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Barry Norton

Known For
Acting

Known Credits
111

Gender
Male

Birthday
June 16, 1905 (121 years old)

Place of Birth
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Barry Norton

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Barry Norton (born Alfredo Carlos Birabén; June 16, 1905 – August 24, 1956) was an Argentinian-American actor. He appeared in over 90 films, starting in silent films from 1925 until his death in 1956. He is perhaps best known for his role as Juan Harker in Universal Pictures' Spanish-language version of Drácula in 1931, the English language role of Jonathan Harker originated by David Manners. Arriving in Hollywood in the 1920s, Norton first appeared as an extra in The Black Pirate (1926) but was soon cast in Fox Films' The Lily that same year. His big break came when he was given the role of Pvt. "Mother's Boy" Lewisohn in What Price Glory?, which turned out to be a huge commercial success. He landed substantial roles in Legion of the Condemned and 4 Devils (both 1928), which were also very successful. His acting was well received by audiences and critics at the time, and during the silent era he avoided being typecast as a Latin lover. One theater owner in Golden City, Montana said, "[Norton] has as yet to show me a bad performance. There's a boy that is a 'natural'."

In the early 1930s, Norton could still get leading roles in major films. Major Hollywood studios started producing alternate-language versions of their prestige productions, and he became one of dozens of Latino actors needed. Drácula was one of these films, but Norton also appeared in Spanish-language versions of Paramount on Parade (1930), The Benson Murder Case (1930), and The Criminal Code (1931). In a few cases, he appeared in both versions of a film. Examples include Storm Over the Andes (Spanish version: Alas sobre El Chaco), The Sea Fiend (El diablo del Mar), and Captain Calamity (El capitan Tormenta), the latter film reuniting him with Lupita Tovar, his romantic interest from Dracula.

In addition to roles in Spanish-territory films, he had roles in numerous major films, usually playing sophisticated Europeans. With the decline in Spanish-language film production in Los Angeles, Norton's opportunities for leading roles became less and less frequent. Though he had a pleasing voice, his Argentine accent seemed incongruous with his appearance. According to some sources, he never mastered English very well. In 1933, he secured what would be his last important role, playing Jean Parker's Spanish fiancé in Frank Capra's Lady for a Day (1933). Although he would continue to work for another 15 years, Norton's last credited screen role would be Should Husbands Work? (1939). For the rest of his career, Norton continued to reside in Los Angeles and obtain small roles in films. Many films he appeared in are now considered to be classics.

