Tony Barrett (May 24, 1916 – November 16, 1974) was an American actor who, after a long career playing screen villains, found his greatest success behind the scenes as a prolific and respected writer and producer for television.
Beginning in the late 1930s, Barrett became a familiar face in crime dramas and film noirs, typically typecast as a cynical henchman or tough guy. He appeared in numerous films, including several entries in the Dick Tracy series, and worked steadily as a character actor for two decades.
In the late 1950s, he transitioned to screenwriting and became a major creative force in television. He penned scripts for many classic detective series, including Peter Gunn and 77 Sunset Strip, and was a writer and producer for the groundbreaking and hugely popular series The Mod Squad. His writing credits also include the 1967 Sonny & Cher film, Good Times.
