Joe Brooks

John Joseph Brooks Jr. was an American character actor, best known for portraying Trooper Vanderbilt, the near-sighted soldier, in F Troop. He was born and died in Los Angeles, and began his acting career after graduating from high school; he had his first speaking part in the 1944 John Wayne film, The Fighting Seabees. During World War II, Brooks put his acting career on hold and served his country fighting in the South Pacific. He then returned to California and continued to act, mainly as an extra and in bit parts until he was called to audition for the role of Vanderbilt. His career…