Bobby Barber

Actor · 1894–1976 · New York City, New York, USA

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Bobby Barber (December 18, 1894 – May 24, 1976) was an American actor who appeared in over 100 films. Barber is notable for his work as a foil for Abbott and Costello on and off screen. Barber was often used by Bud Abbott and Lou Costello as a form of "court jester" on the set of their films. It was his job to keep the energy level up with pranks and practical jokes. Sometimes, he even suddenly appeared on camera during a take to break up the cast and crew. In Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), Costello answers a knock at the door expecting to see large actor Lon Chaney Jr. Instead, the very short Barber walks in wearing a funny hat with a feather. In another outtake from that film, Bela Lugosi, in full Dracula regalia, is solemnly descending a staircase to meet Abbott and Costello when all of a sudden the actors and crew burst out laughing. Lugosi, annoyed, turns around to see Barber following right behind him, mimicking his steps. Barber also appeared in bit parts, such as a delivery boy, waiter, bellhop, or man on the street, often uncredited in movies, and in many of Abbott and Costello's films and about half their television shows. Sometimes his likeness was in a picture on a wall or a "wanted" poster in a post office. His final film appearance was in Lou Costello's last movie, The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock (1959). His film career included bit parts in over 100 (known) feature films.

Acted in 110

1960s

1963
The Wheeler Dealers
Workman in Night Club (uncredited)
1962
To Kill a Mockingbird
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
85
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
Juror (uncredited) · 1 episode
83

1950s

1957
The Joker is Wild
Waiter (uncredited)
Wagon Train
Wagon Train Member (uncredited) · 1 episode
73
Have Gun, Will Travel
TV · 6 Seasons · Western · Action
81
Man of a Thousand Faces
The Miracle Man Extra (uncredited)
The Midnight Story
Party Guest (uncredited)
The Buster Keaton Story
Soda Fountain Customer (uncredited)
1956
Pardners
Townsman (uncredited)
1954
Living It Up
Bellboy (uncredited)
1952
The Abbott and Costello Show
Chauffeur, Man with Overcoat, Man in Pajamas, Angry Pedestrian, Man with Balloon, Barfly, Man in Grandfather Clock, Crazy Concert Pianist, Man Phoning Australia, Second Man with Cigar, Restaurant Customer, John Rednose, Tout, Hercules, Newspaper Vendor, Janitor, Jake, Nightclub Bouncer, Pete, Man with Cake, Guess-Your-Weight Customer, Painter, Delivery Man with Box · 1 episode
78
Adventures of Superman
Tony the Masseur · 1 episode
74
Flesh and Fury
Movie
1951
Across the Wide Missouri
Gardipe (uncredited)
62
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man
Sneaky (uncredited)
1950
Let's Dance
Bartender (uncredited)
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in the Foreign Legion
Arab on Jeep's Hood (uncredited)

1940s

1949
Undertow
Movie
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff
Dry Cleaning Man (uncredited)
Africa Screams
Chauffeur (uncredited)
61
1948
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein
Waiter
75
On an Island with You
(uncredited)
1947
I Walk Alone
Newsboy (uncredited)
65
The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap
Waiter (uncredited)
The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer
Birthday Cake Waiter (uncredited)
70
Riff-Raff
Customs Inspector (uncredited)
66
Vigilantes of Boomtown
Corbett's second
1946
Calcutta
Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Two Sisters from Boston
Stagehand (uncredited)
From This Day Forward
Ice Man
Road to Utopia
Bartender (uncredited)
77
1945
Sensation Hunters
Waiter (uncredited)
Anchors Aweigh
Salad Cook (uncredited)
65
Lady on a Train
Movie
Earl Carroll Vanities
Cab Driver
1944
Practically Yours
Man on Subway (uncredited)
And Now Tomorrow
Mill Worker
Laura
Newsboy (uncredited)
84
Rainbow Island
Native Banana Man
I Love a Soldier
Funhouse Attendant
Follow the Boys
Soldier - W.C. Fields Routine (uncredited)
58
You Can't Ration Love
Barber
Passage to Marseille
Frenchman (uncredited)
69
1943
Swing Fever
Soft Drink Vendor (uncredited)
Crazy House
Bald Man / Director
Dizzy Pilots
Private (uncredited)
A Lady Takes a Chance
Gambler
62
Hi Diddle Diddle
Saloon Waiter (uncredited)
Here Comes Mr. Zerk
Bellhop
The Sky's the Limit
Canteen Waiter (uncredited)
63
All by Myself
Waiter
Hit the Ice
Candy Butcher (uncredited)
Presenting Lily Mars
Busboy
67
Reveille with Beverly
Collins (uncredited)
1942
Who Done It?
Test Technician in Booth (uncredited)
Matri-Phony
Snake Charmer (uncredited)
Beyond the Blue Horizon
Member of La'oa's Gang (uncredited)
My Favorite Spy
Man in Park in Front of Kay
Powder Town
Waiter (uncredited)
Roxie Hart
Bald Juror (uncredited)
A Date with the Falcon
Spectator (uncredited)
64
1941
The Gay Falcon
Angelo (uncredited)
King of the Texas Rangers
Eduardo
Hold That Ghost
Waiter (uncredited)
79
Cracked Nuts
Waiter
In the Navy
Sailor in Finale (uncredited)
Pot o' Gold
Prisoner (uncredited)
59
Las Vegas Nights
Waiter Who Gets Slapped
The Monster and the Girl
Juryman (uncredited)
The Lady Eve
Ship's Waiter with Toupee (uncredited)
85
Second Chorus
Room Service Waiter (uncredited)
57
1940
They Knew What They Wanted
Tony's Pal at Table (uncredited)
The Villain Still Pursued Her
Wedding Guest (uncredited)
54
Spring Parade
Waiter Who Spills Tray (uncredited)
The Leather Pushers
Movie
Stranger on the Third Floor
Giuseppe, the Italian Grocer (uncredited)
69
Primrose Path
Benny (uncredited)
Road to Singapore
Man Hit with Soap Suds (uncredited)
Broadway Melody of 1940
Wedding Guest (uncredited)
Nothing But Pleasure
Snacking Bus Rider