Barrat began on Broadway before doing some work in silents, then moved into talkies; he made over 150 films. Tall and strong, he was often cast as heavies in westerns and other adventure films; however, his imposing, militaristic demeanor also landed him more heroic parts (he twice appeared as General Douglas MacArthur). Barrat's brilliant abilities with dialects also led him to be cast in a variety of "ethnic" roles, from German to Polish to French.