--- name: "Vince Barnett" canonical: "https://film.one/person/vince-barnett" fi1m_id: "vince-barnett" imdb_id: "nm0055998" tmdb_id: 13357 wikidata_id: "Q3559408" roles: ["Actor"] born: "4 July 1902" died: "10 August 1977" reviewed_on_fi1m: 2 average_fi1m_score: 84 average_as: "actor" average_over: 2 updated: "2026-09-25T03:52:39.929537+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Vince Barnett ## Identity Vince Barnett - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/vince-barnett - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** vince-barnett - **IMDb ID:** nm0055998 - **TMDB ID:** 13357 - **Wikidata ID:** Q3559408 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_Barnett, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3559408, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0055998/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/13357 Actor. Born 4 July 1902 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Died 10 August 1977. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 4 July 1902, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA - **Died:** 10 August 1977 - **Active:** 1932–1946 - **Also known as:** Vincent Lysle Barnett, Vincent L. Barnett, Vincent Barnett - **Average Fi1m score:** 84, as actor, over 2 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1930s 85 (1), 1940s 84 (1) - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_Barnett, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3559408, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0055998/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/13357 ## Fi1m on Vince Barnett > Vince Barnett's comic gangsters and careworn supporting men are worth noticing. We like his comic support in *Scarface* and his quieter work in *The Killers*, though familiar casting often leaves him little room to surprise us. Angelo, the gangster's secretary in *Scarface* (1932), cannot read, which is an awkward start for anyone in an administrative post. Barnett plays him as a loyal, dim-witted subordinate to Paul Muni's Tony Camonte. We laughed at the mismatch between his devotion and his qualifications. That loyalty gives Barnett something to play beyond a man who cannot do his job. In Howard Hawks's vicious, funny film, he is worth noticing alongside the more restrained George Raft and the restless camera. His early screen work drew on vaudeville and Broadway, with comic gangsters, henchmen and bumbling sidekicks recurring after he entered films in 1930. Deadpan humour and malapropisms were practical skills for those parts. The danger was repetition: casting an actor to be hapless does not necessarily give him a fresh joke. *The Corpse Vanishes* (1942), in which he plays Sandy alongside Bela Lugosi, belongs to that stretch of supporting horror and comedy work. The more interesting change comes after the war, with a move towards straighter, careworn character parts. In Robert Siodmak's *The Killers* (1946), his Charleston is a jaded former cellmate whose task includes telling us things we need to know. Barnett delivers that information with sardonic weariness, making the explanation sound like something the man has lived through. That is useful acting in a thriller whose flashbacks can make the story cumbersome. Siodmak has a dependable supporting player here, even while Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner hold most of our attention. *Brute Force* (1947), in which he plays Muggsy, continues that move into straighter character work. His later bartenders, janitors and drunks offered scope for understatement, but the casting kept asking him for familiar things. Such figures can be taken in at a glance, leaving an actor little chance to suggest anything we had not already expected. Start with *Scarface*, then watch *The Killers* for the quieter work. ## Biography Vince Barnett was an American actor. Born on 4 July 1902 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he died on 10 August 1977 in Encino, California. He began his career on stage and initially worked in Hollywood as a screenwriter for two-reel comedies in the late 1920s before making his screen acting debut in 1930. Barnett appeared in more than 230 films, often in comedy bits and supporting roles. His credits include *All Quiet on the Western Front* (1930), *Scarface* (1932) as Angelo, *Horse Feathers* (1932), *The Killers* (1946) as Charleston and *Brute Force* (1947). He also worked in television, with appearances in series such as *The Andy Griffith Show* (1960) and *Perry Mason* (1957). His career spanned until 1975. