Bud Abbott and
Lou Costello frequently used him as a form of "court jester" on
the set of their films. It was his job to keep the energy level up
through a series of pranks and practical jokes. He would even suddenly
appear on camera during a take to break up the cast and crew. In
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), Lou 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 Bud and Lou
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 or bellhop, in many of Abbott and Costello's
films, and played many different characters--often just walk-ons,
sometimes just a picture of him on a wall or a "wanted" poster of him
in a Post Office--in their TV series. His final film appearance was in
Lou Costello's last picture.
The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock (1959). His film career included bit parts in
over 100 (known) feature films.