents were from Ireland. Barry is married to writer Robyn Mundell, and together they have four children: Oona, Raymond, Liam, and Manon.