Bobby Barber
ActingAlso Known As
Robert S. Barbera
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.
Movies
(107 total)
Modern Times
as Worker (uncredited)
To Kill a Mockingbird
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Laura
as Newsboy (uncredited)
The Lady Eve
as Ship's Waiter with Toupee (uncredited)
Horse Feathers
as Speakeasy Patron (uncredited)
Anchors Aweigh
as Salad Cook on Olvera Street (uncredited)
The Joker is Wild
as Waiter (uncredited)
Dodsworth
as Italian Taxi Driver (uncredited)
The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer
as Birthday Cake Waiter (uncredited)
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man
as Sneaky (uncredited)
Stranger on the Third Floor
as Giuseppe, the Italian Grocer (uncredited)
I Walk Alone
as Newsboy (uncredited)
Hold That Ghost
as Waiter (uncredited)
Carefree
as (uncredited)
Vivacious Lady
as Italian Waiter at Nightclub (uncredited)
Africa Screams
as Chauffeur (uncredited)
Pardners
as Townsman (uncredited)
I'm No Angel
as Man in Crowd (uncredited)
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff
as Dry Cleaning Man (uncredited)
TV Shows
(27 total)
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
as Juror (uncredited)
Adventures of Superman
as Tony the Masseur
Wagon Train
as Wagon Train Member (uncredited)
The Abbott and Costello Show
as Chauffeur
The Abbott and Costello Show
as Man with Overcoat
The Abbott and Costello Show
as Man in Pajamas
The Abbott and Costello Show
as Angry Pedestrian
The Abbott and Costello Show
as Man with Balloon
The Abbott and Costello Show
as Barfly
The Abbott and Costello Show
as Man in Grandfather Clock
The Abbott and Costello Show
as Crazy Concert Pianist
The Abbott and Costello Show
as Man Phoning Australia
The Abbott and Costello Show
as Second Man with Cigar
The Abbott and Costello Show
as Restaurant Customer
The Abbott and Costello Show
as John Rednose
The Abbott and Costello Show
as Hercules
The Abbott and Costello Show
as Newspaper Vendor
The Abbott and Costello Show
as Janitor