Like That Scene in the Movie ‘Heat’ – Remember that pivotal scene in the movie Heat, where Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro end up sitting across from each other at a diner? Do you remember how intense it was to see two of the world’s most famous actors in the same scene? Well, this photo is a parallel scenario. While visiting the Sydney Zoo, Todd got to be face-to-face with a Koala. Two of the world’s cutest creatures, together for the first time!!!
Candid Billiards Shot – Photographer Seth Olenick accosted Todd while he was playing — make that hustling — pool. When Todd isn’t doing comedy he loves playing — make that hustling — pool. If you meet Todd on the road, feel free to challenge him to a round of pool, but keep this in mind: you will lose and you will be hustled.
Looking Away (But Not Going Away, Don’t Worry) – Some of Todd’s favorite photographs are of people looking away. They could look right into the camera, but they choose not to. In this photograph, taken by Jody Sugrue, Todd is looking away. What was he looking at? Why was he looking away? Will he ever tell?
Poor, Sad Todd – Photographer Heather Johnson snagged this incredibly revealing shot of Todd, at his poorest and saddest. Look at him, standing alone, holding a broken umbrella in the middle of an abandoned handball court. Don’t you wish you could turn back the hands of time, and hand Todd your non-broken umbrella, then saunter over to a nearby cafe for the coffee beverage of your choice? This photograph underscores the notion that show business is not always glamorous, especially for a tortured soul like Todd.
Out Of Order (But Still Photogenic) – Edinburgh, Scotland is a photographer’s dream. From the glorious castles, to the well-dressed drunk men abandoned by their friends and left passed out on a staircase at 5 AM — there’s scenery everywhere. For that reason it’s just extra fascinating that Todd chose to grab a shot of this wonderfully worded ‘out of order’ sign, posted in a public restroom.
Smiling Through My Makeup – Todd was recently flown to Hoboken, New Jersey, to sit in on drums with Yo La Tengo. The band thought it would be funny to have Todd wear Peter Criss makeup, but Todd didn’t think that was enough, so he wore the full KISS costume, complete with yellow oxford shirt and gray cordroys pants.
Busted – When Todd said he had to ‘go for a walk’ to ‘clear his head’, everyone knew what that meant. He was heading for Sydney, Australia, to feed some giraffes. Todd’s friends wish he would just be more forthcoming about the wonderful, organic connection he shares with nature’s tall-necked beauties.
Pee Shy Person’s Nightmare – Some people get ‘pee shy’ in public restrooms. It’s not usually a big deal. You just wait it out and hope no one else walks in. But imagine standing at a urinal, facing a poster announcing an upcoming Todd Barry appearance in Burlington, Vermont. You’d want to get out of there so quickly to buy tickets, that your pee shyness would probably become exacerbated. But don’t worry, if that show sells out, Todd will probably add another one to accomodate his pee shy fans.
Accidental New Age Shot – While staying on the 18th floor of a Baltimore hotel, Todd decided to try the ‘self-timer’ function on his camera. Since his room had a beautiful view of the harbor, he thought it would be a great idea to pose in front of his window on this beautiful, sunny day. Unfortunately, the harbor and the sun worked in concert to create this NEW AGEY shot of Todd. Note the slight glow around Todd’s tender-soft belly.
Todd’s Refrigerator – Todd’s refrigerator. It looks like yours — covered with magnets and various notes and bills. But inside, it’s a whole different story. Does your refrigerator have seven bottles of French champagne sitting next to a nine-pound box of Belgian Chocolates? And what’s in the freezer? That’s right. A two gallon tub of your favorite flavor ice cream, flown in on dry ice, from a top European creamery.
T.O.D.D.R.E.M. – This early 80’s photo of Todd with REM’s Mike Mills and Peter Buck, portends Todd’s later association with big time show business. It was taken after an REM concert in Boca Raton, FL. The flyer in Peter Buck’s pants is for Todd’s former band, The Chant. That’s Chant guitarist
Little Todd/Big Fish – Todd would be a bit uncomfortable about fishing now, but there was a time when he wasn’t. Here’s Todd with the African Pompano he caught in Florida.
Parisian Sunset – Here’s a picture of Todd, taken on his recent trip to Paris. Note the huge orange streak. This was not a mistake caused by Todd’s shitty camera. It was an intentional choice made by Todd, a visionary photographic subject.
Traditional Todd – Todd knows when to shake things up, and when to enjoy the simple things. Like fresh cut flowers and a glass of fresh cut wine.
31 Flavors of Todd – What’s cuter than Todd Barry eating ice cream? Nothing on God’s green earth. Enjoy this photo.
Todd with Fan – No fancy caption necessary. Just a really sexy photo of Todd standing next to a fan.
