Joe Brooks
Known for: Acting
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
Series
Bewitched
Umpire
1964
Series
Batman
Fat Man
1966
Series
Batman
Visor
1966
Series
The Six Million Dollar Man
Doorman
1974
Series
The Six Million Dollar Man
Janitor
1974
Series
Cheyenne
1955
Series
I Dream of Jeannie
Crane Driver
1965
Series
Rawhide
Heckler
1959
Series
Rawhide
Sentry
1959
Series
The Munsters
The 1st Workman
1964
Series
77 Sunset Strip
1958
Film
Gremlins
Dave Meyers (Santa)
1984
Series
F Troop
1965
Film
East of Eden
Townsman at Carnival (uncredited)
1955
Film
Strangers on a Train
Carnival Patron (uncredited)
1951
Film
A Streetcar Named Desire
Worker (uncredited)
1951
Series
The Dakotas
Seth (uncredited)
1963
Series
The Dakotas
Townsman (uncredited)
1963
Film
The Enemy Below
German Soldier (uncredited)
1957
Film
Bite the Bullet
1975
Film
Cheyenne Autumn
Bartender (uncredited)
1964
Film
The Rare Breed
Bartender (uncredited)
1966
Film
Julius Caesar
Citizen of Rome (uncredited)
1953
Film
The Big Bus
Bus Passenger
1976
Film
Flaming Star
Man #5 at Crossing (uncredited)
1960
Film
The Bad News Bears
Umpire
1976
Film
The Young Lions
Minor Role (uncredited)
1958
Film
Robin and the 7 Hoods
Gisborne's Hood (uncredited)
1964
Film
Eye of the Tiger
Jake
1986
Film
The Fighting Seabees
Pilot (uncredited)
1944
Film
Wichita
Townsman (uncredited)
1955
Film
Carson City
Miner (uncredited)
1952
Film
I Died a Thousand Times
Observer at Accident Scene (uncredited)
1955
Film
There's Always Tomorrow
1956
Film
Five Weeks in a Balloon
Villager (uncredited)
1962
Film
Illegal
Reporter (uncredited)
1955
Film
Critic's Choice
Catcher (uncredited)
1963
Film
Tall Man Riding
Townsman (uncredited)
1955
Film
Advance to the Rear
Pvt. Luke Bannerman (uncredited)
1964
Film
Angel Baby
Revival Meeting Guest (uncredited)
1961
Film
Pursuit
Cop
1972
Film
Rhubarb
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
1951
Film
Kisses for My President
Photographer (uncredited)
1964
Film
Bachelor Flat
Driver
1961