Barnard Hughes began his acting career with the Shakespeare Fellowship Repertory company in New York City. Since then, he has played more than 400 roles on the stage alone, including "Da" which he also filmed. Among his other roles are Polonius to Stacy Keach's "Hamlet", Dogberry in the New York Shakespeare Festival production of "Much Ado About Nothing" and off-Broadway performances in "Uncle Vanya" (directed by Mike Nichols), "A Doll's House", "Hogan's Goat", "The Three Sisters", "The Devil's Disciple" and "Translations".

On Broadway, he appeared in the hit play "Prelude to a Kiss" after completing a run of "You Can't Take It With You" at Dublin's Abbey Theatre. On screen, he created his first big impact in Midnight Cowboy. Since then, his films have included The Lost Boys, First Monday in October, Tron and The Hospital. Among his television credits are the series The Cavanaughs, Mr. Merlin and Doc.