Harry Carey (actor born 1878)
| Harry Carey | |
|---|---|
Harry Carey in 1919
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| Born |
Henry DeWitt Carey II January 16, 1878 The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Died | September 21, 1947 (aged 69) Brentwood, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1909–1947 |
| Spouse(s) |
Olive Carey (1920–1947; his death) 2 children Fern Foster (actress) |
Harry Carey (January 16, 1878 – September 21, 1947) was an American actor and one of silent film's earliest superstars. One of his best known performances is as the President of the Senate in the drama film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He was the father of Harry Carey Jr., who was also a prominent actor.
Carey was born "Henry DeWitt Carey II" in the Bronx, New York, a son of Henry DeWitt Carey, (A newspaper source gives the actor's name as "Harry DeWitt Carey II"). a prominent lawyer and judge of the New York Supreme Court, and his wife Ella J. (Ludlum). He grew up on City Island, Bronx.
Carey was a cowboy, railway superintendent, author, lawyer and playwright. He attended Hamilton Military Academy, then studied law at New York University.
When a boating accident led to pneumonia, he wrote a play, Montana, while recuperating and toured the country performing in it for three years. His play was very successful, but Carey lost it all when his next play was a failure. In 1911, his friend Henry B. Walthall introduced him to director D.W. Griffith, with whom Carey would make many films.
Carey's Broadway credits include But Not Goodbye, Ah, Wilderness, and Heavenly Express.
Carey first appeared in a film in 1908. He was contracted to make four films—not only acting but also doing his own stunt work. He is best remembered as one of the first stars of the Western film genre.
In 1909, Carey began working for the Biograph Company. In 1911, he was signed by D.W. Griffith. His first film for Griffith was The Sorrowful Shore, a sea story.
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