Gene Barry

American stage, screen, and television actor and baritone vocalist. Born June 14, 1919 · New York City, New York, USA. Died December 9, 2009 · Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA. Best known for his roles on the 1960s television series Bat Masterson and Burke's Law. Prior to his acting, he sang in Teddy Powell's Orchestra. He found early fame as a violin player but switched to singing after breaking his arm playing football. At age 17 he earned a singing scholarship awarded by David Sarnoff (the head of RCA at the time), to the Chatham Square School of Music, and studied there for two years.