About Bobby Burns
Lived 1878 – 1966 (aged 87). Bobby Burns was an American actor, film director and director.
Robert Paul Burns (September 1, 1878 – January 16, 1966) was an American film actor and director. He appeared in more than 200 films between 1908 and 1952 and also directed 13 films between 1915 and 1916.
Burns was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and died in Los Angeles, California.
Career
Burns played Pokes in the Pokes and Jabbs silent comedies of the mid 1910s, with Walter Stull as Jabbs and frequently featuring Babe (Oliver) Hardy. Later he supported Hardy in his partnership with Stan Laurel at the Hal Roach Studios in several of their early short comedies and feature films.
Selected filmography
Uncivil War Birds (1946) as Union Soldier (uncredited) Gents Without Cents (1944) Audience Member (uncredited) Air Raid Wardens (1943) as Townsman in Gymnasium (uncredited) Loco Boy Makes Good (1942) as Nightclub Patron (uncredited) I'll Never Heil Again (1941) as King's aide (uncredited) Healthy, Wealthy and Dumb (1938) as Room service waiter (uncredited) Dizzy Doctors (1937) as Man in the Wheelchair (uncredited) Jail Bait (1937) as Prison Warden (uncredited) A Pain in the Pullman (1936) as Man in Berth (uncredited) Dummy Ache (1936) as Gardner (uncredited) Ants in the Pantry (1936) as Guest with mouse down his back (uncredited) Pop Goes the Easel (1935) as Professor Fueller (uncredited) Restless Knights (1935) as Guard (uncredited) Them Thar Hills (1934) as Officer (uncredited) Three Little Pigskins (1934) as Man panhandled by Larry (uncredited) Babes In Toyland (1934) as Townsman (uncredited) Helpmates (1932) as Neighbor with hose (uncredited) The Chimp (1932) as Tenant (uncredited) Any Old Port! (1932) as Justice of peace (uncredited) Pardon Us (1931) as Prisoner with toothache (uncredited) The Laurel-Hardy Murder Case (1930) as Nervous Relative (uncredited) Below Zero (1930) as "Blind" Man/Deadbeat diner (uncredited) Another Fine Mess (1930) as Bicyclist (uncredited) The Try Out (1916) as Pokes Hired and Fired (1916) as Pokes Busted Hearts (1916) as Pokes Frenzied Finance (1916) as Pokes Chickens (1916) as Pokes This Way Out (1916) as Pokes Ups and Downs (1915) as Pokes Mixed and Fixed (1915) as Pokes Speed Kings (1915) as Pokes Strangled Harmony (1915) as Pokes Love, Pepper and Sweets (1915) as Pokes Pressing Business (1915) as Pokes The Midnight Prowlers (1915) as Pokes
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Important facts
People in Bobby Burns's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Bobby Burns's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Bobby Burns?
actor, film director (1878-1966)
When was Bobby Burns born?
Bobby Burns was born on 1 September 1878 in Philadelphia.
When did Bobby Burns die?
Bobby Burns died on 16 January 1966 in Los Angeles.
What was Bobby Burns's occupation?
Bobby Burns was an actor, film director and director.
What nationality was Bobby Burns?
Bobby Burns was American.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Bobby Burns (actor)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Bobby Burns. https://biography.guide/bobby-burns-actor/
MLA: "Bobby Burns." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/bobby-burns-actor/.
Chicago: "Bobby Burns." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/bobby-burns-actor/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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