Barry Primus: Movies & Box Office
- films
- 36
- on screen
- 1970–2025
- box office
- $172M
- average score
- 67
- Born
- February 16, 1938 (age 88)
- Birthplace
- New York City, New York, U.S.
- Citizenship
- American
- Occupations
- Actor,Director,Writer
- Years active
- 1963-present
- Spouses
- Julie Arenal
The Best Barry Primus Movies
The films of Barry Primus that made the most at the worldwide box office, biggest first: Absence of Malice (1981) leads with $40.7M. The full ranking adds the most awarded films and the newest releases.
-
Worldwide box office: $40.7M Absence of Malice 1981 · Drama -
Worldwide box office: $40.2M Big Business 1988 · Comedy -
Worldwide box office: $35.9M Eternity 2025 · Comedy -
Worldwide box office: $16.4M New York, New York 1977 · Drama -
Worldwide box office: $11.5M The River 1984 · Drama -
Worldwide box office: $9.7M SpaceCamp 1986 · Adventure
Barry Primus's Career in Numbers
Barry Primus's films in numbers — as an actor, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres Barry Primus works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from Puzzle of a Downfall Child (1970) to Eternity (2025), and the 1980s were the busiest decade.
Barry Primus Movies by Decade
- 1970s 9
- 1980s 13
- 1990s 6
- 2000s 2
- 2010s 1
- 2020s 3
The 1980s were Barry Primus's busiest decade, with 13 films.
Barry Primus Movies by Genre
- Drama 17
- Comedy 4
- Tv movie 4
- Action 3
- Crime 2
- Thriller 2
- Horror 1
- Adventure 1
Drama is the genre Barry Primus has worked in most, with 17 films, ahead of comedy (4).
Barry Primus Career Milestones
- First film
- Puzzle of a Downfall Child 1970
- Biggest box office hit
- Absence of Malice $40.7M worldwide
- Best-rated film
- Eternity Movie Echo Score 75
- Newest film
- Eternity 2025
Barry Primus Filmography: Every Movie
Every film Barry Primus is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. Rated films average a score of 67. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.
Barry Primus Movies as an Actor
34- 2025
Eternity as Older Larry · Comedy Worldwide box office: $35.9M Movie Echo Score: 75 - 2022
The Prank as George Wheeler · Crime Worldwide box office: $2.86K Movie Echo Score: 60 - 2020
Arkansas as Old Greek · Drama Worldwide box office: $129K Movie Echo Score: 55 - 2019
Rock Bottom Comedy - 2005
Break a Leg as Ira Goldstein · Comedy - 2001
James Dean as Nicholas Ray · Tv movie - 1997
Gold Coast as Ed Grossi · Tv movie - 1996
Crime of the Century as Ellis Parker · Tv movie - 1995
Trade Off as Detective Gold · Drama - 1992
Night and the City Drama Worldwide box office: $6.2M - 1991
Guilty by Suspicion Drama Worldwide box office: $9.48M - 1990
Denial as Jay · Drama - 1989
Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death Action - 1988
Big Business Comedy Worldwide box office: $40.2M - 1987
The Stranger as Sergeant Drake · Thriller - 1987
Talking Walls as Professor Hirsch · Drama - 1987
Stillwatch as Toby Wilson · Horror - 1986
SpaceCamp Adventure Worldwide box office: $9.7M - 1986
Jake Speed Action Worldwide box office: $1.94M - 1984
The River as Roy · Drama Worldwide box office: $11.5M - 1982
Paper Dolls as Alan · Drama - 1982
Portrait of a Showgirl as Dennis Philips · Tv movie - 1981
Absence of Malice Drama Worldwide box office: $40.7M - 1981
Macbeth as Banquo · Drama - 1980
Night Games as Jason St. John · Drama - 1979
Heartland as Jack · Drama - 1978
Avalanche as Mark Elliott · Action - 1977
New York, New York Drama Worldwide box office: $16.4M - 1977
Washington: Behind Closed Doors as Joe Wisnovsky · Drama - 1975
Autopsy as Father Paul Lenox · Thriller - 1974
The Dion Brothers as Tony · Crime - 1972
Boxcar Bertha Drama Worldwide box office: $6.44K - 1971
Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me as Gnossos "Paps" Pappadopoulis · Drama - 1970
Puzzle of a Downfall Child as Aaron Reinhardt · Drama
Barry Primus in Documentaries & Specials
2Who Is Barry Primus?
Barry Primus was born in New York City, New York, U.S. in 1938 and is 88 years old. Credited on films since 1970, as an actor. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.
Barry Primus, born February 16, 1938, is an acclaimed American television and film actor, director, and writer. He first made his mark in the entertainment industry as a stage actor in the early 1960s, later gaining television experience in shows like The Defenders, East Side/West Side, and The Virginian. Primus debuted on film with 'The Brotherhood' in 1968. Since then, he has been a part of numerous notable films including 'Boxcar Bertha' (1972), 'Autopsy' (1975), 'Heartland' (1979), 'The Rose' (1979), 'Night Games' (1980), 'Absence of Malice' (1981), and 'Guilty by Suspicion' (1991). Primus also featured in the TV series Cagney and Lacey (1982 — 1988) playing Sergeant Dory Mckenna, a police officer struggling with drug addiction.
After participating as second unit director in 'The Rose' (1979), Primus gradually increased his contributions behind the camera. He made his directorial debut with the 1992 Hollywood comedy/drama 'Mistress'. A member of the Actor's Studio, Barry has taught acting and directing classes at prestigious institutions like the American Film Institute, Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, UCLA, and Columbia University. He also gives lectures at Loyola Marymount University and The Maine Media Workshops. Recently, Primus has worked in films such as 'Jackson', 'Righteous Kill', 'American Hustle', 'Grudge Match', and 'The Irishman'. He has been married to choreographer Julie Arenal for over five decades.
Who Barry Primus Makes Movies With
The actors and directors Barry Primus shares the most films with. Robert De Niro comes first, with 3 films together, followed by Rita Moreno (3).
Barry Primus: Questions & Answers
How many movies Barry Primus has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.
How many movies has Barry Primus been in?
Barry Primus is credited on 36 films, from 1970 to 2025. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.
What is Barry Primus's highest-grossing movie?
Absence of Malice (1981) is Barry Primus's biggest box office hit, with $40.7M worldwide, ahead of Big Business (1988) ($40.2M). Across every film with box office figures, Barry Primus's movies have made $172M.
Barry Primus's biggest hits What is the best Barry Primus movie?
By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, Barry Primus's best-rated film is Faye (2024) with a score of 78, followed by Eternity (2025) (75).
Best Barry Primus movies, ranked How old is Barry Primus?
Barry Primus is 88 years old, born on February 16, 1938 in New York City, New York, U.S..
What is Barry Primus's newest movie?
The most recent film on Barry Primus's filmography is Eternity (2025), in the role of Older Larry.
Who does Barry Primus work with most often?
Barry Primus shares the most films with Robert De Niro (3 films), Rita Moreno (3 films) and Mark Rydell (3 films).
The Best Barry Primus Movies, Ranked
Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 36 credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
