Barney Phillips
Encyclopedia
Barney Phillips was an American
film
, radio
and television
actor
.
after graduating from college in 1935.
Interested in acting, he was able to get a small part in an independently-produced Grade B western called Black Aces in 1937, but his show business career then languished. Phillips enlisted in the US Army in July 1941 under his real name, serving in the signal corps during World War II
.
Following the war, Phillips procured small parts in several films during 1949-1952, before getting a regular role on the NBC television version of Dragnet
, as Sgt. Ed Jacobs. He also voiced the recurring role of Hamilton J. Finger, a police sergeant in Frank Sinatra
's radio program, Rocky Fortune
, in 1953 and 1954. Thereafter he was a prolific character actor in both films and television series throughout the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1959-1960 television season, Phillips portrayed police Lieutenant
Geller in the syndicated
crime drama, Johnny Midnight
, starring Edmond O'Brien
as a New York City
actor
-turned-private detective. The following season, Phillips appeared as another police lieutenant, named "Avery", in seven episodes of the syndicated crime drama The Brothers Brannagan
, starring Stephen Dunne
and Mark Roberts
.
Phillips remained active in television during the 1970s just prior to his death in 1982.
Phillips was generally a guest star or featured player (e.g. a one time appearance as an escaped criminal on the Andy Griffith Show), but did have a number of recurring character roles in television, and also as a series regular in Twelve O'Clock High
(1964–67) and The Betty White Show
(1977–78). However, his best known role is likely to be as a surprising diner counterman in a well-known episode of The Twilight Zone
called "Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?".
Among many other appearances, Phillips can be seen briefly in Stan Freberg
's famous Jeno's pizza roll commercial.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
.
Biography and career
He was born Bernard Philip Ofner in St. Louis, Missouri, to Harry Nathan Ofner, a commercial salesman for the leather industry, and Leona Frank Ofner, a naturalized citizen of German origin, who went by the nickname Lonnie. Phillips grew up and was educated in St. Louis, then moved to Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
after graduating from college in 1935.
Interested in acting, he was able to get a small part in an independently-produced Grade B western called Black Aces in 1937, but his show business career then languished. Phillips enlisted in the US Army in July 1941 under his real name, serving in the signal corps during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Following the war, Phillips procured small parts in several films during 1949-1952, before getting a regular role on the NBC television version of Dragnet
Dragnet (series)
Dragnet is a radio and television crime drama about the cases of a dedicated Los Angeles police detective, Sergeant Joe Friday, and his partners...
, as Sgt. Ed Jacobs. He also voiced the recurring role of Hamilton J. Finger, a police sergeant in Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
's radio program, Rocky Fortune
Rocky Fortune
Rocky Fortune was the title of an American radio drama that aired weekly on NBC Radio beginning in October 1953 . The series ended its run in March 1954 after 25 episodes. The program was created by George Lefferts...
, in 1953 and 1954. Thereafter he was a prolific character actor in both films and television series throughout the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1959-1960 television season, Phillips portrayed police Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
Geller in the syndicated
Television syndication
In broadcasting, syndication is the sale of the right to broadcast radio shows and television shows by multiple radio stations and television stations, without going through a broadcast network, though the process of syndication may conjure up structures like those of a network itself, by its very...
crime drama, Johnny Midnight
Johnny Midnight (TV series)
Johnny Midnight is an American crime drama that aired for one season in syndicated from January to December 1960. The series stars Edmond O'Brien as the title character.-Synopsis:...
, starring Edmond O'Brien
Edmond O'Brien
Edmond O'Brien was an American actor who is perhaps best remembered for his role in D.O.A. and his Oscar winning role in The Barefoot Contessa...
as a New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
-turned-private detective. The following season, Phillips appeared as another police lieutenant, named "Avery", in seven episodes of the syndicated crime drama The Brothers Brannagan
The Brothers Brannagan
The Brothers Brannagan is an American crime drama television series that aired in syndication from September 24, 1960, and July 15, 1961.-Synopsis:...
, starring Stephen Dunne
Stephen Dunne
Stephen Dunne was an American actor.He was active on television and in films from 1945 to 1973 and was also credited as Steve Dunn, Michael Dunne, Stephan Dunne, and Steve Dunne.He also had roles on radio at several times, including as the voice of private eye...
and Mark Roberts
Mark Roberts (actor)
Mark Roberts was an American stage, film and television support actor who appeared in over 100 films between 1938 and 1994, according to the Internet Movie Database. Sometimes he was credited as Bob Scott, Robert E. Scott, or Robert Scott...
