Robert Paul Burns (September 1, 1878 – January 16, 1966) was an American film actor and

director Director may refer to: Literature * ''Director'' (magazine), a British magazine * ''The Director'' (novel), a 1971 novel by Henry Denker * ''The Director'' (play), a 2000 play by Nancy Hasty Music * Director (band), an Irish rock band * ''D ...

. He appeared in more than 200 films between 1908 and 1952 as well as directing 13 films between 1915 and 1916. Burns was born in

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

, Pennsylvania, and died in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

, California. He played Pokes in the ''Pokes and Jabbs'' silent comedies of the mid 1910s, with

Walter Stull Walter Stull (January 27, 1879 – June 10, 1961) was an American film actor and director. He appeared in more than 90 films between 1911 and 1917 as well as directing 13 films between 1915 and 1916. He was born in Nebraska, and died in Lo ...

as Jabbs and frequently featuring Babe (Oliver) Hardy. Later he supported Hardy in his partnership with

Stan Laurel Stan Laurel (born Arthur Stanley Jefferson; 16 June 1890 – 23 February 1965) was an English comic actor, writer, and film director who was one half of the comedy double act, duo Laurel and Hardy. He appeared with his comedy partner Oliver Ha ...

at the Hal Roach Studios in several of their early short comedies and feature films.

Selected filmography

* ''

Uncivil War Birds ''Uncivil War Birds'' is a 1946 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 90th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring ...

'' (1946) as Union Soldier (uncredited) * ''

Gents Without Cents ''Gents Without Cents'' is a 1944 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 81st entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring ...

'' (1944) Audience Member (uncredited) * ''

Air Raid Wardens ''Air Raid Wardens'' is a 1943 comedy film directed by Edward Sedgwick and starring Laurel and Hardy. It was the first of two feature films the duo made at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Plot Set during World War II, just after Pearl Harbor, Stan (Stan La ...

'' (1943) as Townsman in Gymnasium (uncredited) * ''

Loco Boy Makes Good ''Loco Boy Makes Good'' is a 1942 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 60th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starr ...

'' (1942) as Nightclub Patron (uncredited) * ''

I'll Never Heil Again ''I'll Never Heil Again'' is a 1941 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 56th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starr ...

'' (1941) as King's aide (uncredited) * '' Healthy, Wealthy and Dumb'' (1938) as Room service waiter (uncredited) * ''

Dizzy Doctors ''Dizzy Doctors'' is a 1937 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 21st entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the come ...

'' (1937) as Man in the Wheelchair (uncredited) * '' Jail Bait'' (1937) as Prison Warden (uncredited) * ''

A Pain in the Pullman ''A Pain in the Pullman'' is a 1936 short subject directed by Preston Black starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 16th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures s ...

'' (1936) as Man in Berth (uncredited) * ''

Dummy Ache ''Dummy Ache'' is a 1936 American short comedy film directed by Leslie Goodwins. It was nominated for an Academy Award at the 9th Academy Awards in 1936 for Best Short Subject (Two-Reel). The Academy Film Archive preserved ''Dummy Ache'' in 20 ...

'' (1936) as Gardner (uncredited) * ''

Ants in the Pantry ''Ants in the Pantry'' is a 1936 short film, short subject directed by Jack White (film producer), Preston Black starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 12th entry in the seri ...

'' (1936) as Guest with mouse down his back (uncredited) * ''

Pop Goes the Easel ''Pop Goes the Easel'' is a 1935 short film, short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Jerry Howard). It is the seventh entry in the series released by Columbia Pictu ...

'' (1935) as Professor Fueller (uncredited) * ''

Restless Knights ''Restless Knights'' is a 1935 short subject directed by Charles Lamont starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Jerry Howard). It is the sixth entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starri ...

'' (1935) as Guard (uncredited) * '' Them Thar Hills'' (1934) as Officer (uncredited) * ''

Three Little Pigskins ''Three Little Pigskins'' is a 1934 short subject directed by Raymond McCarey and starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Jerry Howard). It is the fourth entry in the series released by Columbia Pict ...

