05-03 Happy birthday to the late Barry Russo, Born: May 3, 1925 and passed away on December 13, 2003.
Barry Russo, also known as John Duke Russo, is an actor who appeared twice on Star Trek: The Original Series. He first played Lieutenant Commander Giotto in the first season episode “The Devil in the Dark”. He then went on to play Commodore Robert Wesley in the second season episode “The Ultimate Computer”. Russo filmed his scenes for “The Ultimate Computer” on Tuesday 12 December 1967 at Desilu Stage 9.
The majority of Russo’s additional work are guest appearances on other television shows throughout the 1960s, including Twelve O’Clock High, The F.B.I., Get Smart, The Fugitive, The Invaders, My Favorite Martian starring Ray Walston, and Mission: Impossible, which, like the original Star Trek, was originally produced by Desilu Studios. Throughout this period, he was sometimes credited as “John Duke.” He was also credited occasionally as “J. Duke Russo”.
Besides his guest appearances, he was also a regular on a series called The Young Marrieds from 1964 through 1966. Fellow TOS guest star Lee Meriwether was also a regular on this program, albeit only during the show’s first year.
Russo also appeared in the 1972 feature film The Man. This film also co-starred fellow TOS alumni William Windom, Janet MacLachlan, and Garry Walberg. Robert DoQui had a role in the film, as well. Russo subsequently co-starred in the 1973 film The Don Is Dead and then had a brief role in 1975’s Hustle. The latter film featured Paul Winfield and David Spielberg in supporting roles.
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