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
Eye of the Tiger
as Jake
Eye of the Tiger
as Jake
Gremlins
as Dave Meyers (Santa)
Gremlins
as Dave Meyers (Santa)
The Big Bus
as Bus Passenger
The Big Bus
as Bus Passenger
The Bad News Bears
as Umpire
The Bad News Bears
as Umpire
Bite the Bullet
Bite the Bullet
Pursuit
as Cop
Pursuit
as Cop
The Rare Breed
as Bartender (uncredited)
The Rare Breed
as Bartender (uncredited)
Cheyenne Autumn
as Bartender (uncredited)
Cheyenne Autumn
as Bartender (uncredited)
Kisses for My President
as Photographer (uncredited)
Kisses for My President
as Photographer (uncredited)
Robin and the 7 Hoods
as Gisborne's Hood (uncredited)
Robin and the 7 Hoods
as Gisborne's Hood (uncredited)
Advance to the Rear
as Pvt. Luke Bannerman (uncredited)
Advance to the Rear
as Pvt. Luke Bannerman (uncredited)
Critic's Choice
as Catcher (uncredited)
Critic's Choice
as Catcher (uncredited)
Five Weeks in a Balloon
as Villager (uncredited)
Five Weeks in a Balloon
as Villager (uncredited)
Bachelor Flat
as Driver
Bachelor Flat
as Driver
Angel Baby
as Revival Meeting Guest (uncredited)
Angel Baby
as Revival Meeting Guest (uncredited)
Flaming Star
as Man #5 at Crossing (uncredited)
Flaming Star
as Man #5 at Crossing (uncredited)
The Young Lions
as Minor Role (uncredited)
The Young Lions
as Minor Role (uncredited)
The Enemy Below
as German Soldier (uncredited)
The Enemy Below
as German Soldier (uncredited)
There's Always Tomorrow
There's Always Tomorrow
I Died a Thousand Times
as Observer at Accident Scene (uncredited)
I Died a Thousand Times
as Observer at Accident Scene (uncredited)
Illegal
as Reporter (uncredited)
Illegal
as Reporter (uncredited)
Wichita
as Townsman (uncredited)
Wichita
as Townsman (uncredited)
Tall Man Riding
as Townsman (uncredited)
Tall Man Riding
as Townsman (uncredited)
East of Eden
as Townsman at Carnival (uncredited)
East of Eden
as Townsman at Carnival (uncredited)
Julius Caesar
as Citizen of Rome (uncredited)
Julius Caesar
as Citizen of Rome (uncredited)
Carson City
as Miner (uncredited)
Carson City
as Miner (uncredited)
A Streetcar Named Desire
as Worker (uncredited)
A Streetcar Named Desire
as Worker (uncredited)
Rhubarb
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Rhubarb
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Strangers on a Train
as Carnival Patron (uncredited)
Strangers on a Train
as Carnival Patron (uncredited)
The Fighting Seabees
as Pilot (uncredited)
The Fighting Seabees
as Pilot (uncredited)