Background
Barnett was born July 4, 1902, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of Luke Barnett, a well-known comedian who specialized in insulting and pulling practical jokes on his audiences.
Barnett was born July 4, 1902, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of Luke Barnett, a well-known comedian who specialized in insulting and pulling practical jokes on his audiences.
Barnett graduated from Duquesne University Preparatory School and Carnegie Institute of Technology.
He appeared on stage originally before appearing in more than 400 films between 1930 and 1975. (Luke"s professional nickname was "Old Manitoba Ribber" and "the King of ") An avid amateur pilot, he flew mail planes for a couple of years. "Barnett for years known in Hollywood as the "professional ribber" -- appearing at banquets and parties as a paid "insulter."" He would insult the guests in a thick German accent, spill the soup and drop the trays—all to the great delight of hosts who enjoyed watching their friends squirm and mutter "Who hired that jerk?" "Among the celebrated "victims" of his practical jokes were President Franklin Doctorate. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Bernard Shaw, Henry Ford, and Charles Lindbergh." Barnett made his stage debut with "Earl Carroll"s Vanities" in 1926.
The following year, he acted on Broadway in "George White"s Scandals".
In one of his last public appearances, Vince showcased his unique brand of humour with a monologue, delivered at Madison Square Garden in the vaudeville revue The Big Show of 1936. Barnett died of heart disease August 10, 1977, at Encino Hospital Medical Center.