.
Phillips remained active in television during the 1970s just prior to his death in 1982.
Phillips was generally a guest star or featured player (e.g. a one time appearance as an escaped criminal on the Andy Griffith Show), but did have a number of recurring character roles in television, and also as a series regular in Twelve O'Clock High
Twelve O'Clock High
Twelve O'Clock High is a 1949 American war film about aircrews in the United States Army's Eighth Air Force who flew daylight bombing missions against Nazi Germany and occupied France during the early days of American involvement in World War II. The film was adapted by Sy Bartlett, Henry King ...
(1964–67) and The Betty White Show
The Betty White Show
The Betty White Show is an American sitcom which aired on CBS from September 12, 1977, to January 2, 1978. Fourteen episodes were transmitted. The series was produced by MTM Enterprises.-Synopsis:...
(1977–78). However, his best known role is likely to be as a surprising diner counterman in a well-known episode of The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)
The Twilight Zone is an American anthology television series created by Rod Serling, which ran for five seasons on CBS from 1959 to 1964. The series consisted of unrelated episodes depicting paranormal, futuristic, dystopian, or simply disturbing events; each show typically featured a surprising...
called "Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?".
Among many other appearances, Phillips can be seen briefly in Stan Freberg
Stan Freberg
Stanley Victor "Stan" Freberg is an American author, recording artist, animation voice actor, comedian, radio personality, puppeteer, and advertising creative director whose career began in 1944...
's famous Jeno's pizza roll commercial.
Partial filmography
- Black Aces (1937) ...as Jake Stoddard
- The Judge (1949) ...as Reporter
- Little Egypt (1951) ...as Reporter
- My Six ConvictsMy Six ConvictsMy Six Convicts is an American 1952 comedy-drama film adapted from the autobiographical book written by Donald Powell Wilson. The film was adapted for the screen by screenwriter Michael Blankfort and directed by Hugo Fregonese who was nominated for the Directors Guild of America Award for...
(1952) ...as Baker foreman - Down Among the Sheltering Palms (1952) ...as Pvt. Murphy
- Has Anybody Seen My Gal? (1952) ...as Workman
- Ruby Gentry (1952) ...as Dr. Saul Manfred
- Eight Iron MenEight Iron Men-Cast:* Bonar Colleano as Pvt. Collucci* Arthur Franz as Carter* Lee Marvin as Sgt. Joe Mooney* Richard Kiley as Pvt. Coke* Nick Dennis as Pvt. Sapiros* James Griffith as Pvt. Ferguson* Dickie Moore as Pvt. Muller * George Cooper as Pvt...
(1952) ...as Capt. Trelawney - A Blueprint for MurderA Blueprint for MurderA Blueprint for Murder is a thriller film starring Joseph Cotten, Jean Peters, and Gary Merrill, and directed and written by Andrew L. Stone.-Plot:...
(1953) ...as Capt. Pringle - I Was a Teenage WerewolfI Was a Teenage WerewolfI Was a Teenage Werewolf is a 1957 horror film starring Michael Landon as a troubled teenager and Whit Bissell as the primary adult. It was co-written and produced by cult film producer Herman Cohen, and was one of the most successful films released by American International Pictures...
(1957) ...as Det. Sgt. Donovan - Cry Terror!Cry Terror!Cry Terror! is a 1958 thriller film starring James Mason, Inger Stevens, and Rod Steiger.-Plot:An innocent family gets caught in the middle when a gang threatens to blow up an airplane unless a ransom is paid.-Cast:*James Mason as Jim Molner...
(1958) - The Sand Pebbles (film)The Sand Pebbles (film)The Sand Pebbles is a 1966 American period war film directed by Robert Wise. It tells the story of an independent, rebellious U.S. Navy Machinist's Mate aboard the fictional gunboat USS San Pablo in 1920s China....
(1966) ...as Chief Petty OfficerChief Petty OfficerA chief petty officer is a senior non-commissioned officer in many navies and coast guards.-Canada:"Chief Petty Officer" refers to two ranks in the Canadian Navy...
Franks
Television credits (partial)
- DragnetDragnet (series)Dragnet is a radio and television crime drama about the cases of a dedicated Los Angeles police detective, Sergeant Joe Friday, and his partners...
: series regular (1952) as Sgt. Ed Jacobs - The Adventures of Ozzie and HarrietThe Adventures of Ozzie and HarrietThe Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet is an American sitcom, airing on ABC from October 3, 1952 to September 3, 1966, starring the real life Nelson family. After a long run on radio, the show was brought to television where it continued its success, running on both radio and TV for a couple of years...
