
Walter Barnes
Known for Acting · 71 credits
- Born
- 1918-01-26
- Died
- 1998-01-06
- Place of birth
- Rennert, North Carolina, USA
Biography
Walter Lee Barnes was an American football guard and actor who played in National Football League (NFL) for four seasons. He played in the (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles and in college at Louisiana State University. Barnes was an actor in both American and European films. He appeared in several films with John Wayne, Lex Barker, and Clint Eastwood.
Barnes entered acting after appearing several times on The Eagles Nest, a local Philadelphia television show. WCAU television placed him on several local shows. His contacts with Walt Silver, a producer for Warner Bros. Television, led him into several appearances on television and films. Some of his more notable appearances included Bronco, Gunsmoke, Cheyenne, Bonanza, Have Gun – Will Travel and Death Valley Days. John Wayne got him a small role as Charlie the Bartender in Rio Bravo.
Tiring of small roles and seeing opportunities overseas, Barnes was one of the many American actors who moved to Italy in the early 1960s. Kirk Douglas recommended him for a role in his The Vikings television spinoff Tales of the Vikings that was filmed for Douglas's production company in Germany. From 1960 to 1969, he was first active in pirate movies, then Karl May film adaptations and Spaghetti Westerns.
Barnes returned to the United States in 1969 and appeared in more films and television series, which included The High Chaparral. His friendship with Clint Eastwood on Rawhide later led him to several roles in Eastwood's films. He retired from acting in 1987 and became increasingly ill due to his diabetes. He was the father of German former actress Lara Wendel, who was born Daniela Barnes.
Known For
TV Shows (21)

Bonanza
1959
as Will Griner

Have Gun, Will Travel
1957

Maverick
1957
as First Outlaw

Mission: Impossible
1966

Cheyenne
1955

Richard Diamond, Private Detective
1957
as Herbie Sanford

Gunsmoke
1955
as O' Dell / Haney / Burke

Bat Masterson
1958
as Paulson

The High Chaparral
1967
as Bartender

North and South
1985
as Benny Haven

Sugarfoot
1957
as Hefferman

Alias Smith and Jones
1971

Bronco
1958

The Wonderful World of Disney
1954
as Sheriff Purdy

Stingray
1985

Letter to Loretta
1953
as Casey

Kodiak
1974
as Jack Capp
Action in the Afternoon
1953
Tales of the Vikings
1959

Walking Tall
1981

Kung Fu
1972
as Sheriff
Movies (50)

Rio Bravo
1959
as Charlie (uncredited)

High Plains Drifter
1973
as Sheriff Sam Shaw

Apache Gold
1963
as Bill Jones

Every Which Way but Loose
1978
as Tank Murdock

The Blue Knight
1975
as Personnel Officer

Pete's Dragon
1977
as Captain

Escape to Witch Mountain
1975
as Sheriff Purdy

Hog Wild
1974
as Tobias

Bronco Billy
1980
as Sheriff Dix

Romulus and the Sabines
1961
as Stilicone

Cahill: United States Marshal
1973
as Sheriff Grady

Under Ten Flags
1960

Rampage at Apache Wells
1965
as Bill Campbell

Smokey Bites the Dust
1981
as Sheriff Turner

The Big Gundown
1967
as Brokston

The Traveling Executioner
1970
as Sheriff

Winnetou and the Crossbreed
1966
as Mac Haller

Avenger of the Seven Seas
1962
as Van Artz

The Young Runaways
1978
as Sgt. Abel

Daddy's Deadly Darling
1973
as Doctor

Another Man, Another Chance
1977
as Foster

Halleluja for Django
1967
as Key Jarrett / Clay Thomas

Frontier Hellcat
1964
as Martin Baumann Sr.

Slave Girls of Sheba
1963
as Friar Metachini

Captain Sindbad
1963
as Rolf

Revolt in the Big House
1958
as Guard Capt. Starkey

Day of the Animals
1977
as Ranger Tucker

Sign of Zorro
1963
as Mario

The Moment to Kill
1968
as Bull

Mackintosh and T.J.
1975
as Jim Webster

Coup D'Etat
1969
as (uncredited)

The Adventures of Mary Read
1961
as Captain Poof

Target Frankie
1967
as Col. O’Connor

Robin Hood and the Pirates
1960
as Guercio / Orbo

The Christian Licorice Store
1971
as P.C. Stayne

Westbound
1959
as Willis - Stage Depot Cook

Clint the Stranger
1967
as Walter Shannon

The Magnificent Tony Carrera
1969
as Barnes

Drakut the Avenger
1961
as Nicolas

Liebesnächte in der Taiga
1967
as Jurij

The Long Day of Inspector Blomfield
1968
as Fred Lancaster

Movin' On
1972
as Mr. Daniels

The Sky Trap
1979
as Harry Shaughnessy

The Secret of the Black Falcon
1961
as Calico Jack

Oregon Passage
1957
as Sgt. Jed Erschick

The Secret of the Blue Men
1961
as Matthias

Duel at Sundown
1965
as Old McGow

Challenge of the Gladiator
1965
as Nero
Revenge of the Musketeers
1963
as Porthos

Garter Colt
1968
as General Droga
About Walter Barnes
Walter Lee Barnes was an American football guard and actor who played in National Football League (NFL) for four seasons. He played in the (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles and in college at Louisiana State University. Barnes was an actor in both American and European films. He appeared in several films with John Wayne, Lex Barker, and Clint Eastwood. Barnes entered acting after appearing several times on The Eagles Nest, a local Philadelphia television show. WCAU television placed him on several local shows. His contacts with Walt Silver, a p… With 71 credits spanning from 1953 to 1985, Walter Barnes has appeared in 50 films and 21 TV shows.
Fans searching for Walter Barnes movies, Walter Barnes filmography, or the latest projects starring Walter Barnes can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Walter Barnes Movies
- Rio Bravo (1959) — as Charlie (uncredited)
- High Plains Drifter (1973) — as Sheriff Sam Shaw
- Apache Gold (1963) — as Bill Jones
- Every Which Way but Loose (1978) — as Tank Murdock
- The Blue Knight (1975) — as Personnel Officer
Where to Watch Walter Barnes Films
Most Walter Barnes movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Walter Barnes, check our movies catalogue and browse page.