This introduction to "Barry Brown & Co." (the official fan
magazine of Barry Brown's Fan Club) will help acquaint the
reader with the individual to whom it is dedicated: the late
actor Barry Brown (1951-1978). 

Barry gave his approval to establishing this fan club,
with the proviso that it not cast him  in the mold of a "teen
heartthrob," but rather record and discuss his work in 
numerous TV shows and films.

Barry's express goal in life was not to be adulated as a
celebrity, but to be remembered as a serious actor. Barry
dedicated his life to pursuing this objective, infusing each
performance with a part of his soul.

Barry Brown was a most unusual person: handsome,
intellectually gifted, and extremely talented. But, in the show
business world, he was the rarest of the rare: a modest, self-
effacing individual, keenly sensitive, and deeply solicitious of
the feelings of others. In this industry, where egoism and
egotism are the prevailing "virtues" - Barry Brown's humility
shone like a lonely beacon.

One of Barry's most outstanding characteristics was to stand
aside, and let another enjoy the accolades.

This was demonstrated admirably at a fan club convention when
the President of Barry Brown's Fan Club, Wayne Lawless,won the
award that year for "Best New Club."

Unaccustomed to the spotlight, Wayne was too shy to
acknowledge the honor, but Barry Brown immediately mounted
the podium and, in a heartfelt speech gave full credit to his fan
club president, telling the audience how special Wayne was, and
how much he (Barry) appreciated all the work being done in his
behalf.

The convention ended with a screening of Barry's favorite "Mod
Squad" episode, 'The Judas Trap," in which he played Dana
Sterling, a mentally-retarded boy accused of his father's murder.

But in his typically modest fashion, Barry Brown (not wishing to
detract from the luster of his friend's success that evening)
quietly withdrew, and left...

Unfortunately, this fan club magazine (and accompanying signed
picture,which was provided to Barry's fans) are both as unique
as Barry Brown was: they are all that is left, intact, of the fan
club.

"Barry Brown & Co." is not your usual fan magazine, replete with
trivia about the actor's astrological sign or his favorite color.
Instead, it provided some unusual features.

One unusual feature (underscoring Barry Brown's sense of
consideration) was the Celebrity Guest feature. (The first issue
spotlighted John Rubenstein, who performed with Barry in
"The Psychiatrist.") Barry insisted that a performer with whom
he had worked and/or one whose work was important to him
be featured in each issue.

Also, in an unique reversal of the usual prominent mini-
biography of the star, a special member was featured instead,
with accompanying trivia.

Barry Brown always made an especial effort to meet fans who
came from out of town to visit him, and indicated that he read
any and all critiques of his work in order to perfect his acting
skills so that he might turn out the best possible performances
for the most important people in his life - his audience.

Unlike some so-called "stars" in the business, Barry did not
exploit his fans' devotion to feed his own self-interest; he
genuinely cared for, respected, and cherished those fans - which
is why, even today, his memory inspires such deep emotions
in his loyal fans.

An excerpt from Barry's letter to his fans in this issue is
characteristic of his feelings. There is no sense of  self-
aggrandizement; in fact, he reproached himself for his
performance in the movie "The Bravos," because he felt that he
had let his fans down!

Barry asked the fans to critique his work, and apologized thusly:

"Anyway, now that I've probably depressed the hell out of you -

"No, no kidding. It's better to start out a relationship in bad
times that are honest, than in good times that are lies.

"I'm just glad you people are with me."

Words that were from his heart - touchingly, sincerely honest.

Yes Barry, we are still with you; we will never leave you.

So now, I give you someone who was: a loyal brother, devoted
friend, playwright, film historian, but above all, ACTOR -
Barry Brown.