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (2) - *The Killers* (1946), Fi1m 84, as Charleston — [page](https://film.one/film/the-killers.md) - *Scarface* (1932), Fi1m 85, as Angelo — [page](https://film.one/film/scarface-1932.md) ## Complete filmography (171) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Sixpack Annie* (1975), as Bartender - *Crazy Mama* (1975), as Homer - *Summer School Teachers* (1974), as Principal Adams - *Here's Lucy* (1968), series, as Cabbie #1 - *Mayberry R.F.D.* (1968), series, as Elmo - *Cimarron Strip* (1967), series, Actor - *The Big Mouth* (1967), as Man at Telephone Booth (uncredited) - *The Spy in the Green Hat* (1967), as 'Scissors' - *Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine* (1965), as Janitor - *Green Acres* (1965), series, Actor - *The Family Jewels* (1965), as Automobile Owner at Gas Station - *Zebra in the Kitchen* (1965), as Man in Manhole - *The Man from U.N.C.L.E.* (1964), series, as Scissors - *The Sound of Laughter* (1963), as Vince (Small Duck Hunter) - *Glynis* (1963), series, Actor - *The Andy Griffith Show* (1960), series, as Elmo - *The Rookie* (1959), as Pentagon janitor - *Girl on the Run* (1958), as Janitor - *Perry Mason* (1957), series, as Noonan - *The Quiet Gun* (1957), as Undertaker - *Outlaw Queen* (1957), as Gamler - *The Crooked Web* (1955), as Ed - Stan's Partner in Drive-In (uncredited) - *Letter to Loretta* (1953), series, as Grimes - *Charade* (1953), as Berg - *The Jazz Singer* (1953), as Bartender - *The Life Of Riley* (1953), series, as Herman - *Springfield Rifle* (1952), as Cook (uncredited) - *Carson City* (1952), as Henry - *On Dangerous Ground* (1951), as George (uncredited) - *I'll See You in My Dreams* (1951), as Burlesk Comedian (uncredited) - *Kentucky Jubilee* (1951), as Mugsy - *Hunt the Man Down* (1950), as Joe (uncredited) - *International Burlesque* (1950), as Comedian · Writer - *Border Treasure* (1950), as Pokey - *Mule Train* (1950), as Joe - Barber - *The Grass Is Always Greener* (1950), as Cooky - *Deputy Marshal* (1949), as Hotel Clerk - *Knock on Any Door* (1949), as Carl Swanson - Bartender (uncredited) - *Loaded Pistols* (1948), as Sam Gardner - *Thunder in the Pines* (1948), as Bernard, the Bartender - *Big Town Scandal* (1948), as Louie Snead - *High Wall* (1947), as Henry Cronner - *Big Town After Dark* (1947), as Louie Snead - *Joe Palooka in the Knockout* (1947), as Russell - *Brute Force* (1947), as Muggsy - *The Trespasser* (1947), as Bartender - *Little Miss Broadway* (1947), as Mack Truck - *Gas House Kids Go West* (1947), as Steve - *Shoot to Kill* (1947), as Charlie Gill - *I Cover Big Town* (1947), as Louis Murkil - *My Brother Talks to Horses* (1947), as Schuyler (uncredited) - *The Killers* (1946), as Charleston — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/the-killers.md) - *Bowery Bombshell* (1946), as Street Cleaner - *Two Sisters from Boston* (1946), as Singing Waiter (uncredited) - *The Virginian* (1946), as Baldy - *The Falcon's Alibi* (1946), as Goldie Locke - *No Leave, No Love* (1946), as Ben - *Sensation Hunters* (1945), as Agent - *River Gang* (1945), as Organ Grinder - *Thrill of a Romance* (1945), as Oscar - *High Powered* (1945), as Short Bald Man at Dance - *The Big Show-Off* (1945), as Voice Student - *Leave It to the Irish* (1944), as Barney Baker - *The Mask of Dimitrios* (1944), as Card Game Kibitzer (uncredited) - *Jungle Woman* (1944), as Curley (archive footage / uncredited) - *Sweethearts of the U.S.A.* (1944), as Clipper - 3rd Robber - *Danger! Women at Work* (1943), as Benny - *Tornado* (1943), as Alvin - *Petticoat Larceny* (1943), as Stogie - *Captive Wild Woman* (1943), as Curly - *Kid Dynamite* (1943), as Klinkhammer - *Cosmo Jones, Crime Smasher* (1943), as Henchman 'Gimp' - *Queen of Broadway* (1942), as Schultz - *X Marks the Spot* (1942), as Waiter at Diner - *Bowery at Midnight* (1942), as Charley - *Foreign Agent* (1942), as Silly Drunk at Bar - *Baby Face Morgan* (1942), as Lefty Lewis - *The Phantom Plainsmen* (1942), Actor - *My Favorite Spy* (1942), as Kay's 2nd Taxi Driver - *Gallant Lady* (1942), as Baldy - *Stardust on the Sage* (1942), as Haskins - *The Corpse Vanishes* (1942), as Sandy - *The Lady or the Tiger?* (1942), as The King - *Klondike Fury* (1942), as Alaska - *Girls' Town* (1942), as Dimitri - *How to Hold Your Husband - BACK* (1941), as Husband #2 (uncredited) - *Blonde Comet* (1941), as Curly - *I Killed That Man* (1941), as Drunk - *Jungle Man* (1941), as Buckthorn 'Buck' the Guide - *A Dangerous Game* (1941), as Ephriam - *Puddin' Head* (1941), as Broken Teapot Man - *Gangs Inc.