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.
Filmography (40 titles)
6.1MovieEye of the Tiger
Jake · 1986
7.1MovieGremlins
Dave Meyers (Santa) · 1984
5.3MovieThe Big Bus
Bus Passenger · 1976
6.9MovieThe Bad News Bears
Umpire · 1976
6.5MovieBite the Bullet
1975
7.3ShowThe Six Million Dollar Man
Doorman · 1974
5.4MoviePursuit
Cop · 1972
6.2MovieThe Rare Breed
Bartender (uncredited) · 1966
7.3ShowBatman
Fat Man · 1966
7.8ShowI Dream of Jeannie
Crane Driver · 1965
6.3ShowF Troop
1965
6.7MovieCheyenne Autumn
Bartender (uncredited) · 1964
7.9ShowThe Munsters
The 1st Workman · 1964
7.9ShowBewitched
Umpire · 1964
7.6MovieKisses for My President
Photographer (uncredited) · 1964
6.2MovieRobin and the 7 Hoods
Gisborne's Hood · 1964
5.2MovieAdvance to the Rear
Pvt. Luke Bannerman (uncredited) · 1964
5.6MovieCritic's Choice
Catcher (uncredited) · 1963
6.5ShowThe Dakotas
Seth (uncredited) · 1963
5.5MovieFive Weeks in a Balloon
Villager (uncredited) · 1962
5.6MovieBachelor Flat
Driver · 1961
6.1MovieAngel Baby
Revival Meeting Guest (uncredited) · 1961
6.5MovieFlaming Star
Man #5 at Crossing (uncredited) · 1960
7.2ShowRawhide
Heckler · 1959
7.2Show77 Sunset Strip
1958
6.8MovieThe Young Lions
Minor Role (uncredited) · 1958
7.1MovieThe Enemy Below
German Soldier (uncredited) · 1957
7.2MovieThere's Always Tomorrow
1956
6.2MovieI Died a Thousand Times
Observer at Accident Scene (uncredited) · 1955
6.4MovieIllegal
Reporter (uncredited) · 1955