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 Abbott and Costello were an American comedy duo composed of comedians Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, whose work in radio, film, and television made them the most popular comedy team of the 1940s and 1950s, and the highest-paid entertainers in t ...

on and off screen.

Biography

Barber was born Robert S. Barbera in New York."California Death Index, 1940-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPC6-971 : 26 November 2014), Robert S Barbera, 24 May 1976; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento. His film career included bit parts, often uncredited, in over 250 (known) films and television shows. Barber appeared in many

films and about half their television shows. Following the death of

Lou Costello Louis Francis Cristillo (March 6, 1906 – March 3, 1959), better known as Lou Costello, was an American comedian, actor and producer. He was best known for his double act with Bud Abbott and their routine " Who's on First?". Abbott and Cos ...

's father in 1947, Costello became very close with Barber, including him in various antics off set as a form of "court jester." It was his job to keep the energy level up between shots with pranks and practical jokes. Sometimes, he even interrupted a take to break up the cast and crew. In ''

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein ''Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein'' is a 1948 American horror comedy film directed by Charles Barton (director), Charles Barton. The film features Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi), who has partnered with Dr. Sandra Mornay (Lenore Aubert) in or ...

'' (1948), Costello opens a door expecting to see Lon Chaney Jr. Instead, Barber enters and breaks up the scene. In another outtake from that film,

Bela Lugosi Blaskó Béla Ferenc Dezső (; October 20, 1882 – August 16, 1956), better known by the stage name Bela Lugosi ( ; ), was a Hungarian–American actor. He was best remembered for portraying Count Dracula in the horror film classic Dracula (19 ...

solemnly descends a staircase to meet Abbott and Costello's characters. Unbeknownst to him, Barber follows behind him, mimicking his steps. The prank breaks up the cast and crew, but Lugosi did not appear amused. Among his final film appearances was in Lou Costello's last movie, '' The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock'' (1959). Barber also turned up as an extra in episodes of

Leave It to Beaver ''Leave It to Beaver'' is an American television sitcom that follows the misadventures of a suburban boy, his family and his friends. It starred Barbara Billingsley, Hugh Beaumont, Tony Dow and Jerry Mathers. CBS first broadcast the show ...

. Barber died in 1976 in California, at age 81.

Selected filmography

* ''

Soup to Nuts ''Soup to Nuts'' is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy film written by cartoonist, sculptor, author, and inventor Rube Goldberg and directed by Benjamin Stoloff. It was the film debut of the original four members who would later, minus Ted Hea ...

'' (1930) as Revolutionary (uncredited) * '' Monkey Business'' (1931) as Hoarse Barber Customer (uncredited) * '' The Night of June 13'' (1932) as Jury Foreman (uncredited) * '' Modern Times'' (1936) as Worker (uncredited) * '' Breakfast for Two'' (1937) as Window Washer (uncredited) * ''

Gun Law Gun laws and policies, collectively referred to as firearms regulation or gun control, regulate the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, modification, and use of small arms by civilians. Laws of some countries may afford civilians a right to ...

'' (1938) as Barber (uncredited) * '' Tarzan's Desert Mystery'' (1943) as Turban Vendor (uncredited) * '' Mexicana'' (1945) as Bellboy * '' The Pilgrim Lady'' (1947) as Elevator Operator (uncredited) * '' Vigilantes of Boomtown'' (1947) as Corbett's Second * '' Across the Wide Missouri'' (1951) as Gardipe (uncredited) * '' Paris Model'' (1953) as Waiter at Romanoff's (uncredited) * '' You're Never Too Young'' (1955), a

Martin & Lewis Martin and Lewis were an American comedy duo, comprising singer Dean Martin and comedian Jerry Lewis. They met in 1944 and debuted at Atlantic City's 500 Club on July 25, 1946; the team lasted ten years to the day. Before they teamed up, Martin ...

comedy; as Union Station Newsstand Clerk (uncredited) * ''

Alfred Hitchcock Presents ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, airing on CBS and NBC, alternately, between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. Between 1962 ...

'' (1958) (Season 3 Episode 22: "The Return of the Hero") - Cafe Patron (uncredited) * '' The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock'' (1959) as Booster (uncredited) * ''

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, airing on CBS and NBC, alternately, between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. Between 1962 a ...

'' (1962) (Season 1 Episode 4: "I Saw the Whole Thing") - Juror (uncredited) * ''

To Kill a Mockingbird ''To Kill a Mockingbird'' is a 1960 Southern Gothic novel by American author Harper Lee. It became instantly successful after its release; in the United States, it is widely read in high schools and middle schools. ''To Kill a Mockingbird'' ...

'' (1962) as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)

References

External links

* American male film actors 1894 births 1976 deaths 20th-century American male actors {{US-film-actor-1890s-stub