Podtalks: Josh Mostel & Barry Dennen of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’

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Barry Dennen, Pontius Pilate in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

Barry Dennen in Chicago, circa 2013
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com



Barry Dennen had an amazing life and career – he passed away in 2017 – beginning with his birth in Chicago. In 1960, at age 22, he was auditioning in New York City when he met Barbra Streisand, then a struggling performer. They became a couple for three tumultuous years (and Dennen later wrote a book about it, “My Life with Barbra,” click here for more info). He moved from New York City to London, and seemed to be in the right place at the right time. He originated the role of the “MC” in Cabaret on the London stage, and sang Pontius Pilate in the 1969 rock opera version of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” after meeting composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice.

He had a role in the film version of “Fiddler on the Roof” when he told director Norman Jewison of Superstar, and Jewison made his next project … rewarding Dennen with his familiar role of Pilate. Throughout the rest of his career, he did smaller roles in films as diverse as “Kentucky Fried Movie” (1977), “The Shining” (1980), “Superman III” (1983) and “Titanic” (1997). Dennen’s voiceover work is also notable, contributing to “Animaniacs,” “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and two sequels to the video game “Final Fantasy.”

In a Podtalk in 2013 Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Barry Dennen comments on his role as Pilate, life in Chicago and influence on Barbra Streisand. NOTE: The second question (obscured) asks Dennen about his interpretation of Pontius Pilate.

Barry Dennen, Yvonne Elliman, Ted Neeley and Josh Mostel
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

CLICK HERE for an interview with Ted Neeley of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR.

CLICK HERE for a Podtalk with Yvonne Elliman of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and the soundtrack of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER.

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor and Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com