Alexander Crichlow Barker Jr. was a direct descendant of Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, and Sir William Henry Crichlow, a historical Governor-General of Barbados. He attended the prestigious Fessenden School and Phillips-Exeter Academy, where he excelled in football and track. Barker's academic endeavors were soon interrupted when he left Princeton to pursue a career in acting.
His talent was quickly recognized, and he received a contract offer from 20th Century Fox after being spotted while working in summer stock theatre. However, World War II intervened, and Barker enlisted as an infantry private, rising to the rank of major.
After the war, he was signed by Fox and then Warner Bros, but he struggled to find his place in the industry due to his height and lack of recognition. It wasn't until his starring role in Tarzan's Magic Fountain (1949) that he gained his first leading part. Barker went on to make five Tarzan films before transitioning to other adventure films.
He continued to work in Hollywood, making 16 non-Tarzan films, mostly westerns, before traveling to Europe in 1957. His proficiency in multiple languages, including French, Spanish, Italian, and German, allowed him to work in various countries, including Brazil, Germany, Spain, Yugoslavia, Italy, Lebanon, France, and the USA.
Barker's popularity soared in Germany, where he played iconic roles such as "Old Shatterhand", "Kara Ben Nemsi", and "Dr. Karl Sternau" in films based on the works of renowned German writer Karl May. He won the prestigious Bambi Award as Best Foreign Actor of 1966, solidifying his status as a beloved international star.
Throughout his illustrious career, Barker made over 50 films worldwide, cementing his legacy as a versatile and accomplished actor.
