Joe Brooks
Born in Los Angeles, Joe Brooks became an actor after graduating high school. He did some work as an extra, and his first speaking part was in the John Wayne WW II actioner The Fighting Seabees (1944). His acting career was interrupted by wartime service in the South Pacific. Returning to California after the war, he got back into acting again. He spent most of his career in bit parts and extra work until he was called to audition for the pilot for the western comedy series F Troop (1965). When told he would be testing for the part of the lookout, Brooks got the idea to play him as extremely nearsighted, making him virtually useless as a sentry. The pilot sold and Brooks was cast in the series as the "sight-impaired" lookout, Trooper Vanderbilt.
Acting
Movie
Gremlins
as Dave Meyers (Santa)
1984
Movie
Strangers on a Train
as Carnival Patron (uncredited)
1951
Movie
A Streetcar Named Desire
as Worker (uncredited)
1951
TV
I Dream of Jeannie
as Crane Driver
1965
Movie
East of Eden
as Townsman at Carnival (uncredited)
1955
TV
Bewitched
as Umpire
1964
TV
Batman
as Fat Man
1966
TV
Batman
as Visor
1966
TV
The Munsters
as The 1st Workman
1964
TV
The Six Million Dollar Man
as Doorman
1974
TV
The Six Million Dollar Man
as Janitor
1974
Movie
The Bad News Bears
as Umpire
1976
Movie
Julius Caesar
as Citizen of Rome (uncredited)
1953
Movie
The Enemy Below
as German Soldier (uncredited)
1957
Movie
The Young Lions
as Minor Role (uncredited)
1958
Movie
Cheyenne Autumn
as Bartender (uncredited)
1964
Movie
Bite the Bullet
1975
Movie
The Big Bus
as Bus Passenger
1976
Movie
Flaming Star
as Man #5 at Crossing (uncredited)
1960
Movie
The Rare Breed
as Bartender (uncredited)
1966
Movie
Robin and the 7 Hoods
as Gisborne's Hood
1964
Movie
There's Always Tomorrow
1956
Movie
Eye of the Tiger
as Jake
1986
Movie
Wichita
as Townsman (uncredited)
1955