The Flash: All 5 Barry Allen actors ranked from worst to best

Barry Allen is the man behind The Flash, but which actors did the best job of bringing the character to life?

By Michael Patterson | Mar 9, 2024, 3:16 PM EST

The Flash -- "Heart of the Matter, Part 1" -- Image Number: FLA717a_0043r.jpg -- Pictured: Grant Gustin as Barry Allen/The Flash -- Photo: Bettina Strauss/The CW -- © 2021 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved /

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4. Kenny Johnston

It is important to note that, while 1997's TV movie/pilot Justice League of America wasn't very good, it was in a completely different league that the 1979 TV special, so that automatically gave actor Kenny Johnston far more to work with in terms of developing the Barry Allen character than Rod Hasse had.

The movie does have some comedic elements too, with the action interrupted by mock interviews from League members reflecting on life as superheroes. Barry Allen is unemployed after his years as the Scarlet Speedster, so Johnston had more to do than run around in a cheap-looking suit. He did get to showcase elements of Barry's personality, highlighting him to be one of the more unserious members of the League, but we were only scratching the surface here given the tone of the film.

The pilot wasn't picked up to series and everyone basically forgot Justice League of America exists. It was a huge step backwards for superheroes after productions like The Flash TV series of the early '90s, and the early Tim Burton Batman movies, so there wasn't a high level of character development. But still, it was better than Legends of the Super Heroes.

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