Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Birthdate
1894-12-17
Day of Death
1976-05-24
Place of Birth
New York City, New York, USA
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.
Filmography (108)
The Wheeler Dealers
1963
To Kill a Mockingbird
1962
The Joker is Wild
1957
Man of a Thousand Faces
1957
The Midnight Story
1957
The Buster Keaton Story
1957
Pardners
1956
Living It Up
1954
Flesh and Fury
1952
Across the Wide Missouri
1951
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man
1951
Let's Dance
1950
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in the Foreign Legion
1950
Undertow
1949
