Who plays F. Lee Bailey in Boston Strangler on Hulu?
Boston Strangler is the highly anticipated movie that was released on Hulu Friday, March 17. The film, starring Keira Knightly and Carrie Coon, follows two journalists who attempt to uncover who is behind a series of murders in Boston in the 1960s. With plenty of stars taking on roles of those who actually lived during this time, there are a host of names to remember, such as F. Lee Bailey.
The movie follows the real life case of the Boston Strangler, an unknown killer who murdered over a dozen women. In the film, Knightley and Coon play the two real life journalists who sought to uncover the story while also working against sexism in the workplace at this time.
Of course, the film also touts an ensemble cast of well known actors and actresses who took on the roles of real life people involved. Not only did this include the real life killer, Albert DeSalvo, but also others such as his very own defense attorney, F. Lee Bailey.
So who took on the role of the famous defense attorney who would also go on to defend other famous and infamous individuals?
Who is F. Lee Bailey in Boston Strangler?
First of all, who was F. Lee Bailey? Francis Lee. Bailey, Jr., was a defense attorney with licenses for both Massachusetts and Florida. He made his name as a skilled defense attorney, with clients ranging from Patty Hearst to O.J. Simpson. In the case of Albert DeSalvo, otherwise known as the Boston Strangler, he defended him in 1964.
He was responsible for a deal that was struck, meaning DeSalvo would serve time for assaults he confessed to, but his confession to murder would be inadmissible in court.
Bailey was well known before this. He had defended a man named Sam Sheppard, who was accused of killing his pregnant wife, Marilyn, during his appeals process. Bailey successfully argued his due process had been violated in the original 1954 trial.
In addition to these cases, Bailey was also part of the “Dream Team,” otherwise known as the defense for O.J. Simpson in the murder of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.
Bailey passed away in 2021 at the age of 87.
Who plays F. Lee Bailey in Boston Strangler?
In Boston Strangler, F. Lee Bailey is played by actor Luke Kirby. The actor was born in Canada in 1978 after his parents moved from New York. There, he attended the National Theatre School of Canada, where he graduated in 2001.
Kirby is known for roles in Halloween: Insurrection, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and the Gossip Girl revival. He won a Prime Time Emmy for his guest appearance on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, where he played Lenny Bruce.
Boston Strangler is now streaming on Hulu.