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 may refer to: People *Abbott (surname) *Abbott Handerson Thayer (1849–1921), American painter and naturalist * Abbott and Costello, famous American vaudeville act Places Argentina * Abbott, Buenos Aires United States * Abbott, Arkansas ...

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), professionally known as Lou Costello, was an American comedian, actor and producer. He was best known for his double act with straight man Bud Abbott and their routine "Who's on First?" ...

'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. The film features Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi) who has become partners with Dr. Sandra Mornay (Lenore Aubert), as Dracula requires a "simp ...

'' (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 Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó (; October 20, 1882 – August 16, 1956), known professionally as Bela Lugosi (; ), was a Hungarian and American actor best remembered for portraying Count Dracula in the 1931 horror classic ''Dracula'', Ygor in ''S ...

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 ''The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock'' is a 1959 comedy science fiction film starring Lou Costello and Dorothy Provine and directed by Sidney Miller. Plot Artie Pinsetter is a junk collector and amateur inventor who lives in the desert town of C ...

'' (1959). Barber also turned up as an extra in episodes of Leave It to Beaver. 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 Healy, ...

(1930) (uncredited) * '' Monkey Business'' (1931) * ''

The Night of June 13 ''The Night of June 13'' is a 1932 American pre-Code mystery film directed by Stephen Roberts. The film stars Clive Brook, Frances Dee, Charlie Ruggles, Gene Raymond, Lila Lee, Mary Boland and Adrianne Allen. The film was released on September 2 ...

'' (1932) (uncredited) * '' Modern Times'' (1936) (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 t ...

'' (1938) (uncredited) * ''

Tarzan's Desert Mystery ''Tarzan's Desert Mystery'' is a 1943 American Tarzan film directed by Wilhelm Thiele and starring Johnny Weissmuller and Nancy Kelly. Like its immediate predecessor, ''Tarzan Triumphs'', the film mentions Tarzan's mate, Jane, but does not show ...

'' (1943) (uncredited) * '' Mexicana'' (1945) * ''

The Pilgrim Lady ''The Pilgrim Lady'' is a 1947 American comedy crime film directed by Lesley Selander and starring Lynne Roberts, Warren Douglas and Alan Mowbray Alan Mowbray (born Alfred Ernest Allen; 18 August 1896 – 25 March 1969) was an English stag ...

'' (1947) * ''

Vigilantes of Boomtown ''Vigilantes of Boomtown'' is a 1947 American Western film in the Red Ryder film series directed by R. G. Springsteen, written by Earle Snell, and starring Allan Lane, Robert Blake, Martha Wentworth, Roscoe Karns, Roy Barcroft and Peggy Stewa ...

'' (1947) * '' Across the Wide Missouri'' (1951) * ''

Paris Model ''Paris Model'' is a 1953 American comedy drama film directed by Alfred E. Green and starring Marilyn Maxwell, Paulette Goddard, Eva Gabor and Barbara Lawrence.Wojcik p.235 It is an anthology featuring four separate parts, each focused on one of ...

'' (1953) * ''

You're Never Too Young ''You’re Never Too Young'' is a 1955 American semi- musical comedy film directed by Norman Taurog and starring the team of Martin and Lewis and co-starring Diana Lynn, Nina Foch, and Raymond Burr. It was released on August 25, 1955 by Paramoun ...

'' (1955), a

Martin & Lewis Martin and Lewis were an American comedy duo, comprising singer Dean Martin and comedian Jerry Lewis. They met in 1945 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 w ...

comedy * ''

'' (1959) * ''

To Kill a Mockingbird ''To Kill a Mockingbird'' is a novel by the American author Harper Lee. It was published in 1960 and was instantly successful. In the United States, it is widely read in high schools and middle schools. ''To Kill a Mockingbird'' has become ...

'' (1962)

References

External links

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