Joe Brooks(1923-2007)
- Actor
- Stunts
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.
