Barnes, Walter


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Barnes, Walter

Post by Emiliano » 21/04/2022, 14:06

Walter Barnes 1968.jpg
Walter Barnes in Cineguida 1968-69
Walter Barnes was an American sporting hero and actor, active in American films and television in the late 1950's and from 1969-86, and in Italian and European films throughout the 1960's.

He was born Walter "Walt" Lee Barnes on January 26th 1918, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, USA, to parents Scott and Maude Estella Barnes. He had an older brother named George. He was 1.85 m (6' 1") tall and, at some point, weighed 108 kg (238 lb).

Walter earned the nickname "Piggy" while at school, where he began playing football. Following military service as a Sergeant in World War II, he enrolled at Louisiana State University, where he became both a football player and weightlifting champion. After graduating he became a guard for the Philadelphia Eagles football team, becoming a household name, before retiring and becoming a football coach.

He began acting in the mid-1950's, appearing in small roles in television and films, mostly in westerns. In 1959 he got an offer to come to Europe to play a recurring role in the TV series Tales of the Vikings, a spin-off from hit movie The Vikings, which appears to have been shot in Britain and Germany. In 1960 it looks like he made the decision to base himself in Italy, where he immediately began playing more substantial roles than those he had been offered in the US. He would remain in Europe throughout the 1960's, becoming a familiar face in Italian and German peplum and western productions.

In 1961 he married German actress Britta Wendel (Fellini's Roma), who had appeared with him in Tales of the Vikings, with whom he had 2 children, the actors Michael Barnes and Lara Wendel (born Daniela Barnes). They would divorce in 1968.

Walter returned to the US in 1969, where he more or less picked up his career where he had left it, back to playing small parts in TV series and films, more often than not cast as small-town sheriffs. His last known acting appearance dates from 1986. Following retirement he would make occasional appearances at football and western film conventions. He spent the final years of his life in the Motion Picture and Television Retirement Home in Woodland Hills, California.

Walter died in Los Angeles on January 6th 1998, aged 79. He is buried in Los Angeles National Cemetery.

Walter's life is well-documented and his biographical details are gathered from, and confirmed by, multiple sources.

Filmography

1956
  1. Cheyenne (TV series) S. 2, ep. 8: "The Trap" .... Willie (credited)

    1957
  2. Cheyenne (TV series) S. 2, ep. 12: "War Party" .... Ed Grimes (credit unknown)
  3. Cheyenne (TV series) S. 3, ep. 7: "Hired Gun" .... Crane (credited)
  4. Colt .45 (TV series) S. 1, ep. 6: "Final Payment" .... Mace Bluestone (credited)
  5. Gunsmoke (TV series) S. 2, ep. 37: "The Man Who Would Be Marshal" .... O'Dell (credit unknown - role unconfirmed)
  6. Oregon Passage .... Sergeant Jed Erschick (credited)
  7. Zane Grey Theatre (TV series) S. 1, ep. 25: "A Time to Live" .... Gus (credited)

    1958
  8. Alcoa Theatre (TV series) S. 1, ep. 23: "Most Likely to Succeed" .... Don Gleason (credited)
  9. Cheyenne (TV series) S. 3, ep. 8: "Top Hand" .... Chris Barlow (credited)
  10. Cheyenne (TV series) S. 3, ep. 19: "Noose at Noon" .... Burt Flowers (credited)
  11. Death Valley Days (TV series) S. 7, ep. 7: "Thorn of the Rose" .... Gil Calvin (credited)
  12. Gunsmoke (TV series) S. 4, ep. 6: "Thoroughbreds" .... Burke (credit unknown - role unconfirmed)
  13. Have Gun - Will Travel (TV series) S. 1, ep. 32: "The Five Books of Owen Deaver" .... Mason Enfield (credited)
  14. Man with a Camera (TV series) S. 1, ep. 1: "Second Avenue Assassin" .... Cyril (credited)
  15. Maverick (TV series) S. 2, ep. 4: "The Belcastle Brand" .... First Outlaw (credited)
  16. Revolt in the Big House .... Guard Captain Sharkey (credited)
  17. Richard Diamond, Private Detective (TV series) S. 2, ep. 16: "Lost Testament" .... Herbie Sanford (credited)
  18. The Court of Last Resort (TV series) S. 1, ep. 23: "The Mary Morales Case" .... Fred (credited)
  19. The Loretta Young Show (TV series) S. 6, ep. 6: "The 20-Cent Tip" .... Casey (credited)
  20. The Restless Gun (TV series) S. 1, ep. 29: "The Crisis at Easter Creek" .... Wisconsin Billy (credited)
  21. Westbound .... Willis (credited)
  22. Zane Grey Theatre (TV series) S. 2, ep. 20: "The Stranger" .... Frank (credited)

    1959
  23. Bat Masterson (TV series) S. 1, ep. 19: "River Boat" .... Paulson (credited)
  24. Frontier Doctor (TV series) S. 1, ep. 20: "Broken Barrier" .... Mike Shea (credited)
  25. Rio Bravo .... Charlie (uncredited)
  26. Tales of the Vikings (TV series) 4 episodes confirmed .... Finn (credited in 3 of 4 episodes found)

    1960
  27. Il carro armato dell'8 settembre .... role unknown (poster credit)
  28. Robin Hood e i pirati .... Guercio (credited as "Walter Lee Barnes")
  29. Sotto dieci bandiere .... City of Liverpool first officer (credited)

    1961
  30. Drakut il vendicatore .... Nicolas (credited)
  31. Il ratto delle sabine .... Stilicone (credited)
  32. Il segreto dello sparviero nero .... Calico Jack (credited)
  33. Le avventure di Mary Read .... Captain Poof (credited)
  34. El secreto de los hombres azules .... Mattias (credit unknown)

    1962
  35. Il giustiziere dei mari .... Bernard Van Artz (credited)

    1963
  36. Captain Sindbad .... Rolf (credited)
  37. D'Artagnan contro i 3 moschettieri .... Porthos (credited)
  38. Il segno di Zorro .... Mario (credited)
  39. Le verdi bandiere di Allah .... Friar (credited)
  40. Winnetou - 1. Teil .... Bill Jones (credited)

    1964
  41. La vendetta dei gladiatori .... Gladiator (uncredited - pre-used footage)
  42. Unter Geiern .... Martin Bauman Sr. (credited)

    1965
  43. Der Ölprinz .... Bill Campbell (credited)
  44. Duell vor Sonnenuntergang .... Old McGraw (credited)
  45. Il gladiatore che sfidò l'impero .... Terenzo (credited)
  46. Up from the Beach .... (credited, but not found)

    1966
  47. Winnetou und das Halbblut Apanatschi .... Mac Haller (credited)

    1967
  48. Clint el solitario .... Walter Shannon (credited)
  49. La più grande rapina del west .... Jarrett, aka Clay Thomas (credited)
  50. La resa dei conti (1967) .... Brockston (credited)
  51. Liebesnächte in der Taiga .... Jurij (credited)
  52. Misión en Ginebra .... Colonel O'Connor (credited)

    1968
  53. El magnífico Tony Carrera .... Senator Barnes (credited)
  54. Giarrettiera Colt .... General (credited)
  55. Il momento di uccidere .... Bull (credited)
  56. Inspektor Blomfields Fall Nr.1 - Ich spreng euch alle in die Luft .... Inspector James Lancaster (credited)

    1969
  57. Bonanza (TV series) S. 11, ep. 5: "Anatomy of a Lynching" .... Will Griner (credited)
  58. The Bold Ones (TV series) S. 1, ep. 2: "What's the Price of a Pair of Eyes" .... Zach Garvin (credited)