Careful Where You Look, Jon Stewart – Todd Barry’s ‘no eye contact before a show’rule is one of the most rigid in the business. He expects everyone to adhere to it, even people he’s opening for. This photo was taken backstage at the Byham Theater in Pittsburgh, February, ’98.
Chicago Hotel – Todd Barry stayed in this Chicago hotel. Go there now. Figure out which room he stayed in. Check in to that room. Feel the history.
One of Todd’s Old Headshots – The revolutionary cropping and slight smile made this the talk of the New York head shot community.
How Todd Makes the Bulk of his Money – You may have seen Todd perform in small comedy club. Well, consider yourself lucky, because Todd makes the lion’s share of his money playing big arenas, like the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State University.
Todd in Tux – Here’s a picture of Todd, standing next to his pal Andy Kindler, backstage at the Friar’s Club Roast of Chevy Chase. Look at Todd’s mock expression of surprise. If you could bottle that look, you would.
Fly on the Wall in Todd’s Apt – You’ve probably said to yourself, ‘I’d love to be a fly on the wall in Todd’s apartment, so I could hear him writing his amazing act, as well as the sounds of sweet lovemaking emanating from his bedroom.’ Well this picture shows what happened when Todd was inexplicably inundated with a wave of flies. The flies are gone now, but all the sounds remain.
Todd’s on the Pipe – This just looks like an ordinary picture of the Alaska Pipeline. But it was taken by Todd, who was alone at the time. Can you imagine driving by the Alaska Pipeline and seeing a lone man standing next to his rental car, camera in hand? You look closer and it’s comedian Todd Barry, alone in Alaska. You wouldn’t know whether to cry or weep.
Todd’s Angry – Photographer Will Becton caught Todd in the totally candid shot — mid-anger! Someone must have really done Todd wrong before this was snapped!
Yo La Tengo had no Choice-o – Imagine you’re in a band. You already have a drummer, but you see hot session drummer Todd Barry in the crowd. How do you handle this? You invite him up to play bongos! They’re drums, too!
The Best Picture of Todd – This photograph, taken by Ali Farahnakian, is probably the hottest picture of Todd ever taken. It’s hotter than any photo of Todd you may have seen in a men’s fashion magazine, or hanging in a gallery in Berlin. That’s Jackie Hoffman and Robert Smigel in the background.
Are We Done? – Every second Todd spends being photographed is a second he could spend writing more of his famous ‘life-affirming/changing’ comedy. That explains the ‘playfully fed-up’ look on his face in this gorgeous photograph, taken by Francine Daveta
You’re Welcome, Parents – If your child has fully grasped the importance of the number seven, you have only one person to thank: Todd Barry. His portrayal of ‘Lucky #7’ on ‘Sesame Street’ put that number on the map. Your children, and probably even you, could couldn’t count past six before Todd came into the picture.
Desert Island Supergroup – If you were stranded on a desert island, and could create a band to play while you starved to death… who would be in it? How about Yo La Tengo, Alex Chilton, and Todd Barry, who recently played T Rex’s ‘Jeepester’ at Maxwell’s in Hoboken, New Jersey. Photo by Jacob Blickenstaff.
Anniversary Treat – Todd needed a treat for fans at his ’20th Anniversary in Comedy’ show in November of 2007. Imagine his delight when he passed a bakery window and saw cupcakes with his photograph airbrushed on top. Todd walked into that bakery — and after the cashier was revived by paramedics — bought a hundred of them. He passed them out to delighted audience members who never thought a cupcake could appeal equally to their senses of sight and gustation.
Softer Than An Autograph Book – Todd has a signed lots of autographs in his career. A lot. Probably more than Madonna and Rick Sanchez combined. But even he was taken aback, when a Seattle fan asked to him to autograph a dog. But don’t worry animal-lovers, Todd autographed the little pooch using the same gentle touch he uses when a burly biker asks hims to autograph his girlfriend’s firm, pouting, tee-tas.
Picture of My Back – Todd’s breakout performance in ‘The Wrestler’ led him to the Venice International Film Festval. You’d think Todd would’ve basked in the glory of walking the red carpet, but check out this photo of Todd turning his back on the throng of paparazzi. No wonder he never graced the cover of ‘Bell ‘Italia’ magazine.
Bathroom Ambush – Comedian Louis CK ambushed Todd during one the most tender, private moments in a man’s life: washing his hands after using the bathroom. Sure, you’re probably angry at Louis for violating Todd’s privacy, but look on the bright side: at least you know you’re holding a clean hand as you’re led on a stroll though the local botanical gardens.
No Italian Questions – Todd must have nailed his performance in ‘The Wrestler’ because reporters at the film’s Venice press conference had no questions for him whatsoever. You’d think at least one of them would’ve asked: Perché è stata la sua performance in modo perfetto?
