Episode 276

At Media Path, we capture the essence of classic era entertainment through interviews with icons of TV, film and music sharing behind-the-scenes stories, tracing showbiz family legacies and broadening our knowledge of pop culture.

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Before he was one of Broadway's youngest Tony nominees, the voice of Donatello, or a hot tot  recording artist, Barry Gordon was a door-to-door performing toddler, entertaining any neighbor who would answer.

Barry joins Weezy and Lisa to reflect on an extraordinary career that began when, at age three, he entered The Ted Mack Amateur Hour and placed second with his heart wrenching interpretation of Johnny Ray’s “Cry.”

Barry shares the invaluable lessons he learned from his father, whose instinctive "method" approach to acting and song interpretation encouraged him to search for the deeper meaning inside every performance. 

He explains why he considered himself a character actor even as a child, and how that mindset eased his transition into adult roles. As a small boy, Barry shared the stage and held his own with Milton Berle, Jerry Lewis, Elvis Presley, Jack Benny, Danny Thomas and Perry Como. By thirteen, he was starring on Broadway in A Thousand Clouds with Jason Robards and Sandy Dennis. Barry admits that opening night was less terrifying than his Bar Mitzvah. 

In the film version of that role, Barry was pushing fourteen and to disguise his growth spurt, Jason Robards wore lifts. Barry’s career included a record deal and the hit Christmas novelty song, “Nuttin’ for Christmas.” 

As a young adult Barry starred in sitcoms including Barney Miller, Fish and The New Dick Van Dyke Show before moving into voice work and landing the role of Donatello in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

We also take a look at his latest creative endeavor, writing and producing a new musical called Forever, which reimagines Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray as the story of a ‘60s rock star, using race as a modern parallel to the novel's themes of class and privilege.

And in IMDb Roulette, we celebrate Leave It To Beaver’s most heartbreaking guest,  child of divorce, Chopper Cooper. And, with 0 degrees of separation, Barry recognizes Lisa as a Curb cast-mate!

In media recommendations -- 

Lisa: The Rory Scovel Netflix Stand-Up Special

Weezy: PBS Masterpiece Theatre’s The Forsytes