Skip to content
Join free
Bobby Barber
Actor

Bobby Barber

17 Dec 1894Born
24 May 1976Died
81Age at death
114Credits

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.

Read the full biography

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.

Known for

Filmography

The 80 most recent of 114 credits.

  1. 1963The Wheeler DealersFilm: Workman in Night Club (uncredited)
  2. 1962To Kill a MockingbirdFilm: Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
  3. 1962The Alfred Hitchcock HourSeries: Juror (uncredited) (1 episode)
  4. 1957The Joker is WildFilm: Waiter (uncredited)
  5. 1957Wagon TrainSeries: Wagon Train Member (uncredited) (1 episode)
  6. 1957Have Gun, Will TravelSeries (1 episode)
  7. 1957Man of a Thousand FacesFilm: The Miracle Man Extra (uncredited)
  8. 1957The Midnight StoryFilm: Party Guest (uncredited)
  9. 1957The Buster Keaton StoryFilm: Soda Fountain Customer (uncredited)
  10. 1956PardnersFilm: Townsman (uncredited)
  11. 1954Living It UpFilm: Bellboy (uncredited)
  12. 1952The Abbott and Costello ShowSeries: 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)
  13. 1952Adventures of SupermanSeries: Tony the Masseur (1 episode)
  14. 1952Flesh and FuryFilm
  15. 1951Across the Wide MissouriFilm: Gardipe (uncredited)
  16. 1951Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible ManFilm: Sneaky (uncredited)
  17. 1950Let's DanceFilm: Bartender (uncredited)
  18. 1950Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in the Foreign LegionFilm: Arab on Jeep's Hood (uncredited)
  19. 1949UndertowFilm
  20. 1949Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer, Boris KarloffFilm: Dry Cleaning Man (uncredited)
  21. 1949Africa ScreamsFilm: Chauffeur (uncredited)
  22. 1948Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet FrankensteinFilm: Waiter
  23. 1948On an Island with YouFilm: (uncredited)
  24. 1947I Walk AloneFilm: Newsboy (uncredited)
  25. 1947The Wistful Widow of Wagon GapFilm: Waiter (uncredited)
  26. 1947The Bachelor and the Bobby-SoxerFilm: Birthday Cake Waiter (uncredited)
  27. 1947Riff-RaffFilm: Customs Inspector (uncredited)
  28. 1947Vigilantes of BoomtownFilm: Corbett's second
  29. 1946CalcuttaFilm: Taxi Driver (uncredited)
  30. 1946Two Sisters from BostonFilm: Stagehand (uncredited)
  31. 1946From This Day ForwardFilm: Ice Man
  32. 1946Road to UtopiaFilm: Bartender (uncredited)
  33. 1945Sensation HuntersFilm: Waiter (uncredited)
  34. 1945Anchors AweighFilm: Salad Cook (uncredited)
  35. 1945Lady on a TrainFilm
  36. 1945Earl Carroll VanitiesFilm: Cab Driver
  37. 1944Practically YoursFilm: Man on Subway (uncredited)
  38. 1944And Now TomorrowFilm: Mill Worker
  39. 1944LauraFilm: Newsboy (uncredited)
  40. 1944Rainbow IslandFilm: Native Banana Man
  41. 1944I Love a SoldierFilm: Funhouse Attendant
  42. 1944Follow the BoysFilm: Soldier - W.C. Fields Routine (uncredited)
  43. 1944You Can't Ration LoveFilm: Barber
  44. 1944Passage to MarseilleFilm: Frenchman (uncredited)
  45. 1943Swing FeverFilm: Soft Drink Vendor (uncredited)
  46. 1943Crazy HouseFilm: Bald Man / Director
  47. 1943Dizzy PilotsFilm: Private (uncredited)
  48. 1943A Lady Takes a ChanceFilm: Gambler
  49. 1943Hi Diddle DiddleFilm: Saloon Waiter (uncredited)
  50. 1943Here Comes Mr. ZerkFilm: Bellhop
  51. 1943The Sky's the LimitFilm: Canteen Waiter (uncredited)
  52. 1943All by MyselfFilm: Waiter
  53. 1943Hit the IceFilm: Candy Butcher (uncredited)
  54. 1943Presenting Lily MarsFilm: Busboy
  55. 1943Reveille with BeverlyFilm: Collins (uncredited)
  56. 1942Who Done It?Film: Test Technician in Booth (uncredited)
  57. 1942Matri-PhonyFilm: Snake Charmer (uncredited)
  58. 1942Beyond the Blue HorizonFilm: Member of La'oa's Gang (uncredited)
  59. 1942My Favorite SpyFilm: Man in Park in Front of Kay
  60. 1942Powder TownFilm: Waiter (uncredited)
  61. 1942Roxie HartFilm: Bald Juror (uncredited)
  62. 1942A Date with the FalconFilm: Spectator (uncredited)
  63. 1941The Gay FalconFilm: Angelo (uncredited)
  64. 1941King of the Texas RangersFilm: Eduardo
  65. 1941Hold That GhostFilm: Waiter (uncredited)
  66. 1941Cracked NutsFilm: Waiter
  67. 1941In the NavyFilm: Sailor in Finale (uncredited)
  68. 1941Pot o' GoldFilm: Prisoner (uncredited)
  69. 1941Las Vegas NightsFilm: Waiter Who Gets Slapped
  70. 1941The Monster and the GirlFilm: Juryman (uncredited)
  71. 1941The Lady EveFilm: Ship's Waiter with Toupee (uncredited)
  72. 1941Second ChorusFilm: Room Service Waiter (uncredited)
  73. 1940They Knew What They WantedFilm: Tony's Pal at Table (uncredited)
  74. 1940The Villain Still Pursued HerFilm: Wedding Guest (uncredited)
  75. 1940Spring ParadeFilm: Waiter Who Spills Tray (uncredited)
  76. 1940The Leather PushersFilm
  77. 1940Stranger on the Third FloorFilm: Giuseppe, the Italian Grocer (uncredited)
  78. 1940Primrose PathFilm: Benny (uncredited)
  79. 1940Road to SingaporeFilm: Man Hit with Soap Suds (uncredited)
  80. 1940Broadway Melody of 1940Film: Wedding Guest (uncredited)

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.