Robert Paul Burns (September 1, 1878 – January 16, 1966) was an American film actor and director. He appeared in more than 200 films between 1908 and 1952 as well as directing 13 films between 1915 and 1916. Burns was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and died in Los Angeles, California. He played Pokes in the Pokes and Jabbs silent comedies of the mid 1910s, with Walter Stull as Jabbs and frequently featuring Babe (Oliver) Hardy. Later he supported Hardy in his partnership with Stan Laurel at the Hal Roach Studios in several of their early short comedies and feature films.

Selected filmography