Barry Dennen: Jesus Christ Superstar’s Pontius Pilate Has Died

Actor Barry Dennen, who portrayed Pontius Pilate in “Jesus Christ Superstars” has passed away. He was 79.

Dennen died Tuesday morning in a Burbank, California hospice facility.  Dennen had suffered a brain injury after a fall at home in June, according to Lucy Chase Williams, a close friend who confirmed Dennen’s passing to Deadline.

An actor, singer and voice artist, Barry Dennen, was born in Chicago on February 22, 1938. His family moved to Los Angeles when he was a child. After graduating from UCLA, he moved to New York City, where he began performing in workshops and on the cabaret circuit.

Dennen is survived by his sons Timothy and Barnaby, who he had adopted from his early marriage to English actress Pamela Strong. Dennen lost his life partner James McGachy to cancer in 2001. His brother, Lyle, and his wife, Xenia, live outside London.