Biography

An experienced pilot, Biberman served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II as a flight instructor.

Towards the end of his career Universal Pictures appointed him head of the studio's Casting Department, responsible for casting most of the roles in its film and television productions.

Short, thin, exotic-looking character actor, he could play anything from a South Seas islander to an Indian bandit to a Japanese army officer, but he was cast most memorably as a hood or a convict (such as Louie in His Girl Friday (1940)). Biberman was extremely active as an actor on Broadway from 1934-1938, usually working with the more avant garde Group Theatre company before moving to Hollywood as a character actor. He went on to have a busy later second career as a TV director, guiding episodes of everything from Gunsmoke (1955) to Gilligan's Island (1964).

Appeared in 9 Broadway productions from 1934-1938, including the original cast production of Winterset (1935). During this period, Biberman was a member of The Group Theatre, Inc., company, whose members included Stella Adler, Clifford Odets and Lee J. Cobb.

He was sometimes credited under the pseudonym Joel Judge.