Russet-haired and with freckles, American juvenile actor Buzz Barton (born William Lamoureaux) began his screen career at the age of 11 as Billy Lamar, doubling child actor Frankie Darro and supporting Western star Jack Perrin. His studio, Film Booking Office, changed his name to the spunkier Buzz Barton and publicized him, with reasonable accuracy, as "The World's Greatest Juvenile Rider and Western Star." The Red Hepner series he starred in for FBO was quite popular with children, but Barton faced an unsure future when the company stopped making B-Westerns in 1928. A rather gawky teenager, Barton kicked around Hollywood for a while and played Rex Bell's sidekick in four oaters for Gower Gulch company Resolute before joining the ranks of supporting players. Barton's appeal did not survive adulthood and he left Hollywood in favor of the rodeo circuit around 1940. Barton was back in films by the late '60s, but strictly as a bit part player.
by Hans J. Wollstein
biography
