Bobby Barber
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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.
Acting
Movie
Modern Times
as Worker (uncredited)
1936
Movie
To Kill a Mockingbird
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
1962
Movie
Laura
as Newsboy (uncredited)
1944
Movie
The Lady Eve
as Ship's Waiter with Toupee (uncredited)
1941
Movie
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein
as Waiter
1948
Movie
Horse Feathers
as Speakeasy Patron (uncredited)
1932
Movie
Anchors Aweigh
as Salad Cook on Olvera Street (uncredited)
1945
Movie
The Joker is Wild
as Waiter (uncredited)
1957
Movie
Dodsworth
as Italian Taxi Driver (uncredited)
1936
Movie
The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer
as Birthday Cake Waiter (uncredited)
1947
Movie
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man
as Sneaky (uncredited)
1951
Movie
Stranger on the Third Floor
as Giuseppe, the Italian Grocer (uncredited)
1940
TV
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
as Juror (uncredited)
1962
Movie
I Walk Alone
as Newsboy (uncredited)
1947
Movie
Hold That Ghost
as Waiter (uncredited)
1941
Movie
Carefree
as (uncredited)
1938
Movie
Vivacious Lady
as Italian Waiter at Nightclub (uncredited)
1938
Movie
Africa Screams
as Chauffeur (uncredited)
1949
Movie
Pardners
as Townsman (uncredited)
1956
Movie
I'm No Angel
as Man in Crowd (uncredited)
1933
TV
Adventures of Superman
as Tony the Masseur
1952
Movie
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff
as Dry Cleaning Man (uncredited)
1949
Movie
History Is Made at Night
as Paul - Waiter at Victor's (uncredited)
1937
Movie
Lady on a Train
1945