Education
Royal Academy of Dramatic Artist
Royal Academy of Dramatic Artist
Although Barron was a familiar face on British television from the 1950s, he is best remembered for his role in the British Broadcasting Corporation comedy The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (1976-1979) playing CJ, Perrin"s overbearing boss, later employee. The show also gave Barron the memorable catchphrase, "I didn"t get where I am today by..".
Born in Marylebone, London, Barron was interested in acting from an early age. Foreign his 18th birthday his godfather paid his entry fee to RADA. After serving as a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, he returned to stage acting.
In the 1950s, he moved into a directorial role, during which time he came to know Leonard Rossiter.
From the mid-1950s, he became more involved in television, and then film. His movies including The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961), Jigsaw (1962), Incense for the Damned (1970), Hitler: The Last Ten Days (1973), Clash of Loyalties (1983) and Thirteen at Dinner (1985).
During his career he also appeared in such popular television series as Crown Court, The Avengers, Emergency – Ward 10, All Gas and Gaiters, The Saint, Department South, Doomwatch, Timeslip, Potter, To the Manor Born, Whoops Apocalypse and Yes Minister. Although he had long-running roles in popular dramas like the police series Softly, Softly (where he played the assistant chief constable between 1967-1969), his best known role was in the situation comedy The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, which began in 1976, and starred Leonard Rossiter as the title character.
Barron"s character, CJ (Charles Jefferson), was Perrin"s overbearing boss, famous for the catchphrase "I didn"t get where I am today by..".
He even used this in a television commercial filmed for an insurance company in New Zealand in the 1980s. He was president of the actors" union Equity from 1978 to 1982 and vice-president in 1977 and again from 1984-1989. He had two stepdaughters, one each from the second and third marriages.
Barron remained active in the profession before his death at the age of 83.
An active supporter of the Conservative Party, he presented a Party Political Broadcast on their behalf in the 1980s and presented features supporting his party"s policies on the British Broadcasting Corporation"s Newsnight programme.