Harry Carey, Jr.

Biography

Henry George "Harry" Carey Jr. (May 16, 1921 - December 27, 2012) was a prominent American actor known for his extensive filmography that exceeds ninety movies, including numerous westerns directed by John Ford, as well as various television shows. He was the child of actors Harry Carey Sr. and Olive Carey and initially pursued a singing career before transitioning to acting with the John Ford Stock Company, where he developed a close friendship and creative partnership with Ford. Throughout his career, Carey participated in several significant Ford films, such as 3 Godfathers (1948), She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949), The Searchers (1956), and Cheyenne Autumn (1964), with some projects featuring his parents as well. Like his father, he earned recognition as a character actor.

Carey collaborated with director Howard Hawks on four films, including Red River (1948), Monkey Business (1952), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), and Rio Bravo (1959), the latter having some of his scenes cut. He often shared the screen with John Wayne and Ben Johnson, appearing in nine films alongside each. Between 1955 and 1957, he portrayed ranch counselor Bill Burnett in the Disney serial Spin and Marty, featured on The Mickey Mouse Club. In the 1960s, Carey starred in various western-themed television series, such as Have Gun - Will Travel and The Legend of Jesse James.

His later film appearances included roles as George Arthur in The Long Riders (1980), Mr. Anderson in Gremlins (1984), aging biker Red in Mask (1985), Joshua Brackett in The Whales of August (1987), saloon old-timer Zeke in Back to the Future Part III (1990), and Marshal Fred White in Tombstone (1993).