After working with repertory companies in the South and Midwest, he made his Broadway debut in the musical revue
The Passing Show of 1919 in a role originally intended for Ed Wynn.
He frequently was the highlight in otherwise-mediocre productions, and a critic for the Daily News noted,
"Whenever the book failed him, he shuffled into one or more of his eccentric dances."
Barton's other theatre credits include Sweet and Low in 1930, Tobacco Road in 1933,
Bright Lights of 1944 (which ran only four performances), The Iceman Cometh in 1946,
and Paint Your Wagon in 1951.
Barton's film career was also concurrent to his stage performances. It began in the silent era, in 1923,
and he appeared in a number of Paramount short subjects in 1929.
On television he appeared in The Ford Television Theatre, Lux Video Theatre, Studio One, The Kaiser Aluminum Hour, Playhouse 90,
Kraft Television Theatre, The Rifleman, Adventures in Paradise, and Naked City.
1909 B.F. Keith 5th Avenue Theatre Vaudeville-Kinetograph Flier