Joe Brooks

Acting · Crew

Born December 14, 1923, Los Angeles, California, USA

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.

Filmography

• 1986Eye of the Tiger — Jake
• 1984Gremlins — Santa
• 1976The Bad News Bears — Umpire
• 1976The Big Bus — Bus Passenger
• 1975Bite the Bullet
• The Six Million Dollar Man — Doorman, Janitor
• 1972Pursuit — Cop
• 1971Vanishing Point — Stunts
• Batman — Fat Man, Visor
• 1966The Rare Breed — Bartender (uncredited)
• F Troop
• I Dream of Jeannie — Crane Driver
• 1964Advance to the Rear — Pvt. Luke Bannerman (uncredited)
• Bewitched — Umpire
• 1964Cheyenne Autumn — Bartender (uncredited)
• 1964Kisses for My President — Photographer (uncredited)
• 1964Robin and the 7 Hoods — Gisborne's Hood (uncredited)
• The Munsters — The 1st Workman
• 1963Critic's Choice — Catcher (uncredited)
• The Dakotas — Seth (uncredited), Townsman (uncredited)
• 1962Five Weeks in a Balloon — Villager (uncredited)
• 1961Angel Baby — Revival Meeting Guest (uncredited)
• 1961Bachelor Flat — Driver
• 1960Flaming Star — Man #5 at Crossing (uncredited), Stunts
• Rawhide — Heckler, Sentry
• 77 Sunset Strip
• 1958The Young Lions — Minor Role (uncredited)
• 1957The Enemy Below — German Soldier (uncredited)
• 1956There's Always Tomorrow
• Cheyenne
• 1955East of Eden — Townsman at Carnival (uncredited)
• 1955I Died a Thousand Times — Observer at Accident Scene (uncredited)
• 1955Illegal — Reporter (uncredited)
• 1955Tall Man Riding — Townsman (uncredited)
• 1955Wichita — Townsman (uncredited)
• 1953Julius Caesar — Citizen of Rome (uncredited)
• 1952Carson City — Miner (uncredited)
• 1951A Streetcar Named Desire — Worker (uncredited)
• 1951Rhubarb — Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
• 1951Strangers on a Train — Carnival Patron (uncredited)
• 1944The Fighting Seabees — Pilot (uncredited)