Meet ‘Wiseguy’ Star Ken Wahl Who Is Married to ‘Barbi Twin’ Shane Barbi and Helps Veterans (2024)

Actor Ken Wahl was one of the most successful entertainers in the 90s until an accident cut his career short. Now, he lives a low-key life and only attracts attention for significant causes, including war veterans.

Advertisement

Born in the mid-50s, Ken Wahl showed up on the entertainment industry scene in the late 70s and early 80s with roles in “The Wanderers,” “Running Scared,” and “Fort Apache the Bronx.”

It is important to point out that Wahl, a working-class high-school dropout, spent most of his time as a young adult around service stations fixing cars and taking other low-paying jobs.

Meet ‘Wiseguy’ Star Ken Wahl Who Is Married to ‘Barbi Twin’ Shane Barbi and Helps Veterans (1)

Ken Wahl as "Wiseguy" character Vinnie Terranova in January 1988 | Photo: Getty Images

LIVING THE DREAM

Money was scarce in his family, to say the least. Wahl once confessed he was never worried about the next meal, but “the one after that” was always in question.

Since he and his family had always lived from paycheck to paycheck, he wanted to do things differently to change their lives. Eventually, he started seeing Hollywood as a place that might have some jobs available for him.

Advertisement

In 1979, Wahl auditioned for a walk-on role in “The Wanderers,” but director Philip Kaufman saw how talented he truly was and gave him the main part even though he had no previous acting experience.

Wahl’s career skyrocketed in 1987 when he booked the part of Vinnie Terranova, an undercover federal agent deeply infiltrated in criminal organizations in “Wiseguy.”

His three years working in “Wiseguy” were so successful that he was nominated for an Emmy and took home a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Drama.

Advertisement

Meet ‘Wiseguy’ Star Ken Wahl Who Is Married to ‘Barbi Twin’ Shane Barbi and Helps Veterans (2)

Promotional photo of Ken Wahl shared on Celebrity Tribute's YouTube Channel in January 2021 | Photo: YouTube/Celebrity Tribute

DOWNFALL OF HIS CAREER

However, the once-promising actor has not been seen on TV for years. Fans have wondered what happened to Ken Wahl and why he seemingly disappeared from Hollywood.

Things started to get complicated in 1992 when he suffered a broken neck and severe spinal column injury. Initially, he claimed it was the result of a motorcycle accident.

However, Wahl later revealed he actually fell down a flight of stairs at the home of Joan Child, comedian Rodney Dangerfield’s then-girlfriend and eventual wife.

Meet ‘Wiseguy’ Star Ken Wahl Who Is Married to ‘Barbi Twin’ Shane Barbi and Helps Veterans (3)

Promotional photo of Ken Wahl shared on Celebrity Tribute's YouTube Channel in January 2021 | Photo: YouTube/Celebrity Tribute

Advertisement

Since Child begged him not to tell the press where the accident occurred, he made up the motorcycle accident. His injury was severe enough to make him get two surgeries. Even after that, Wahl was left with chronic pain and almost unable to act again.

Wahl confessed to being “struck dumb” after learning the suicide rates amongst war veterans.

Meet ‘Wiseguy’ Star Ken Wahl Who Is Married to ‘Barbi Twin’ Shane Barbi and Helps Veterans (4)

Promotional photo of Ken Wahl shared on Celebrity Tribute's YouTube Channel in January 2021 | Photo: YouTube/Celebrity Tribute

In 1994, he landed parts in “The Favor” and “Search for Grace,” but he retired after the 1996’s film adaptation of “Wiseguy.” After that, he turned to self-medication and alcohol to deal with his pain.

Things got out of hand in 1997 when Wahl got involved in a fight with a bartender at the Beverly Hills Plaza Hotel. He was sentenced to a live-in alcohol rehab program and pay about $800 in damages.

Advertisement

Meet ‘Wiseguy’ Star Ken Wahl Who Is Married to ‘Barbi Twin’ Shane Barbi and Helps Veterans (5)

Portrait of Shane Barbi, Ken Wahl, and their pets circa 1997 | Photo: Getty Images

KEN WAHL TODAY

At the moment, Ken Wahl and Shane Barbi, a former model and animal rights advocate, are married. They tied the knot in 1997 and have been together ever since.

While the retired actor likes to keep most details of his life away from the spotlight, he attracted some attention in 2013 after claiming he might run for Congress to help “demoralized” war veterans who feel like Americans don’t care about them.

Wahl confessed to being “struck dumb” after learning the suicide rates amongst war veterans. Although he never really ran for Congress, he’s been actively helping military troops.

Read also

This '90s Teen Idol Received 4,000 Fan Letters a Week at the Peak of His Fame — His Tragic End Still Makes Fans 'Sad'

Advertisement

He once said that one of the most important things he’s been focusing on was the "Pets for Vets" program. Through it, he wants to connect military personnel dealing with PTSD and depression with animals.

Wahl admitted that animals were “a great comfort” during his own recovery process following his broken neck. So, they might be as helpful and comforting to “these poor souls” dealing with PTSD.

Ken Wahl is also working hard to pass the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act to provide war veterans with domestic rescue animals. What a fantastic initiative!

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Other international suicide helplines can be found at befrienders.org.

Advertisement

Meet ‘Wiseguy’ Star Ken Wahl Who Is Married to ‘Barbi Twin’ Shane Barbi and Helps Veterans (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Twana Towne Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 5766

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Twana Towne Ret

Birthday: 1994-03-19

Address: Apt. 990 97439 Corwin Motorway, Port Eliseoburgh, NM 99144-2618

Phone: +5958753152963

Job: National Specialist

Hobby: Kayaking, Photography, Skydiving, Embroidery, Leather crafting, Orienteering, Cooking

Introduction: My name is Twana Towne Ret, I am a famous, talented, joyous, perfect, powerful, inquisitive, lovely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.