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Justus D. Barnes

Known For
Acting

Known Credits
34

Gender
Male

Birthday
October 2, 1862 (163 years old)

Place of Birth
Little Falls, New York, USA

Justus D. Barnes

Biography

Justus D. Barnes (October 2, 1862 – February 6, 1946), named George Barnes in some sources, was an American stage and film actor. He is best known for his role in the 1903 silent short The Great Train Robbery, which the American Film Institute and many film historians and critics recognize as the production that first established the Western genre, setting a new "narrative standard" in the motion picture industry.

Barnes was born in Little Falls, New York. He was a veteran stage actor before he made his screen debut in 1903 in The Great Train Robbery. In that film's memorable ending, Barnes points his pistol at the camera and slowly fires all six shots at the viewer. The Great Train Robbery became one of the most successful and best known commercial films of the early silent era.

In July 1908, Barnes was hired as an actor in the stock company of the Edison Manufacturing Company, the film production company owned by Thomas Edison. In 1910, he signed on with the Thanhouser Company in New Rochelle, New York. Between 1910 and 1917, Justus appeared in more than seventy films for the Thanhouser, usually in the role of a villain. He played Ham Peggotty in David Copperfield, the earliest known film adaption of the 1850 novel by Charles Dickens. He also played supporting roles in Nicholas Nickleby (1912), Aurora Floyd (1912), and A Dog of Flanders (1914).

In 1917, he was released from the Thanhouser Company due to the company's financial issues. Barnes made his final onscreen appearance for the Edison Studio in Cy Whittaker's Ward, in 1917. After retiring from acting, Barnes moved to Weedsport, New York, where he worked as a milkman. He later owned a cigar store. Barnes died on February 6, 1946, in Weedsport at the age of 83. He is buried in Weedsport Rural Cemetery, in Weedsport, New York.

Known For

Acting

1917Cy Whittaker's Wardas Simmons
1917It Happened to Adeleas Vincent's Uncle
1917The Candy Girlas Officer Quinn
1917Her Life and Hisas Political Boss
1915Mr. Meeson's Willas Mr. Meeson
1915Weary Walker's Woesas Lawyer
1915From the River's Depthsas William Hewins - Dorothy's Father
1915The Marvelous Marathoneras Ewing Webster
1915His Two Patientsas The Blacksmith
1915Old Jane of the Gaietyas
1915The Country Girlas The Squire, her Guardian
1915God's Witnessas Judge
1915The Heart of the Princess Marsarias Paul's Wealthy Uncle
1915Love and Moneyas American Suitor's Father
1914A Dog of Flandersas The Rich Miller
1914A Debut in the Secret Serviceas Abdul
1914Their Best Friendas Jack's Father
1914The Danceras N.Z. Wood
1914Joseph in the Land of Egyptas
1913Peggy's Invitationas
1913Uncle's Namesakesas
1913The Farmer's Daughtersas Father
1913When the Studio Burnedas Director
1913The Dove in the Eagle's Nestas
1912Star of Bethlehemas Mage Gaspar
1912The Voice of Conscienceas Doctor
1912When a Count Countedas W.T. Wilson, Attorney at Law
1912Cousinsas Father on Farm
1912The Portrait of Lady Anneas Lady Anne's Father in 1770
1912Nicholas Nicklebyas Uncle Ralph
1911David Copperfieldas Ham Peggotty (in part one)
1911A Circus Stowawayas Ringmaster
1910Young Lord Stanleyas the girl's father
1903The Great Train Robberyas Bandit Who Fires at Camera (uncredited)

Production