- Born
- Barry Morrow is an Emmy and Academy Award winning writer/producer best known for his original story and screenplay for the 1988 Best Picture, "Rain Man (1988)". Morrow's autobiographical story, "Bill (1981)", starring Dennis Quaid and the late Mickey Rooney, was hailed by the New York Times as Rooney's most enduring role in his 90 year career.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Paul Shrater
- Morrow pursued summer stock acting and a stint with a children's theater touring troop in Hawaii before turning to filmmaking. He was among the pioneers of the guerrilla television movement, and a founding member of UCV (Intermedia Arts) in Minneapolis.
His early documentaries focused on the plight of vanishing communities, and he taught emerging video technology at the Afro-American Cultural Arts Center before accepting a media position at the University of Iowa. His first Hollywood job was as head of film research for a television reality show, the aptly-named You Asked for It (1950).
Early film projects related to disabilities, child and elder abuse, led Barry to become an advocate for marginalized groups, and he received a lifetime achievement award from the National Association of Social Workers.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Paul Shrater
- Children
- Met Kim Peek, his inspiration for Rain Man (1988), while attending a disabilities conference in Arlington, Texas, in 1984.
- Gifted his Emmy and Oscar to civic institutions to help raise disability awareness.
- Bungee-jumped from an airport tower in a failed attempt to overcome an aversion to heights.
- Has lectured in China, Taiwan, and Japan for over 16 years.
- Father of Emmy-winning writer Clay Morrow.
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