    1970
  59. Bonanza (TV series) S. 11, ep. 21: "Anatomy of a Lynching" .... Emmett J. Whitney (credited)
  60. The High Chaparral (TV series) S. 4, ep. 2: "Spokes" .... Bartender (credited)
  61. The Traveling Executioner .... Sheriff (credited)

    1971
  62. Alias Smith and Jones (TV series) S. 1, ep. 10: "The Man Who Murdered Himself" .... Deputy (credited)
  63. Bonanza (TV series) S. 12, ep. 17: "Top Hand" .... Weatherby (credited)
  64. Bonanza (TV series) S. 13, ep. 3: "Bushwhacked" .... Sheriff Truslow (credited)
  65. The Christian Licorice Store .... (credited as "P.C. Stayne", but not found)

    1972
  66. Mission: Impossible (TV series) S. 6, ep. 22: "Trapped" .... Al (credited)
  67. Movin' On (TV movie) .... Ned Daniels (credited)

    1973
  68. Cahill U.S. Marshal .... Sheriff Grady (credited)
  69. High Plains Drifter .... Sheriff Sam Shaw (credited)
  70. Kung Fu (TV series) S. 2, ep. 11: "The Elixir" .... Sheriff (credited)
  71. Mission: Impossible (TV series) S. 7, ep. 15: "Boomerang" .... Homer Chill (credited)
  72. Pigs .... Doctor (credited)

    1974
  73. Hog Wild (TV movie) .... Tobias (credited)

    1975
  74. Escape to Witch Mountain .... Sheriff Purdy (credited)
  75. Mackintosh and T.J. .... Jim Webster (credited)
  76. The Blue Knight (TV series) Pilot episode .... Personnel Officer (credited)

    1977
  77. Emergency (TV series) S. 6, ep. 21: "Limelight" .... Mike Gold (credited)
  78. Pete's Dragon .... (credited as "Captain", but not found)
  79. Day of the Animals .... Ranger Tucker (credited)
  80. Un autre homme, une autre chance .... Foster (credit unknown)

    1978
  81. David Cassidy - Man Undercover (TV series) S. 1, ep. 3: "Cage of Steel" .... Wiley (credited)
  82. Every Which Way but Loose .... Tank Murdock (credited)
  83. Police Story (TV series) S. 5, ep. 5: "The Broken Badge" .... (credited as "Officer Aaronson", but not found)
  84. The Young Runaways (TV movie) .... Sergeant Abel (credited)

    1979
  85. The Sky Trap (TV movie) .... Harry Shaughnessy (credited)

    1980
  86. Bronco Billy .... Sheriff Dix (credited)
  87. The Dukes of Hazzard (TV series) S. 2, ep. 16: "Treasure of Hazzard" .... Jeb McCobb (credited)

    1981
  88. Smokey Bites the Dust .... Sheriff Turner (credited)
  89. Walking Tall (TV series) Eps. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 .... Carl Pusser (credited)

    1985
  90. North and South (TV mini-series) Eps. 1, 4 .... Benny Haven (credited)

    1986
  91. Stingray (TV series) S. 1, ep. 2: "Ether" .... Daniel Coleman (credited)

