Jess Barker (1912-2000) was an American actor whose career primarily spanned the 1940s and 1950s. He began his career in Hollywood with predominantly supporting roles in major productions. His most notable film credits include the musical *Cover Girl* (1944) with Rita Hayworth, Fritz Lang's classic noir *Scarlet Street* (1945), and the comedy *The Time of Their Lives* (1946) with Abbott and Costello. Also known to the public for his turbulent marriage to actress Susan Hayward, his film career declined starting in the 1950s. Subsequently, he worked regularly in B-movies and television productions, appearing in episodes of popular series such as *Perry Mason* and *Adam-12*. Although he never achieved leading man status or received major awards, Barker remained a familiar face in American cinema of his era.