Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, January 22, 1994                   TAG: 9401220356
SECTION: SPECTATOR                    PAGE: S-20   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JACKIE HYMAN ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES                                LENGTH: Medium

GENE BARRY RETURNS AS RICH DETECTIVE AFTER 30 YEARS

"I certainly wasn't going to let anybody else play it," the veteran actor said with a mischievous smile.

"Plus the fact that an actor grows fond of the roles that he plays in life," he said, "and particularly one that is remembered. There's always that nostalgic feeling you have about the time when you play it, and the character."

The new "Burke's Law" airs Friday nights on CBS (at 9 on WDBJ-Channel 7). Since the series' run in the 1960s - on ABC - millionaire detective Amos Burke has gained a son, played by Peter Barton. The series also features Dom DeLuise in a recurring and often hilarious role as a chef.

Producer Aaron Spelling, who worked with Barry on the original series, asked him to return.

"We did the pilot and it was received by CBS positively right at the showing," said Barry, 73. "I'm very excited about it. It reactivates all of the creative juices that I've got and the work ethic is becoming once more there in full bloom."

Achieving stardom in "Burke's Law" and the earlier series "Bat Masterson" made dreams come true for Barry, who has vivid memories of hard times as a child.

"I am a Depression baby and I remember my Dad losing his business, losing his home," he said. "It was a victory (to achieve success). It was something beyond my wildest ken."

Picking up the character of Burke again came easily, even after 30 years.

"As a matter of fact, I think I've improved my characterization," Barry said. "I think maturity has brought more tastefulness to my interpretation. . . . It gives me just a little bit of control that maybe I didn't have as a younger actor."

The son's character has replaced a police officer who served as Burke's sidekick.

"He was a very eager beaver kind of guy and he would try to do things ahead of me," Barry said. "That part of the character has crept into my son's attitude but now, as a son, I can give him some fatherly advice and we have a back-and-forth camaraderie."

Barry hasn't yet achieved all his goals.

"I've always thought to direct," he said. "I directed a play or two that I did with my wife through the years. I never directed in film because my agents would always say, `It'll get in the way of your acting career.' Well, other things get in the way of your acting career. Maybe it would have helped my career."