BARRY BROWN - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 315027

BARRY BROWN
Brilliant actor sends thoughtful Christmas card to John Willis, editor of Theatre World, wishing him a Happy New Year
Autograph letter signed: "Barry Brown" in blue ink. 1 page, 8¼x6¼ flat, 4x6¼ folded. In full: "Dear John, I'm never good with getting my Xmas cards out on time, so you'll get this one late, but I do want you to know how much I respect you sensitivity towards myself & other people. It's a rare & welcome sign for an actor to discern in another person. Here's to a Great New Year! Love". Actor and author Barry Brown (1951-1978), an acting prodigy with a genius I. Q., was on stage from age 5, and appearing with Van Johnson in The Music Man by age 10. His breakthrough film role came in Bad Company (1972), followed by Daisy Miller in 1974. He appeared in many TV movies and series episodes until his untimely death. Brown was intensely interested in actors' biographies, making significant contributions to the volumes Scream Queens and Who Was Who on Screen, and working on his own unpublished collection of horror actors' biographies. Married for 2 months in 1972, Brown committed suicide in 1978. In 1997 his sister, actress Marilyn Brown, also killed herself. A third sibling, novelist James Brown, has documented their dysfunctional family in The Los Angeles Diaries (2003). John A. Willis (1916-2010), active in Theatre World from the beginning, became its chief editor in 1965, holding that position until 2008. Willis is regarded as one of the foremost theatre and film historians of the 20th century. While producing (and presenting) the annual Theatre World Awards, Willis also served on the nominating committee for the Tony Awards. Theatre World, which received its own Tony for Excellence in Theatre in 2001, continues under chief editor Ben Hodges. Toned. Corners rounded. Light surface creases. Otherwise, fine condition.