Barry Bostwick , (born February 24 1946 in San Mateo, California ), is an American actor , particularly associated with made-for-television movies and mini-series. Bostwick has appeared in many movies and recently played the Mayor of New York City in the sitcom Spin City ... he is probably best known for playing Brad in The Rocky Horror Picture Show , and as George Washington in the epic films based on the biography by James Thomas Flexner , George Washington and its sequel, The Forging of a Nation Bostwick also regularly serves as host of the nationally televised annual " Capitol Fourth " celebration on the Mall in Washington, D.C. , usually leading off the show by singing a medley of patriotic songs.