Bobby Barber
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.
Personal Details
Also Known As
Movies (45)
The Wheeler Dealers
as Workman in Night Club (uncredited)
1963
To Kill a Mockingbird
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
1962
The Joker is Wild
as Waiter (uncredited)
1957
Man of a Thousand Faces
as The Miracle Man Extra (uncredited)
1957
The Midnight Story
as Party Guest (uncredited)
1957
The Buster Keaton Story
as Soda Fountain Customer (uncredited)
1957
Pardners
as Townsman (uncredited)
1956
Living It Up
as Bellboy (uncredited)
1954
Flesh and Fury
1952
Across the Wide Missouri
as Gardipe (uncredited)
1951
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man
as Sneaky (uncredited)
1951
Let's Dance
as George - Bartender (uncredited)
1950
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in the Foreign Legion
as Arab on Jeep's Hood (uncredited)
1950
Undertow
1949
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff
as Dry Cleaning Man (uncredited)
1949
Africa Screams
as Chauffeur (uncredited)
1949
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein
as Waiter
1948
I Walk Alone
as Newsboy (uncredited)
1947
The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap
as Waiter (uncredited)
1947
The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer
as Birthday Cake Waiter (uncredited)
1947
Riff-Raff
as Customs Inspector (uncredited)
1947
Vigilantes of Boomtown
as Corbett's second
1947
Calcutta
as Taxi Driver (uncredited)
1946
Two Sisters from Boston
as Stagehand (uncredited)
1946
From This Day Forward
as Ice Man
1946
Road to Utopia
as Bartender (uncredited)
1946
Sensation Hunters
as Waiter (uncredited)
1945
Anchors Aweigh
as Salad Cook on Olvera Street (uncredited)
1945
Lady on a Train
1945
Earl Carroll Vanities
as Cab Driver
1945
Practically Yours
as Man on Subway (uncredited)
1944
And Now Tomorrow
as Mill Worker
1944
Laura
as Newsboy (uncredited)
1944
Rainbow Island
as Native Banana Man
1944
I Love a Soldier
as Funhouse Attendant
1944
Follow the Boys
as Soldier - W.C. Fields Routine (uncredited)
1944
You Can't Ration Love
as Barber
1944
Swing Fever
as Soft Drink Vendor (uncredited)
1943
Crazy House
as Bald Man / Director
1943
Dizzy Pilots
as Private (uncredited)
1943
A Lady Takes a Chance
as Gambler
1943
Hi Diddle Diddle
as Saloon Waiter (uncredited)
1943
Here Comes Mr. Zerk
as Bellhop
1943
The Sky's the Limit
as Canteen Waiter (uncredited)
1943
All by Myself
as Waiter
1943
