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Walter Barnes

Walter Barnes

Actor · Died January 6, 1998, aged 79 · Rennert, North Carolina, USA

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.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 26, 1918
Died
January 6, 1998 (aged 79)
From
Rennert, North Carolina, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
35 on MovieCove · 71 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 8% in 30 days

What are Walter Barnes' films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 48th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Adventure5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 40th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 18th percentile
: browse their Horror movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
36%
Bonds
21%
Power
15%
Survival
10%
Self
8%
Ideas
5%
Society
5%
Justice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeGreed3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 17 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 9 · Serious 6 · Dark 2

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 5 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 5

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 8 · Intense 6

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 7 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 2

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 10 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 10 · Relentless 2

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 12 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 17 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 3 of 6 analyzed roles.

Shadow
3 of 6
Ally
2 of 6
Threshold guardian
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Thrilling
10
Tense
8
Warm
6
Joyful
3
Melancholic
3
Other
14

How their films linger

Feel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy11
  • Bittersweet3
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous1
  • Other1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Walter Barnes' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 21 of their 35 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Walter Barnes' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

71 credits, 35 with a MovieCove page.

  • North & South: Book 1, North & South(1985)

    Show 2 episodes · as Benny Haven

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Stingray(1986)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Smokey Bites the Dust(1981)

    as Sheriff Turner

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Walking Tall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 7 episodes · Actor

  • Bronco Billy(1980)

    as Sheriff Dix

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Sky Trap (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Harry Shaughnessy

  • Every Which Way But Loose(1978)

    as Tank Murdock

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • The Young Runaways (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Sgt. Abel

  • Pete's Dragon(1977)

    as Captain

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Another Man, Another Chance(1977)

    as Foster

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Day of the Animals(1977)

    as Ranger Tucker

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Mackintosh and T.J.(1975)

    as Jim Webster

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Blue Knight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Personnel Officer

  • Escape to Witch Mountain(1975)

    as Sheriff Purdy

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Kodiak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Capp

  • Hog Wild (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Tobias

  • Cahill U.S. Marshal(1973)

    as Sheriff Grady

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Daddy's Deadly Darling(1973)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • High Plains Drifter(1973)

    as Sheriff Sam Shaw

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Kung Fu(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Sheriff

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Movin' On (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Mr. Daniels

  • The Christian Licorice Store(1971)

    as P.C. Stayne

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Alias Smith and Jones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Traveling Executioner(1970)

    as Sheriff

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Coup D'Etat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as (uncredited)

  • The Magnificent Tony Carrera (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Barnes

  • The Moment to Kill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Bull

  • Garter Colt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as General Droga

  • The Long Day of Inspector Blomfield (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Fred Lancaster

  • Halleluja for Django(1967)

    as Key Jarrett / Clay Thomas

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Liebesnächte in der Taiga (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Jurij

  • The High Chaparral (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Bartender

  • Target Frankie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Col. O’Connor

  • Clint the Stranger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Walter Shannon

  • The Big Gundown(1967)

    as Brokston

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Mission: Impossible(1966)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Winnetou and the Crossbreed(1966)

    as Mac Haller

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Duel at Sundown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Old McGow

  • The Oil Prince(1965)

    as Bill Campbell

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Challenge of the Gladiator (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Nero

  • Amongst Vultures(1964)

    as Martin Baumann Sr.

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Apache Gold(1963)

    as Bill Jones

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Revenge of the Musketeers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Porthos

  • Slave Girls of Sheba (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Friar Metachini

  • Captain Sindbad(1963)

    as Rolf

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Sign of Zorro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Mario

  • Avenger of the Seven Seas(1962)

    as Van Artz

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Adventures of Mary Read (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Captain Poof

  • Romulus and the Sabines(1961)

    as Stilicone

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Drakut the Avenger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Nicolas

  • The Secret of the Black Falcon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Calico Jack

  • The Secret of the Blue Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Matthias

  • Robin Hood and the Pirates (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Guercio / Orbo

  • Under Ten Flags(1960)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Bonanza(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Will Griner

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Tales of the Vikings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 39 episodes · Actor

  • Westbound(1958)

    as Willis - Stage Depot Cook

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Rio Bravo(1959)

    as Charlie (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Revolt in the Big House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Guard Capt. Starkey

  • Bat Masterson(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Paulson

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Bronco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Oregon Passage(1957)

    as Sgt. Jed Erschick

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Maverick(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as First Outlaw

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Sugarfoot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Hefferman

  • Have Gun, Will Travel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Richard Diamond, Private Detective (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Herbie Sanford

  • Cheyenne(1955)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Gunsmoke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Burke · as Haney · as O' Dell

  • The Wonderful World of Disney (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as Sheriff Purdy

  • The Loretta Young Show(1953)

    Show 1 episode · as Casey

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Action in the Afternoon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 76 episodes · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 71 titles from 1953 to 1985; peak year 1963.

Biggest box office

Every Which Way But Loose (1978)

$85M worldwide

Highest rated

The Big Gundown (1967)

Midcredits 92nd

Most popular right now

Every Which Way But Loose (1978)

Film career

19531985

Peak 1963 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1959Screen debut· Rio Bravo
  • 1967Career best· The Big Gundown

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting71 of 71: 71 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score56th

By decade

1950s17 · acting1960s30 · acting1970s19 · acting1980s5 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 16 roles
5969

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Walter Barnes' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 49th percentile, the median of all 26; across their 18 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 50th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Approval · how many liked their films

24thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Reach · how many have seen their films

60thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Midcredits score across 35 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up9
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th5

Shape of the crowd

17 of their 35 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Crowd Pleaser17
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed8

Most divisive · actor

Smokey Bites the Dust (1981)

76th percentile spread · 69% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Rio Bravo (1959)

Midcredits 98th · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 58/100 in their films, across 18 reviewed titles; fans 69, detractors 37. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Walter Barnes' work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 50 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 21 · mildMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Walter Barnes work with?

People who share at least 2 of Walter Barnes' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Karl May shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers