Is Chuck Barris's work as a CIA hit-man a fantasy?
The movie Confessions of a Dangerous Mind is based on the book of the same name, which is the autobiography of Chuck Barris.
Barris was the creator of TV shows such as The Dating Game and The Gong Show. The movie (and also the book) describe how he had a second job -- secretly -- as a CIA hit-man who killed 33 people during his time served.
Reviewers such as Roger Ebert have noted that the hit-man part of the autobiography might not be true. Indeed, after viewing the movie, I took the hit-man segments as fantasy symbolizing Barris's struggle with committing to his girlfriend and the career he has chosen.
Is there any evidence, either in-universe or otherwise, that offers insight as to whether Chuck Barris really did serve as a hit-man for the CIA?
Best Answer
Out of universe, I don't know of any evidence to suggest he was in the CIA other than his own claims, which he doesn't substantiate.
'We make it a practice not to say who is or isn't in the CIA. But in this case we'll make an exception. Chuck Barris is not.'
Of course, you could immediately argue that obviously they would say that about one of their agents. But now we're starting to get in to real tin-foil hat territory!
He's presented no claims that he is remotely involved with the CIA and as the burden of proof really needs to rest on his shoulders, I'll say he was not involved with the CIA.
In universe, the character in the film does take missions with the CIA, including assisting the German-American agent Keeler to murder Colbert - so in universe, he is clearly involved. But this is obviously based on the autobiography, which as already stated doesn't appear to have an out of universe source of truth.
Pictures about "Is Chuck Barris's work as a CIA hit-man a fantasy?"
Was Chuck Barris a hit man for the CIA?
In an interview on NBC's Today Show in 1984, Barris admitted to having made the story up. "No, I was never a CIA hit man. I never did those things. I once applied for the CIA, and while I was going through the process I got a job and went on television.Is Confessions of a Dangerous Mind Based on a true story?
screenplay by Kaufman screenplay for the George Clooney-directed Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002), which was based on the supposedly true story of the Central Intelligence Agency career of Chuck Barris, host of television's The Gong Show.Is Chuck Barris alive or dead?
Chuck Barris, in full Charles Hirsch Barris, (born June 3, 1929, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.\u2014died March 21, 2017, Palisades, New York), American television producer and host who created the iconic 1960s game shows The Dating Game and The Newlywed Game but was perhaps best remembered as the creator and host of the ...Chuck Barris on \
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