: (1957–58) as Various - Peter GunnPeter GunnPeter Gunn is an American private eye television series which aired on the NBC and later ABC television networks from 1958 to 1961. The show's creator was Blake Edwards...
: "The Blind Pianist" (1958) ...as Stephen Ware - Hawaiian EyeHawaiian EyeHawaiian Eye is an American television series that ran from October 1959 to September 1963 on the American Broadcasting Company television network.-Premise:...
: "I Wed Three Wives" (1960) ...as Henry Bunker - The Twilight ZoneThe Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)The Twilight Zone is an American anthology television series created by Rod Serling, which ran for five seasons on CBS from 1959 to 1964. The series consisted of unrelated episodes depicting paranormal, futuristic, dystopian, or simply disturbing events; each show typically featured a surprising...
: "The Purple TestamentThe Purple Testament"The Purple Testament" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone. It's "the story of a man who can forecast death."-Synopsis:...
" (1960) ...as Capt. E. L. Gunther - The Twilight ZoneThe Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)The Twilight Zone is an American anthology television series created by Rod Serling, which ran for five seasons on CBS from 1959 to 1964. The series consisted of unrelated episodes depicting paranormal, futuristic, dystopian, or simply disturbing events; each show typically featured a surprising...
: "A Thing about MachinesA Thing About Machines"A Thing About Machines" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone.-Synopsis:Bartlett Finchley is an ill-tempered gourmet magazine critic who reviles humanity, though he seems to be lonely at the same time. He's as inept with machines as he is with people...
" (1960) ...as TV Repairman - The Twilight ZoneThe Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)The Twilight Zone is an American anthology television series created by Rod Serling, which ran for five seasons on CBS from 1959 to 1964. The series consisted of unrelated episodes depicting paranormal, futuristic, dystopian, or simply disturbing events; each show typically featured a surprising...
: "Will the Real Martian Please Stand UpWill the Real Martian Please Stand Up"Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone.-Synopsis:During a snowstorm, two state troopers are investigating a crash after a woman telephoned them and are led to believe that it was a flying saucer...
?" (1961) ...as Haley the Bartender - "The Andy Griffith ShowThe Andy Griffith ShowThe Andy Griffith Show is an American sitcom first televised by CBS between October 3, 1960, and April 1, 1968. Andy Griffith portrays a widowed sheriff in the fictional small community of Mayberry, North Carolina...
": "Barney Gets His Man" (1961) ..as Eddie Brooke, escaped convict - "The Three Musketeers (cartoon)The Three Musketeers (cartoon)The Three Musketeers was an American Saturday morning cartoon produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions for NBC. It premiered on 1968 and ran for 18 episodes.This cartoon is based on famous novel The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.-Episodes:...
": voice of Porthos - The Twilight ZoneThe Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)The Twilight Zone is an American anthology television series created by Rod Serling, which ran for five seasons on CBS from 1959 to 1964. The series consisted of unrelated episodes depicting paranormal, futuristic, dystopian, or simply disturbing events; each show typically featured a surprising...
: "MiniatureMiniature (The Twilight Zone)"Miniature" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone.-Synopsis:Charley Parkes thinks he sees a figure in a museum dollhouse that comes alive.Charley returns to the museum numerous times and gazes into the dollhouse...
" (1963) ...as Diemel - Twelve O'Clock High (1964 - 1967 TV series)Twelve O'Clock High (TV series)Twelve O'Clock High or 12 O'Clock High is an American drama series set in World War II. This TV series originally broadcasted on ABC-TV for two-and-one-half TV seasons from September 18, 1964, through January 13, 1967; was based on the motion picture Twelve O'Clock High...
... Major "Doc" Kaiser - Shazzan!: "All Episodes (36)" ...voice of Shazzan
- Cannon (TV series)Cannon (TV series)Cannon is a CBS detective television series produced by Quinn Martin which aired from March 26, 1971 to March 3, 1976.The primary protagonist was the title character, Frank Cannon, played by William Conrad....
: (1971–1974) as Various - The Betty White ShowThe Betty White ShowThe Betty White Show is an American sitcom which aired on CBS from September 12, 1977, to January 2, 1978. Fourteen episodes were transmitted. The series was produced by MTM Enterprises.-Synopsis:...
(1977) ....actor playing Police Chief Fletcher Huff and his "twin" brother