Barry Austin
Barry Clark Austin (born c. 1965; died April 3, 2024 in Birmingham) was a healthcare administrator and prolific stage actor.
Barry was the son of Bill and Shirley Austin. He was active with the Birmingham-Southern Theatre, graduating from Birmingham-Southern College with a bachelor of arts in musical theater in 1988. He went on to complete a master of fine arts in stage directing at the University of Alabama in 1999. He has worked as a theater instructor at Shades Valley High School. In his long career as a performer he has starred in productions at Birmingham Festival Theatre, Red Mountain Theatre Company, Summerfest, Terrific New Theatre, Town & Gown Theater, and the Virginia Samford Theatre.
Austin began working in the health care field as a cardiac transplant research assistant at UAB Medical Center. He worked in billing and software support before joining the staff at Birmingham VA Hospital in 2016 as an Advanced Medical Support Assistant. He was promoted to assistant chief of the hospital's Center for Development and Civic Engagement in 2020, and promoted to Public Affairs Specialist in January 2024.
Austin died in April 2024. A memorial service was held at Mountain Brook Baptist Church, and a tribute was organized at Red Mountain Theatre Company.