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Barry Primus

Barry Primus

Actor, also director, producer and writer · Born February 16, 1938 (88) · New York City, New York, USA

Barry Primus (born February 16, 1938) is an American actor, director, and writer. Description above from the Wikipedia article Barry Primus, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 16, 1938 (88)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor, also director, producer and writer
Titles
57 on MovieCove · 89 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 10% in 30 days

What are Barry Primus' films like?

Across their 29 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Drama11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 63rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 42nd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 17th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 35th percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 84th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
24%
Bonds
20%
Morality
19%
Survival
13%
Power
10%
Society
9%
Ideas
4%
Romantic love7 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeOppression3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 29 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 12 · Serious 6 · Dark 11

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 14 · Stylized 10 · Heightened 5

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 19 · Intense 6

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 11 · Shifting 14 · Whiplash 4

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 14 · Some laughs 11 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 14 · Relentless 3

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 13 · Engaged 15 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 10 · Affecting 8 · Heavy 11

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 23 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

10 analyzed roles

Usually the Trickster: 3 of 10 analyzed roles.

Trickster
3 of 10
Mentor
2 of 10
Threshold guardian
2 of 10
Ally
2 of 10
Hero
1 of 10
Show the 10 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
17
Melancholic
16
Absurd
9
Thrilling
7
Contemplative
6
Other
18

How their films linger

Bittersweet12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet14
  • Tragic7
  • Ambiguous4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Barry Primus' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 38 of their 57 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (22).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Barry Primus' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

89 credits, 57 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Eternity(2025)

    as Older Larry

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Prank(2022)

    as George Wheeler

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Arkansas(2020)

    as Old Greek

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Irishman(2019)

    as Ewing King

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Rock Bottom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • Breakable You(2017)

    as Dr. Chazen

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Joy(2015)

    as Rudy's Attorney

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The Longest Week(2014)

    as Bernard the Chauffer

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Dinner with Friends with Brett Gelman and Friends(2014)

    as Larry Gelman

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • American Hustle(2013)

    as Tellegio's Consigliere

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Inglourious Basterds(2009)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Jackson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Donald

  • Righteous Kill(2008)

    as Prosky

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • After Midnight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Marty Cole

  • Big Guns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Will Fox

  • Break a Leg (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Ira Goldstein

  • Boston Legal(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Professor Jeffrey Benoit

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Life as a House(2001)

    as Tom

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • James Dean(2001)

    as Nicholas Ray

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • 15 Minutes(2001)

    as Cab Driver

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Black and White(1999)

    as Priest

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Providence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Gordon

  • V.I.P. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Gold Coast(1997)

    as Ed Grossi

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Flipping (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Joey, Leo's Crew

  • The Practice(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Porn Film Director Goodwin

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Crime of the Century(1996)

    as Ellis Parker

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Arli$$(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Benny

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • Trade Off (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Detective Gold

  • Welcome to Paradise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Frank Blair

  • T-Force(1994)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • SeaQuest 2032(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Frobe Ernst

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • The X-Files(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Robert Dorlund

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Night and the City(1992)

    as Tommy Tessler

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Mistress(1992)

    Director · Screenplay · Story

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Guilty by Suspicion(1991)

    as Bert Alan

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Gary Silver

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Torn Apart(1990)

    as Arie Arnon

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Denial(1990)

    as Jay

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death(1989)

    as Ford Maddox

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Big Business(1988)

    as Michael

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • The Stranger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Sergeant Drake

  • Talking Walls(1987)

    as Professor Hirsch

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • 21 Jump Street(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Warren Briggs

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • Stillwatch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Toby Wilson

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Lambert

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • SpaceCamp(1986)

    as Brennan

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Jake Speed(1986)

    as Lawrence

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Down and Out in Beverly Hills(1986)

    as Lou Waltzberg

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Equalizer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Walter Wesley

  • Brotherly Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Det. Trelska

  • MacGruder and Loud (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Sam

  • The River(1984)

    Casting Consultant · as Roy

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Det. Sgt. Len Berger

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Hunter(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Andy McBride

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Miami Vice(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as FBI Agt. Daley

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Heart of Steel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Amendola

  • Hotel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Paper Dolls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Alan

  • Portrait of a Showgirl(1982)

    as Dennis Philips

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Cagney & Lacey(1981)

    Show 11 episodes · as Dory McKenna

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • T.J. Hooker(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Martin Colson

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • On Golden Pond(1981)

    Casting

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Absence of Malice(1981)

    as Robert Waddell

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Heartland(1979)

    as Jack

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Macbeth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Banquo

  • Night Games (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Jason St. John

  • Knots Landing(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Mitch Casey

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • The Rose(1979)

    as Dennis

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Avalanche(1978)

    as Mark Elliott

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Lou Grant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Washington: Behind Closed Doors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 6 episodes · as Joe Wisnovsky

  • New York, New York(1977)

    as Paul Wilson

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Roger & Harry: The Mitera Target (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Harry Jaworsky

  • The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Autopsy(1975)

    as Father Paul Lenox

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • The Dion Brothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Tony

  • Big Rose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Ed Mills

  • The Book of Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Charlie Mariette

  • Incident at Vichy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Bayard, A Railroad Worker

  • The Streets of San Francisco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Boxcar Bertha(1972)

    as Rake Brown

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me(1971)

    as Gnossos "Paps" Pappadopoulis

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Von Richthofen and Brown(1971)

    as Hermann Goering

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Puzzle of a Downfall Child(1970)

    as Aaron Reinhardt

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Medical Center (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Brotherhood(1968)

    as Vido

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Desperate Hours (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Hank Griffin

  • The Virginian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Johnny Younce

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 88 titles from 1962 to 2025; peak year 1986.

Biggest box office

Absence of Malice (1981)

$41M worldwide

Highest rated

Faye (2024)

Midcredits 88th

Most popular right now

Eternity (2025)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19622025

Peak 1986 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting83 of 88: 82 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score48thDirecting2 of 88: 1 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting1 of 88: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing1 of 88: 1 only producing, 0 with another roleOther crew3 of 88: 2 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

1960s4 · acting1970s18 · acting1980s28 · 27 acting · 2 crew1990s19 · 16 acting · 3 crew2000s10 · 9 acting · 1 crew2010s6 · acting2020s3 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 23 roles
687888

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Barry Primus' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 40th percentile, the median of all 43; across their 29 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 44th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 29

Approval · how many liked their films

33rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 29

Reach · how many have seen their films

68thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 29

Midcredits score across 57 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up17
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th17
  • Below 25th13

Shape of the crowd

21 of their 57 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser21
  • Broadly Agreed9
  • Mixed18

Most divisive · actor

Denial (1990)

86th percentile spread · 37% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Irishman (2019)

Midcredits 97th · 84% liked

Reviewers score the acting 64/100 in their films, across 27 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 44. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Barry Primus' work okay for kids?

Across up to 13 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore6 titles16–79 · median 35 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity13 titles11–60 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity9 titles26–73 · median 49 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 35 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 36 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Barry Primus work with?

People who share at least 2 of Barry Primus' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Robert De Niro shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles