Barry William Blenkhorn, later known as Barry Williams, was born and raised in Santa Monica, California. Growing up, he was a determined and ambitious young boy who had a passion for show business. At the tender age of four, he became fixated on becoming an actor, a dream that would eventually become a reality.
As a child, Barry was fortunate enough to live next door to the renowned actor Peter Graves, who would later become a mentor and friend. Barry would often seek advice from Graves, who would encourage him to pursue his dreams. At the age of 11, Barry made the bold decision to change his name from Barry William Blenkhorn to Barry Williams, a move that would signal the beginning of his journey as a professional actor.
With his new name and a newfound sense of purpose, Barry began taking acting classes and scene study courses in Sherman Oaks. He also enrolled in courses focused on film and television techniques, which would later serve him well in his career. Barry's hard work and dedication paid off when he landed a lead role in an educational school industrial film called "Why Johnny Can Read." This early success was followed by a string of guest roles in popular TV shows, including "Run for Your Life," "Here Come the Brides," "It Takes a Thief," "Marcus Welby, M.D.," and "Mission: Impossible."
But it was his breakout role as Greg Brady in the iconic family sitcom "The Brady Bunch" that would catapult Barry to fame. The show, which premiered in 1969, was an instant hit and ran for five seasons, cementing Barry's status as a household name. During this time, Barry and his TV siblings released a Christmas album, which unfortunately received poor reviews from critics who deemed the group's singing abilities subpar. Undeterred, Barry took singing lessons and released a solo single, "Sweet Sweetheart," in an attempt to revive his music career.
After "The Brady Bunch" ended its run in 1974, Barry transitioned to a successful career in musical theater, landing roles in numerous productions, including "Pippin," "West Side Story," "Oklahoma," "Movie Star," "Grease," "The Music Man," "Romance/Romance," "City of Angels," and "The Sound of Music." In addition to his stage work, Barry continued to make appearances on TV, including roles on "Police Woman," "Three's Company," "Highway to Heaven," "Murder, She Wrote," and a stint on the daytime soap "General Hospital."
In 1978, Barry attempted to launch a solo music career, signing with Private Stock records. Unfortunately, the label went out of business before he could release any music. However, in 1999, Barry released a tribute album called "The Return of Johnny Bravo," which featured cover songs that showcased his vocal range and celebrated the 30th anniversary of "The Brady Bunch."
Today, Barry Williams continues to tour with his music, perform in musical theater productions, and make public appearances. Despite the ups and downs of his career, Barry remains a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, cherished for his talent, dedication, and enduring legacy as Greg Brady.
