Donald Barr

January 4, 1933 - January 15, 2025 Donald Barr, a true American original and Los Angeles touchstone, has passed away at 92.
Born in Los Angeles to Dorothy and Morris Barr in 1933, Don was extremely enterprising from an early age. He began trading penny stocks in high school, and made enough money to buy his first car and build an apartment building while only in high school.
Don graduated from LA High in 1950, graduated from USC in 1954 and law school in 1957. Admitted to the California Bar in 1958, Don founded his own law firm, Grossman & Barr, and became the youngest attorney to argue in front of the Supreme Court, successfully suing the US Navy. He became a prolific entrepreneur, owning a casino and an orange factory by 22 years old, and expanded into real estate, oil, construction, and manufacturing. He bought and sold over 80 businesses in the US and Mexico, throughout his life and developed numerous industrial parks in California.
Don was also a true craftsman. In his massive workshop he was world-renowned for making Violanos, a rare and elegant self-playing violin machine from the early 20th century. He restored old pianos, old vaudeville games and slot machines, among many other things.
He loved Los Angeles and was an iconic member and President of the Jonathan Club, member of the LA Philharmonic, and Hollywood Bowl. He loved opera and ballet, and collected as many musical instruments as he made. He would often invite guests for live opera and piano playing at his home in Pacific Palisades.
But more than all of this, was the mark he left on those who knew him. He had a blinding twinkle in his eye and a wry smile that made everyone feel like they were in on the joke. He was self made, and he helped others to make themselves as well, always encouraging his friends and his sons' friends to work for themselves, to seize the opportunities that life presents.
Don Barr crafted his life exquisitely, with a creativity and rugged force that is all too rare today. He crafted his businesses, crafted his violano's, but most importantly to him, he crafted his friends and family. He is survived by his 2 daughters, Melanie and Talia; his son David; his fiancee of many years, Judy; along with 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren; and Gus his cat.
His was truly a life well-lived. And he showed countless others how to live theirs with heart, determination, a sense of wonder, and a cigar. He will be deeply missed.