* (1941), as Scribbler, a Petty Forger - *Mr. District Attorney* (1941), as Coroner's Messenger - *What the Country Needs* (1941), as Political Speaker / Singer - *Heroes of the Saddle* (1940), as Night Watchman - *Seven Sinners* (1940), as Bartender - *Stranger on the Third Floor* (1940), as Cafe Customer (uncredited) - *Boys of the City* (1940), as Simp - *East Side Kids* (1940), as Whisper - *Overland Mail* (1939), as Porchy - *Yankee Doodle Home* (1939), as Song Writer - *Exile Express* (1939), as Kentville Deputy Constable - *Ride 'em, Cowgirl* (1939), as Dan Haggerty - *Water Rustlers* (1939), as Mike - the cook - *Sunset Murder Case* (1938), as Barney - *The Headleys at Home* (1938), as Vince Bergson - *The Singing Cowgirl* (1938), as Kewpie - *Boots of Destiny* (1937), as Acey Ducey- Sidekick - *Bank Alarm* (1937), as Clarence "Bulb" Callahan - *The Woman I Love* (1937), as Mathieu - *After the Thin Man* (1936), as Wrester's Manager (uncredited) - *We're in the Legion Now* (1936), as Spike Conover - *Captain Calamity* (1936), as Burp - *Yellow Cargo* (1936), as Speedy 'Bulbs' Callahan - *I Cover Chinatown* (1936), as Puss McGaffey, the Bus Driver - *Down to the Sea* (1936), as Hector - *Dancing Feet* (1936), as Willoughby - *Sunkist Stars at Palm Springs* (1936), Actor - *The Brain Busters* (1936), as Vince - *Riffraff* (1936), as Lew - *Pirate Party on Catalina Isle* (1935), as Performer - *I Live My Life* (1935), as Clerk - *Just Another Murder* (1935), as Vincent Smart - *Streamline Express* (1935), as Mr. Jones - *Champagne for Breakfast* (1935), as Bennie - *Don't Bet on Blondes* (1935), as Chuck aka 'Brains' - *The Farmer Takes a Wife* (1935), as Fairground Fortune Teller - *Black Fury* (1935), as Kubanda - *Princess O'Hara* (1935), as Fingers - *The Secret Bride* (1934), as Drunk in Diner - *Hell in the Heavens* (1934), as Ace McGurk - *Two Lame Ducks* (1934), as Vince - *Crimson Romance* (1934), as The Courier - *No Ransom* (1934), as Bullet - *Young and Beautiful* (1934), as Sammy - *Kansas City Princess* (1934), as Quincy - Dynamite's Henchman - *Super Stupid* (1934), Actor - *She Loves Me Not* (1934), as Baldy Schultz - *The Affairs of Cellini* (1934), as Ascanio - *Take the Stand* (1934), as Tony - *Now I'll Tell* (1934), as Peppo - *Thirty Day Princess* (1934), as Count Nicholeus - *Registered Nurse* (1934), as Jerry - *Madame Spy* (1934), as Peter - *The 9th Guest* (1934), as William Jones - *Air Maniacs* (1933), as Comic Photographer - *The Prizefighter and the Lady* (1933), as Bugsie - *Man of the Forest* (1933), as Little - *Tugboat Annie* (1933), as Cab Driver (uncredited) - *The Girl in 419* (1933), as Otto Hoffer - *Sunset Pass* (1933), as Windy - *Made on Broadway* (1933), as Snitz Lepedis - *The Big Cage* (1933), as Soupmeat - *Fast Workers* (1933), as Spike - *The Trial of Vince Barnett* (1933), Actor - *Hallelujah, I'm a Bum* (1933), as Undetermined Secondary Role - *Flesh* (1932), as Waiter - *The Death Kiss* (1932), as Officer Gulliver - *Rackety Rax* (1932), as 'Dutch' - *Ma's Pride and Joy* (1932), as Sidney Goldblatt - *Heritage of the Desert* (1932), as Windy - *Tiger Shark* (1932), as Fishbone - *Horse Feathers* (1932), as Speakeasy Patron (uncredited) - *The Night Mayor* (1932), as Louis Mossbaum, Tailor - *Scarface* (1932), as Angelo — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/scarface-1932.md) - *Scratch-As-Catch-Can* (1931), Actor - *Side Show* (1931), as The Great Santini - *Scandal Sheet* (1931), as Barrett, Convict Reporter - *A Royal Flush* (1930), Actor - *All Quiet on the Western Front* (1930), as Assistant Cook (uncredited) - *Wide Open* (1930), as Dvorak ## Gallery - ![Actor and comedian Vince Barnett, sitting with his chin resting on his hand (1936)](https://film.one/media/person/3853300/gallery-525ace175f53.jpg) Actor and comedian Vince Barnett, sitting with his chin resting on his hand (1936) — Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Vince_Barnett%2C_actor_and_comedian.jpg/1280px-Vince_Barnett%2C_actor_and_comedian.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Vince Barnett](https://film.one/media/person/3853300/gallery-eaaf166c9d77.jpg) Vince Barnett — Image via TMDB - ![Vince Barnett](https://film.one/media/person/3853300/gallery-19eafd34afd6.jpg) Vince Barnett — Image via TMDB --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/vince-barnett