Titles to check
  • Action in the Afternoon (mid-1950's TV series) Unknown episodes. Lex Barker.com in a recurring role.
  • The Adventurer (1954/5 TV series) Unknown episodes. Lex Barker.com as Captain Nemo.
  • Crusader (1956 TV series) S.2, ep.10: "Key Witness". IMDb
  • Tenderfoot (1957 TV series) S.1, ep.3: "The Strange Land". IMDb as Hefferman
  • Bronco (1958 TV series) S.1, ep.4: "Four Guns and a Prayer". IMDb as Dan Banner
  • Gunsmoke (1958 TV series) S.3, ep.36: "Chester's Hanging". IMDb as Haney
  • Judgment at Nuremberg (1958 TV series) Episode unknown. This was previously on IMDb, but now seems to have disappeared from his filmography.
  • Little Women (1958 TV series) S.10, ep.35: "The Strong Man". IMDb
  • Tenderfoot (1958 TV series) S.2, ep.2: "Brink of Fear". IMDb as Monk Davis
  • Union Pacific (1958 TV series) S.1, ep.13: "The Challenger". IMDb as Rooker
  • State Trooper (1959 TV series) Ep: "Another Chance". IMDb as Grindell
  • Tales of the Vikings (1959 TV series) 32 episodes to be checked. IMDb as Finn
  • The Rough Riders (1959 TV series) S.1, Ep.16: "Double Cross". IMDb as Marshal Kenyon
  • Nancy (1970 TV series) S.1, Ep.15: "Never Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth". IMDb as Hardeman
  • The Jimmy Stewart Show (1972 TV series) S.1, ep.24: "A Bone of Much Contention". IMDb as Ernest Digby
  • The Gun and the Pulpit (1974 TV movie) IMDb as Oaf
  • Power (1980 TV movie) IMDb as Al Grove
  • Father Murphy (1982 TV series) S.2, Ep.4: "Outrageous Fortune". IMDb
  • Kojak (TV series) Unknown episodes. Lex Barker.com

No Walter!
Titles where Walter is listed as appearing somewhere online, but cannot be found. There always has to be one!
  • The Texan (1958 TV series) S.1, ep.4: "The First Notch". IMDb as Jackel. I did not find him in this episode.
  • Colpo di stato (1969) IMDb with no role. Not found after multiple searches.
  • Boon (1987 TV series) S.2, ep.3: "Day of the Yokel". IMDb as "JCB driver". The chances of Walter appearing in a bit part in this British series seemed unlikely, and, while the role and credit are there, it is not our Walter who appears, so presumably another actor of the same name.
Last edited by PeplumParadise on 26/12/2023, 1:53, edited 27 times in total.

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Barnes, Walter

Post by PeplumParadise » 11/03/2023, 18:58

Cheyenne (1956 TV series) Season 2, episode 8: "The Trap", credited, as Willie
Cheyenne S2E8 The Trap.jpg
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Post by PeplumParadise » 11/03/2023, 19:01

Cheyenne (1957 TV series) Season 2, episode 12: "War Party", as Ed Grimes.

I believe he should be credited, but the credits were cut from the copy I found
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Post by PeplumParadise » 11/03/2023, 19:10

Colt .45 (1957 TV series) Season 1, episode 6: "Final Payment", credited, as Mace Bluestone
Colt .45 ( 1x06 ) - Serie de TV ( D.Latino ).jpg
Colt .45 ( 1x06 ) - Serie de TV ( D.Latino )3.jpg
Colt .45 ( 1x06 ) - Serie de TV ( D.Latino )4.jpg

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Post by PeplumParadise » 11/03/2023, 19:12

Oregon Passage (1957) credited, as Sergeant Jed Erschick
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Post by PeplumParadise » 11/03/2023, 19:17

Zane Grey Theatre (1957 TV series) Season 1, episode 25: "A Time to Live", credited, as Gus
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Post by PeplumParadise » 11/03/2023, 19:20

Alcoa Theatre (1958 TV series) Season 1, episode 23: "Most Likely to Succeed", credited, as Don Gleason
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Post by PeplumParadise » 11/03/2023, 19:22

Have Gun - Will Travel (1958 TV series) Season 1, episode 32: "The Five Books of Owen Deaver", credited, as Mason Enfield
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Post by PeplumParadise » 11/03/2023, 19:38

Man with a Camera (1958 TV series) Season 1, episode 1: "Second Avenue Assassin", credited, as Cyril
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Post by PeplumParadise » 11/03/2023, 19:40

Maverick (1958 TV series) Season 2, episode 4: "The Belcastle Brand", credited, as First outlaw
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