Geoffrey Barr; Manager of Jean Simmons, Other Performers

Geoffrey Barr, 70, personal manager who guided the careers of actress Jean Simmons and others, often urging them to try television. While in the Army during World War II, Barr earned the Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart and Bronze Star. After graduating from Northwestern University in speech and drama, Barr headed for Broadway, where he began his career as an actor in “Darkness at Noon.” Later he worked as assistant to Broadway producer Cheryl Crawford. He began persuading reluctant stage performers to try television when he was hired as head of CBS’s story department. In the mid-1960s, Barr segued to personal management when actress Constance Bennett said she needed him to get her career out of “slowville.” Most often associated with Miss Simmons, Barr also managed Nancy Walker, Elaine Stritch, Charles Nelson Reilly, Paul Lynde and Glynis Johns. On Jan. 4 in Beverly Hills of cancer.