'' (1934) as Man panhandled by Larry (uncredited) * '' Babes In Toyland'' (1934) as Townsman (uncredited) * ''

Helpmates ''Helpmates'' is a Laurel and Hardy Pre-Code short film comedy. It was directed by James Parrott, produced by Hal Roach and released by Metro-Goldwyn Mayer on January 23, 1932. Plot Ollie's house is a mess after a wild party from the previous ...

'' (1932) as Neighbor with hose (uncredited) * '' The Chimp'' (1932) as Tenant (uncredited) * ''

Any Old Port! ''Any Old Port!'' is an American 1932 pre-Code comedy short film directed by James W. Horne and starring Laurel and Hardy. It was produced by Hal Roach. Plot Sailors Laurel and Hardy disembark and book in a sleazy hotel. The owner Mugsie Lo ...

'' (1932) as Justice of peace (uncredited) * ''

Pardon Us ''Pardon Us'' is a 1931 American pre-Code Laurel and Hardy film. It was the duo's first starring feature-length comedy film, produced by Hal Roach and Stan Laurel, directed by James Parrott, and originally distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1 ...

'' (1931) as Prisoner with toothache (uncredited) * ''

The Laurel-Hardy Murder Case ''The Laurel-Hardy Murder Case'' is a Laurel and Hardy pre-Code comedy film released in 1930. It is one of a handful of three-reel comedies they made, running 28 minutes. It was directed by James Parrott, produced by Hal Roach and distributed b ...

'' (1930) as Nervous Relative (uncredited) * '' Below Zero'' (1930) as "Blind" Man/Deadbeat diner (uncredited) * ''

Another Fine Mess ''Another Fine Mess'' is a 1930 short comedy film directed by James Parrott and starring Laurel and Hardy. It is based on the 1908 play ''Home from the Honeymoon'' by Arthur J. Jefferson, Stan Laurel's father, and is a remake of their earl ...

'' (1930) as Bicyclist (uncredited) * '' The Try Out'' (1916) as Pokes * '' Hired and Fired'' (1916) as Pokes * '' Busted Hearts'' (1916) as Pokes * '' Frenzied Finance'' (1916) as Pokes * ''

Chickens The chicken (''Gallus gallus domesticus'') is a domesticated junglefowl species, with attributes of wild species such as the grey and the Ceylon junglefowl that are originally from Southeastern Asia. Rooster or cock is a term for an adult m ...

'' (1916) as Pokes * ''

This Way Out ''This Way Out'' is a 1916 American silent comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy. Cast * Bobby Burns - Pokes * Walter Stull - Jabbs * Oliver Hardy - Plump (as Babe Hardy) * Billy Ruge - Runt * Ethel Marie Burton * Frank Hanson See also * Li ...

'' (1916) as Pokes * '' Ups and Downs'' (1915) as Pokes * ''

Mixed and Fixed ''Mixed and Fixed'' is a 1915 American silent comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy. Cast * Bobby Burns as Pokes * Walter Stull as Jabbs * Billy Ruge * Ethel Marie Burton * Oliver Hardy (as Babe Hardy) * Frank Hanson * Edna Reynolds See a ...

'' (1915) as Pokes * '' Speed Kings'' (1915) as Pokes * '' Strangled Harmony'' (1915) as Pokes * ''

Love, Pepper and Sweets ''Love, Pepper and Sweets'' is a 1915 American silent comedy film featuring Bobby Burns & Walter Stull Plot Jabbs is the star boarder and favorite of Betty, the landlady, while Pokes and Runt, two other boarders, always suffer the worst end o ...

'' (1915) as Pokes * ''

Pressing Business ''Pressing Business'' is a 1915 American silent comedy film produced by the Vim Comedy Company featuring Bobby Burns & Walter Stull. Incorrectly credited as an Oliver Hardy title. The Library of Congress has a complete print and Oliver Hardy ...

'' (1915) as Pokes * ''

The Midnight Prowlers ''The Midnight Prowlers'' is a 1915 American silent comedy film produced by the Vim Comedy Company featuring Bobby Burns & Walter Stull. Plot Mr. and Mrs. Jabbs live in a suburban retreat where the police force is conspicuous by its absence ...

'' (1915) as Pokes

External links

* * 1878 births 1966 deaths American male film actors American male silent film actors Male actors from Philadelphia Film directors from Pennsylvania Hal Roach Studios actors 20th-century American male actors {{US-film-actor-1870s-stub