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Joe Brooks

Actor | * 12/14/1923 († 83, 12/05/2007) | Los Angeles, California (United States of America (USA))
John Joseph Brooks Jr. (December 14, 1923 – December 5, 2007) was an American character actor, best known for portraying Trooper Vanderbilt, the near-sighted soldier, in F Troop. He was born and died in Los Angeles, and began his acting career after graduating from high school; he had his first speaking part in the 1944 John Wayne film, The Fighting Seabees. During World War II, Brooks put his acting career on hold and served his country fighting in the South Pacific. He then returned to California and continued to act, mainly as an extra and in bit parts until he was called to audition for the role of Vanderbilt. His career spanned some 22 movies and numerous television appearances over 40 years. His other credits include the films East of Eden (1955), Tall Man Riding (1955), The Young Lions (1958), Born Reckless (1958), Flaming Star (1960), Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964), Pursuit (1972), The Bad News Bears (1976), Gremlins... ()
Photo of 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.

Most frequent genres for this person: Comedies | Drama | Action

Known for these Movies & Shows

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Movies with Joe Brooks as Actor(15)

as Jake1986 Eye of the Tiger
as Dave Meyers (Santa)1984 Gremlins
as Bus Passenger1976 The Big Bus
as Cop1972 Pursuit
as Pvt. Luke Bannerman (uncredited)1964 Advance to the Rear
as Catcher (uncredited)1963 Critic's Choice
as Driver1962 Bachelor Flat
as Townsman (uncredited)1955 Wichita
as Townsman at Carnival (uncredited)1955 East of Eden
as Observer at Accident Scene (uncredited)1955 I Died a Thousand Times
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)1951 Rhubarb
as Worker (uncredited)1951 A Streetcar Named Desire
as Pilot (uncredited)1944 The Fighting Seabees

TV Shows/Series with Joe Brooks as Actor(10)

as Fat Man1966 Batman
as Visor1966 Batman
as Crane Driver1965 I Dream of Jeannie
1965 F Troop
as Umpire1964 Bewitched
as The 1st Workman1964 The Munsters
as Heckler1959 Rawhide
as Sentry1959 Rawhide

Full Name: Joe Brooks
Born: Friday, 12/14 1923 (December) in Los Angeles, California (United States of America (USA))
Died: Wednesday, 12/05 2007 (December) in Los Angeles (aged: 83)
Zodiac sign: Sagittarius (Chinese zodiac sign: Pig)
Languages: English (EN, native language)
Other names for Joe Brooks (nicknames, foreign languages etc.):
"John Joseph Brooks Jr."
"Joe Brooks (Schauspieler)"
Joe Brooks frequently works together with these people:
Harry Harvey (11x, Actor)
Harry Lauter (10x, Actor)
Richard Reeves (10x, Actor)
Robert J. Wilke (9x, Actor)
Don Barry (9x, Actor)
Claude Akins (8x, Actor)
Michael Ansara (8x, Actor)
Michael Pate (8x, Actor)
John Dehner (7x, Actor)
William Phipps (7x, Actor)
Gordon Bau (4x, Crew)

Other people with this name: Joe Brooks

WatchPlayStream ID: PEOPLE:376342, Added: 08/16/2018, Last updated: 03/14/2024