Born in Goldthwaite Texas, Barton Yarborough ran away from home as a youth to join vaudeville. In the 1920s he got involved in radio, and in 1932 began a long run as Cliff Barbour on the hugely famous drama "One Man's Family," which he appeared in until his death. Other outstanding radio roles came along the way, such as, in 1938, Doc Long in the "I Love a Mystery" series and Sgt. Ben Romero in the famous "Dragnet" series in 1949. Both of these also had video versions, and Yarborough appeared in three "I Love a Mystery" movies from 1945 to 1946, and the "Dragnet" television series in 1951. But he was only able to film two "Dragnet" episodes. The day after filming the second episode he fell ill and died four days later. Though Yarborough appeared in several movies, his radio work contains his most memorable roles.