Background Information
Chuck Barris is inextricably linked with the American pop television culture of the past 60 years. His name was made world famous by numerous television shows, and recently, the 2017 film ‘The Gong Show Movie,’ about his life and career. However, in more recent times, the concept of Barris being a CIA Hitman has been brought to the forefront. Rumours that Barris was an assassin for the CIA first originated in the 2002 autobiography he wrote
Rumours
Paul Winley, the federal agent, approached Barris to ask him about the rumours. After receiving some intense questioning, Barris admitted that he believes he was a CIA agent who worked in the capacity of an assassin. He admitted that in 1973, he travelled to North Africa, and asked to meet the president of the country. He claims the president requested that he take out a few national leaders, and that he was told he would receive the presidential medal of freedom. However, he never received any such award. Furthermore, Barris also revealed that he received a cash payment of $50,000 from the CIA for his services.
The CIA’s Denial & Rejection
The CIA has repeatedly denied that Chuck Barris was ever an agent or a assassin. They flatly reject his claims that he ever carried out any missions or killed anyone. The only thing the CIA did admit was that Barris was given a code word by the agency, as some of the shows which he worked on had been used as a recruitment and communication tool. The CIA referred to Barris as a ‘consultant’ and distanced themselves from any connection to Barris’ activities.
Veracity of the Claims
It is unknown if the claims of Barris being a CIA assassin have any veracity. There have been some experts who have debunked his claims, saying that it is highly possible for a person to have an eidetic memory and to create vivid memories of events which didn’t happen. However, at this stage, without providing additional proof, including evidence from the CIA, it remains up for debate as to whether or not Barris’ claims have any validity.
Barris’s Public Image
In the eyes of the public, Barris was more than a producer and writer. He represented a generation of people looking to make a living outside the conventions of a normal job. That was his appeal. People were intrigued by his charismatic personality, his colloquial language, and his entertaining kind of unhinged lifestyle. It was probably due to this that prompted the belief that he was a CIA assassin, as it fit the persona of a secret agent.
Psychology Analysis
Experts in the psychology field hypothesize that Barris’ admission that he was an assassin is due to a complex mix of factors. Given his fame and narcissistic traits, could Barris have embellished a wild story to make himself feel even more important? It is not impossible, however when this is taken into consideration it could be hard to determine what is true and what is fiction.
The Possible Purpose
When it comes to understanding what drove Barris to create such a story, there could be a few motives. First, his craving for fame could be what caused him to fabricate this story. People would undoubtedly be interested to read about his secret life as a CIA Hitman, as it would add to the image that he was this larger-than-life character. Another potential cause could be that he was looking for respect, as it could have been a way for Barris to receive recognition as a patriotic American by claiming he had gave his service to the country.
Public Reception to the Story
The public reception to Barris’ confession was initially divisive. Many were enthralled and fascinated by the remarkable story at first, while others dismissed the claims as being unsubstantial. As the story spread, more and more attention was given to Barris, with people looking to uncover the truth. Despite this, it remains unknown as to whether Barris’ story of being a CIA assassin is a fact or fiction.
The Aftermath
Since the initial revelation, Chuck Barris has remained tight lipped about the situation, declining further interviews and appearances on talk shows. It seems he simply wanted to get the story off his chest, to be heard and to generate more interest in his career. However, the general consensus amongst the public is that the story is still shrouded in mystery and that ultimately, we may never know the whole truth.
Counter Intelligence Activities
Recently, documents have come to light which suggest that Barris was engaged in counter intelligence activities alongside his television career. According to the documents, he was assigned to investigate potential double agents and investigate possible Soviet espionage. Thus, whilst there is still no evidence to support the claim that Barris was a CIA assassin, there is evidence which suggests he may have been involved in other intelligence activities.
The Legacy of Chuck Barris
Whilst the full truth will likely never be known, what is known is that Chuck Barris has left a lasting impact on American culture. From his numerous television credits to his unique persona, his presence is still felt today. Whilst the CIA gun for hire story will remain a myth, it will not detract from his legacy which is, and will be, remembered by a generation.
