Barry Orton
Randal Berry Orton (May 28, 1958 – March 19, 2021), known professionally as Barry Orton or Barry O, was an American professional wrestler and actor.[1] He was born into the Orton wrestling family as the son of veteran wrestler Bob Orton Sr. and brother to Bob Orton Jr., positioning him as uncle to WWE performer Randy Orton.[2] Orton debuted in professional wrestling in 1976 after training with Bob Roop and Tully Blanchard, competing primarily in regional territories under various ring names including Zodiac and Superstar Barry O.[2] Orton's wrestling career featured early successes such as winning the Americas Tag Team Championship with Hector Guerrero at age 19 and the ICW Southeastern Tag Team Championship alongside his brother Bob Orton Jr.[2] He later performed as enhancement talent in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) during 1985–1986 and 1990–1991, often in preliminary matches, and headlined events in promotions like Stampede Wrestling as the masked Zodiak in 1987.[2] Additionally, he teamed with Jody Hamilton as the Masked Assassin in Jim Crockett Promotions.[2] In 1991–1992, Orton gained media attention through appearances discussing industry issues, including on The Phil Donahue Show.[3] Transitioning from wrestling, Orton pursued acting under the name Barrymore Barlow, appearing in minor roles related to wrestling programming and independent films such as the methamphetamine awareness project Tweak the Heat, which he also directed and which featured fellow wrestlers.[3] He also engaged in music as a performer.[4] Orton's career reflected a journeyman path in wrestling territories before shifting to entertainment ambitions initially intended as a short-term pursuit for financial gain.[2]