Known For

Acting

2002The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinemaas
1956Around the World in 80 Daysas Extra (uncredited)
1956Written on the Windas Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
1956Serenadeas Party Guest (uncredited)
1956Slightly Scarletas
1955The Square Jungleas Boxing Match Spectator (uncredited)
1955It's Always Fair Weatheras Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1955To Catch a Thiefas Frenchman (uncredited)
1954White Christmasas Carousel Club Diner (uncredited)
1954A Star Is Bornas Benefit Attendee (uncredited)
1954The Caine Mutinyas Ship's Officer (uncredited)
1954Lucky Meas Diner / Party Guest (uncredited)
1953How to Marry a Millionaireas Plane Passenger (uncredited)
1953Small Town Girlas Party Guest
1953Trouble Along the Wayas Party Guest
1953The Jazz Singeras Nightclub Patron
1952Four Star Playhouseas Man in Audience / Backstage Guest (uncredited)
1952The Merry Widowas Club Patron (uncredited)
1952Pat and Mikeas Golf Spectator (uncredited)
1952Young Man with Ideasas Lawyer at Seminar (uncredited)
1952Something to Live Foras Man in Tweeds (uncredited)
1952Room for One Moreas Boy Scout Ceremony Attendee (uncredited)
1951The Strange Dooras
1951Strangers on a Trainas Tennis Match Spectator (uncredited)
1951Hollywood Storyas Christmas Parade Spectator (uncredited)
1951Pier 23as Waiter (uncredited)
1951On the Rivieraas Party Guest (uncredited)
1950Mister 880as Restaurant Diner (uncredited)
1950Born to Be Badas Charity Ball Guest (uncredited)
1950The Toast of New Orleansas Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
1950Rocketship X-Mas Reporter (uncredited)
1950Young Man with a Hornas Man at Train Station / Café Guest (uncredited)
1950No Man of Her Ownas Country Club Patron (uncredited)
1949East Side, West Sideas Del Rio Club Patron (uncredited)
1949Johnny Allegroas
1948An Innocent Affairas Rocket Roof Patron (uncredited)
1948Easter Paradeas Diner (uncredited)
1948The Big Clockas Man at Van Barth's (uncredited)
1947The Gangsteras Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1947Variety Girlas Plane Passenger (uncredited)
1947Monsieur Verdouxas Garden Party Guest (uncredited)
1947Twilight on the Rio Grandeas Rurale
1946Devil Monsteras Robert Jackson
1946Without Reservationsas Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1945Christmas in Connecticutas Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
1944Maisie Goes to Renoas Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
1943Above Suspicionas German Cafe Patron (Uncredited)
1943Mission to Moscowas Ball Guest (uncredited)
1943Keeper of the Flameas
1943Casablancaas Gambler at Rick's (uncredited)
1942You Were Never Lovelieras One of Maria's Suitors (uncredited)
1942The Big Streetas Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1942The Falcon Takes Overas Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
1942Blue, White and Perfectas Man at Ship Dock (uncredited)
1941Hellzapoppin'as Party Guest (uncredited)
1941The Mexican Spitfire's Babyas Nightclub Patron
1941Niagara Fallsas Hotel Guest (uncredited)
1941Hold That Ghostas Club Patron (uncredited)
1941Tom, Dick and Harryas Bowler (uncredited)
1941Ziegfeld Girlas Palm Beach Casino Patron (uncredited)
1941The Lady Eveas Passenger on Ship (uncredited)
1940Mexican Spitfire Out Westas Hotel Guest
1940Christmas in Julyas Co-Worker in Office (uncredited)
1940Down Argentine Wayas Racetrack Spectator (uncredited)
1940Dance, Girl, Danceas Dissaproving Theatre Patron (uncredited)
1939Should Husbands Work?as Ronald McDonald
1939Second Fiddleas Nightclub Patron
1939Angel of Mercyas President Garfield's Secretary (uncredited)
1938The Buccaneeras Villere
1937I'll Take Romanceas Juan
1937Rich Relationsas Don Blair
1936Camilleas Emile (uncredited)
1936Captain Calamityas Carr
1936Marihuana (El monstruo verde)as Carlos
1936The Sea Fiendas Robert Jackson
1936The Great Ziegfeldas Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1936Murder at Glen Atholas Tom Randel
1935The Devil of the Seaas Roberto
1935Woman Wantedas Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1935Storm Over the Andesas Diaz
1934Caravanas Young Officer at Beer Garden (Uncredited)
1934Imitation of Lifeas Young Man Proposing Toast (uncredited)
1934Grand Canaryas Robert Tranter
1934The World Moves Onas Jacques Girard (1924)
1934Let’s Be Ritzyas Rogers
1934Unknown Blondeas Bob Parker
1933Only Yesterdayas Jerry (Uncredited)
1933Lady for a Dayas Carlos
1933Cocktail Houras Philippe
1933Luxury Lineras Prince Vladimir Gleboff
1931Dishonoredas Young Lieutenant - Firing Squad
1931Dráculaas Juan Harker
1930East is Westas Billy Benson
1930Curmudgeonas
1930Bold Loveas
1929The Exalted Flapperas Prince Boris of Dacia
1928Sins of the Fathersas Tom Spengler
1928The Red Danceas Rasputin's Assassin (uncredited)
1928Mother Knows Bestas Boy
19284 Devilsas Adolf
1928Fleetwingas Jaafor
1928The Legion of the Condemnedas Byron Dashwood
1927The Wizardas Reginald Van Lear
1927Sunrise: A Song of Two Humansas Ballroom Dancer / Kissing Couple (uncredited)
1927A Man About Townas Amos, a Centerville Clerk
1927The Heart of Salomeas Henri Bezanne
1927Ankles Preferredas Jimmy
1926The Canyon of Lightas Ricardo Deane
1926What Price Gloryas Pvt. Kenneth 'Mother's Boy' Lewisohn
1926The Lilyas Max de Maigny
1926The Black Pirateas Youth (uncredited)

Production