Lex Barker: From Broadway and WWII to the King of the Jungle
Lex Barker was a versatile actor whose career spanned continents and genres, evolving from a fledgling stage performer to an international cinema icon. Known for his athletic 6'4" frame and striking blond appearance, Barker successfully transitioned from the rigid studio system of Hollywood to the diverse landscapes of European cinema.
Early Career and Military Service
Barker's professional journey began on the stage. In 1938, he made his Broadway debut in a small role in Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor. He also appeared in Orson Welles's production of Five Kings, though the play was plagued by difficulties in Boston and Philadelphia and never reached New York City.
In February 1941, ten months before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Barker paused his acting ambitions to enlist in the U.S. Army. His military service was distinguished; he rose to the rank of major and was wounded in both the head and leg during combat in Sicily. For his bravery and sacrifice, he was awarded the Purple Heart twice.
Breaking Into Hollywood
After recuperating at a military hospital in Arkansas and receiving his discharge, Barker moved to Los Angeles. He quickly entered the film industry with a small role in Doll Face (1945), followed by minor parts in Two Guys from Milwaukee (1945) and Cloak and Dagger (1946).
Barker eventually signed a contract with RKO, appearing in several 1947 films including The Farmer's Daughter, Crossfire, and Under the Tonto Rim. During this period, he also worked with Paramount Studios for Unconquered (1947). His RKO tenure continued with roles in Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome, Berlin Express, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, The Velvet Touch, and Return of the Bad Men (1948), where he portrayed Emmett Dalton.
The Tarzan Era
In 1949, Barker achieved significant fame when he became the 10th official cinematic Tarzan in Tarzan's Magic Fountain. His physical presence and intelligence made him a popular successor to Johnny Weissmuller. Throughout his tenure as the jungle hero, Barker starred alongside several different actresses playing Jane:
- Brenda Joyce in Tarzan's Magic Fountain (1949)
- Vanessa Brown in Tarzan and the Slave Girl (1950)
- Virginia Huston in Tarzan's Peril (1951)
- Dorothy Hart in Tarzan's Savage Fury (1952)
- Joyce MacKenzie in Tarzan and the She-Devil (1953)
Following his final Tarzan film in 1953, producer Sol Lesser cast Gordon Scott to take over the role in 1955.
Transition to Westerns and Action Fare
Barker expanded his range by moving into Westerns, starting with Battles of Chief Pontiac (1952). He continued in outdoor action roles, supporting Randolph Scott in Thunder Over the Plains (1953) and starring in Universal productions such as The Yellow Mountain (1954) and The Man from Bitter Ridge (1955).
By the mid-1950s, he was established as a leading man and character actor. His diverse portfolio included Duel on the Mississippi (1955), the film noir The Price of Fear (1956), the war film Away All Boats (1956), and the thriller The Girl in the Kremlin (1957). He also worked with Howard W. Koch on War Drums and Jungle Heat (both 1957), and appeared in 20th Century-Fox's The Deerslayer (1957) and The Girl in Black Stockings (1957).
International Success in Europe
As Hollywood reduced its production of B-pictures (low-budget commercial films) in 1957, Barker leveraged his multilingual skills—speaking French, Italian, Spanish, and some German—to move to Europe. He starred in over 40 European films, beginning with the British thriller The Strange Awakening (1958).
The Italian Period
In Italy, Barker starred in several swashbucklers, including Captain Falcon, Son of the Red Corsair, and The Pirate and the Slave Girl (all 1959). He also secured a compelling role as the fiancé of Anita Ekberg in Federico Fellini's masterpiece La Dolce Vita (1960).
Stardom in West Germany
Barker found his greatest success in West Germany. He appeared in The Return of Doctor Mabuse (1961) and Doctor Sibelius (1962). However, his most iconic German role was Old Shatterhand in Treasure of Silver Lake (1962), based on the novels by Karl May. This role launched a series of 11 Karl May adaptations through 1968.
Despite speaking German, Barker was typically dubbed by voice actor Gert Günther Hoffmann. His popularity in Germany was immense, leading to the 1966 Bambi Award for Best Foreign Actor. He even recorded two German songs: "Ich bin morgen auf dem Weg zu dir" and "Mädchen in Samt und Seide." His later work included Winnetou and the Crossbreed (1967), the Eurospy film Spy Today, Die Tomorrow, and the horror film The Blood Demon.
While he occasionally returned to the U.S. for television guest appearances, Europe remained his professional home for the rest of his life.
Key Facts
- Military Rank: Rose to the rank of Major in the U.S. Army during WWII.
- War Honors: Awarded the Purple Heart twice after being wounded in Sicily.
- Tarzan Legacy: Served as the 10th official movie Tarzan from 1949 to 1953.
- Linguistic Ability: Fluent in French, Italian, and Spanish, with some knowledge of German.
- German Success: Won the Bambi Award for Best Foreign Actor in 1966.
- Iconic Role: Portrayed Old Shatterhand in a series of 11 Karl May adaptations.
| Period | Primary Region | Notable Roles/Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Late 1930s | USA (Broadway) | The Merry Wives of Windsor |
| 1941–1945 | WWII (Sicily) | Major, U.S. Army; 2x Purple Heart |
| 1945–1948 | USA (Hollywood) | RKO contract; various small roles |
| 1949–1953 | USA (Hollywood) | Tarzan (5 films) |
| 1954–1957 | USA (Hollywood) | Westerns and Action leads |
| 1958–Death | Europe | Old Shatterhand; Bambi Award winner |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Tarzan movies did Lex Barker star in?
Lex Barker starred in five Tarzan films between 1949 and 1953, starting with Tarzan's Magic Fountain and ending with Tarzan and the She-Devil.
What was Lex Barker's role in La Dolce Vita?
Barker played a small but compelling role as the fiancé of the character played by Anita Ekberg in Federico Fellini's 1960 film.
Why did Lex Barker move to Europe in 1957?
He moved to Europe because Hollywood movie studios were curtailing the production of B-pictures, and he was able to utilize his fluency in several European languages.
Which character made Lex Barker a star in West Germany?
Barker achieved massive success playing Old Shatterhand in adaptations of novels by Karl May, beginning with Treasure of Silver Lake in 1962.
Did Lex Barker actually speak the language in his German films?
Although Barker did speak German, he was almost always dubbed by the voice actor Gert Günther Hoffmann in his West German films.