Harold Pincus is the father of Barry Alan Pincus best known as Barry Manilow. Harold’s son Barry is an American singer and songwriter. With a career spanning decades, the music icon is known for hits like “Could It Be Magic”, “Looks Like We Made It”, “Mandy”, “I Write the Songs”, “Can’t Smile Without You”, “Weekend in New England” and “Copacabana (At the Copa)”.
Harold Pincus: Bio Summary
| Name | Harold Pincus |
| Famous as | father of Barry Manilow |
| Date of birth | 26 November 1920 |
| Place of birth | Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Died | 11 June 1995 (aged 74) |
| Spouse | Edna Manilow |
| Children | Barry Manilow |
| Parents | Anna Sheehan and Harry Pincus |
Who Was Barry Manilow’s Father, Harold Pincus?
Harold Pincus also known as Harold Lawrence Keliher (Pincus) was born on 26 November 1920, in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA. He was born to a Jewish father and an Irish-American Catholic mother. He was the son of Harry Pincus and Anna “Annie” Sheehan and the brother of Harry Pincus. He was an American of Irish descent.
Harold was married to Edna Manilow. According to sources, Edna made Harold change his name to Pincus, which was the name of his Jewish uncle from the 1800s. However, the record has been disputed. Findagrave has it that Harold L Keliher was born Harold Lawrence Pincus and was known as Harold Pincus before he even married Edna Manilow.
“Kelleher” was the last name of Harold’s stepfather. Harold Pincus’ biological father left his family and when he was reportedly ten years old, his mother remarried a Keliher. In May 1936, Harold then 15, ran away from home after his mother told him off. He got badly injured after his foot was trapped by a train coupling near Trenton New Jersey.
Doctors had feared at the time that he might lose his foot. While much is unknown about Harold’s early life and upbringing, he became a truck driver. He made Edna Manilow his wife in the year 1942. On June 17, 1943, they welcomed a son in New York City, US. Their son who was named Barry Alan Pincus grew up in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Harold and his wife Edna’s marriage was private. Their union began to fall apart at some point. Eventually, Harold and Edna got divorced when their son Barry was at a young age. Edna’s Jewish family decided not to allow contact between Harold and his son Barry. Harold wasn’t allowed to have a relationship with his son whose name is now Barry Manilow.
ALSO, READ: Edna Manilow: Who Was Barry Manilow’s Mother?
Barry was reportedly raised by his mother and grandparents. Barry once told the Irish Independent: “The fact that Harold was an Irish truck-driver was hidden from the family. It was considered a terrible thing for my mother to have done. They wouldn’t even allow my name to be Kelliher.”
“They changed it immediately. When I was born, I was called Barry Pincus. They had to dig deep into my father’s family to find one Jewish relative. They went back to the 1800s and they found one uncle, a Jewish guy called Pincus. My mother made my father change his name to Pincus.” Barry added: “Right now it sounds stupid but back then they thought that having a Jewish son was the most important thing.”
“To me, it means nothing. As a matter of fact, it would have been interesting if my name was Barry Kelliher and if I was raised half-Irish and half-Jewish, but I wasn’t. The Irish part of me did not exist. It was gone and forgotten.” Growing up, Barry Manilow was told that his biological father was ‘a monster father.’
“That’s what I was told, and also that I shouldn’t have anything to do with him,” Barry said. “I don’t think he was a monster father at all.’ There is a touch of tenderness in his tone as he recalls him. ‘I think he was a good guy. He tried to get in touch with me, but they wouldn’t let him in my world.”
Harold Pincus tried his best to get close to his son. On Barry’s 11th birthday, Harold met Barry, gave him a tape recorder, and he “ran away and got back into his truck.” The father and son didn’t see each other for many years after that. Barry said his family “just would not allow me to have anything to do with him.”
Years later, Barry saw his father Harold Pincus another time, when he was an adult and his father came to see his show. “He came backstage after a show – a quick conversation,” Barry said. “He kept trying to get into my life, but it was just too late, too late”. After Harold Pincus and Edna Manilow got divorced, Edna is said to have remarried Willie Murphy.
Harold was also married to Anna B. Keliher. He has another son called Tim Keliher.
ALSO, READ: Susan Deixler: Inside The Life Of Barry Manilow’s Ex-wife
What Happened To Barry Manilow’s Father?
Harold Pincus died on 11 June 1995, in North Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada, USA. He was 74 years old when he died. The cause of his death is unknown. He is buried at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City, Clark County, Nevada, USA. His former wife Edna Manilow died on 8 September 1994, at age 71, in Florida, USA.
Author
Fact Check
We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right and needs corrections, Kindly contact us!
