Harry Carey (January 16, 1878 – September 21, 1947) was a legendary American actor and one of the earliest and most authentic superstars of the silent Western, a rugged and beloved figure whose career and persona helped define the genre.
After abandoning a law career for the stage, Carey was introduced to pioneering director D.W. Griffith and began his film career in 1911. He soon formed a hugely influential partnership with a young director he championed named John Ford. Together, they made over 25 films, where Carey developed his iconic “Cheyenne Harry” character, a good-hearted, rough-around-the-edges two-gun hero who became one of the most popular figures of the silent era.
With the arrival of sound, Carey transitioned into one of cinema’s most respected character actors. He is best remembered for his powerful, Oscar-nominated performance as the President of the Senate in Frank Capra’s classic Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939). He appeared opposite his son, Harry Carey Jr., in the Howard Hawks epic Red River (1948). Upon his death, John Ford dedicated the film 3 Godfathers to his memory, calling him the “Bright Star of the Early Western Sky.”
