Gene Barry had three children. Two sons, and one adopted daughter, all with his wife of nearly six decades, Betty Claire Kalb. Public records and his 2009 obituaries name them as Michael, Fredric (sometimes spelled Frederick), and Elizabeth.
Not much has been reported about their adult lives beyond that. So here’s what’s actually confirmed.
Quick Answer
- Three children — two sons, one daughter
- Michael Barry, born 1946, went on to work as a writer and director
- Fredric Barry (also spelled Frederick in some sources), born 1953
- Elizabeth “Liza” Barry, adopted by the couple in 1967
- Mother: Betty Claire Kalb, Barry’s wife from 1944 until her death in 2003
- No verified reporting on the children’s current whereabouts or occupations beyond Michael’s film work
Quick Facts
| Children | 3 (2 sons, 1 adopted daughter) |
| Sons | Michael Barry (b. 1946), Fredric Barry (b. 1953) |
| Daughter | Elizabeth “Liza” Barry (adopted 1967) |
| Mother | Betty Claire Kalb (stage name Julie Carson), m. October 22, 1944, until her death January 31, 2003 |
| Grandchildren | Three, per Barry’s 2009 obituary |
| Great-grandchildren | Two, per the same obituary |
How Many Children Did Gene Barry Have
Barry and Kalb had two sons together. Michael was born in 1946, Fredric in 1953. They later adopted a daughter, Elizabeth, in 1967.
That’s three children total. IMDb, Barry’s Associated Press obituary, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame biography all agree on that count.
The younger son’s name gets spelled two ways. Some sources use “Fredric,” others use “Frederick.” Encyclopedia.com lists him as “Fredric James.” The AP obituary and Legacy.com both use “Fredric.” IMDb uses “Frederick” in one place.
Celebtually is going with “Fredric” here, since it’s the more consistently sourced spelling. But readers searching either version are looking for the same person.
Michael Barry: The Son Who Became a Director
Of the three children, Michael is the one with an actual public paper trail. That’s because he worked in the same industry as his father.
IMDb’s trivia page for Gene Barry credits Michael as writer and director of the 1974 film The Second Coming of Suzanne. Gene Barry appeared in it himself. The elder Barry reportedly formed his own production company, Barry Films, around that project.
Beyond that film credit, though, there’s no substantial reporting on Michael Barry’s later career or personal life.
Fredric and Elizabeth: Kept Out of the Press
Fredric Barry and Elizabeth “Liza” Barry don’t have the same kind of public record. What’s known about Elizabeth comes mostly from a handful of 1980s photos.
These show her at industry events with her father. One example: a 1984 party hosted by Liza Minnelli. An Associated Press photo caption places Elizabeth alongside Gene Barry there.
Neither Fredric nor Elizabeth appears to have pursued a public-facing career the way Michael did. So Celebtually isn’t going to guess at what they’ve done with their lives since. If either has spoken publicly about it, that reporting isn’t turning up in reputable sources.
Are Gene Barry’s Children Still Alive Today
This isn’t something Celebtually can confirm either way.
Some aggregator sites list current ages for Michael and Frederick. Those numbers come from simple math on their birth years, though. That’s not the same as a sourced confirmation that they’re living.
No obituary, interview, or news report turned up in research for this article addressing their current status. So readers should treat any “still alive” claim about them — including automatically generated ages — with caution until a named source confirms it.
FAQs
How many children did Gene Barry have?
Three: two biological sons and one adopted daughter.
What are Gene Barry’s children’s names?
Michael, Fredric (also spelled Frederick in some sources), and Elizabeth “Liza.”
Did Gene Barry adopt a child?
Yes. He and his wife, Betty Claire Kalb, adopted their daughter Elizabeth in 1967, after already having two biological sons.
Who was the mother of Gene Barry’s children?
Betty Claire Kalb, an actress who performed under the stage name Julie Carson. She and Barry married in 1944 and stayed married until her death in 2003.
Is Michael Barry a filmmaker?
He’s credited as writer and director of the 1974 film The Second Coming of Suzanne, in which his father appeared, according to IMDb.
Are Gene Barry’s children still alive?
Not confirmed. No reputable, named source addresses their current status.
Does Gene Barry have grandchildren?
His 2009 Associated Press obituary lists three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren at the time of his death.
Key Takeaways
- Gene Barry had three children with his wife, Betty Claire Kalb: sons Michael (b. 1946) and Fredric (b. 1953), and adopted daughter Elizabeth (adopted 1967).
- Michael Barry is the only one of the three with a documented public career, having directed a film his father appeared in.
- Fredric and Elizabeth have stayed largely out of the press.
- Current claims about the children’s ages or living status aren’t independently confirmed and should be read with caution.
Conclusion
Gene Barry’s family life stayed mostly out of the spotlight, even after his death in 2009. What’s confirmed is limited. Three children. Their birth and adoption years. One son’s film credit. Celebtually isn’t filling in the rest with guesswork.
Facts current as of August 14, 2026. Sourced from Gene Barry’s Associated Press obituary, IMDb, the Hollywood Walk of Fame biography, and Encyclopedia.com.
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