John Wray - Actor Profile

John Wray

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
50Total Films
9.0 Highest Rated
Born: Feb 12, 1887
Birth Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

About John Wray

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. John Wray (13 February 1887 - 5 April 1940) was an American character actor of stage and screen. Wray was one of the many Broadway actors to descend on Hollywood in the aftermath of the sound revolution, and quickly made an indelible impression on the era in a variety of substantial character roles, such as the Arnold Rothstein-like gangster in The Czar of Broadway (1930); Himmelstoss, the sadistic drill instructor in All Quiet on the Western Front (1930); and as the contortionist the Frog in the remake of The Miracle Man (1932), in the role previously played by Lon Chaney in the 1919 original. During this period he was one of the many actors mentioned for the title role in Dracula (1931). Wray's roles grew increasingly smaller as the decade progressed but he was very visible as the starving farmer threatening to kill Gary Cooper in Frank Capra's classic Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) and as the warden in Fritz Lang's You Only Live Once (1937). Other films include Doctor X (1932), I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932), Frisco Kid (1935), Poor Little Rich Girl (1936), Boys Town (1938), Each Dawn I Die (1939), The Cat and the Canary (1939) and Gone with the Wind (1939). Description above from the Wikipedia article John Wray(actor), licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of John Wray reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of John Wray's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 38% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), John Wray remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Know Your Money, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best John Wray Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from John Wray's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of John Wray.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1940 The Doctor Takes a Wife Joe, the Farmer (uncredited) Average Similar →
1940 The Man from Dakota Mr. Carpenter Flop Similar →
1940 Swiss Family Robinson Ramsey Average Similar →
1940 Know Your Money Bowers the Printer Super Hit Similar →
1940 Remember the Night Hank Hit Similar →
1939 Gone with the Wind Prison Gang Overseer (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1939 The Amazing Mr. Williams Stanley Average Similar →
1939 The Cat and the Canary Hendricks Hit Similar →
1939 Blackmail Convict Diggs Average Similar →
1939 Golden Boy Chocolate Drop's Manager Average Similar →
1939 Each Dawn I Die Pete Kassock Hit Similar →
1939 Winter Carnival Poultry Truck Driver Average Similar →
1939 Almost a Gentleman 'Crack' Williams Average Similar →
1939 Risky Business Silas Average Similar →
1938 A Man to Remember Tom Johnson Hit Similar →
1938 Boys Town Weasel (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1938 Spawn of the North Dr. Sparks Average Similar →
1938 Professor Beware Head Lawyer Average Similar →
1938 What Price Safety! J. Z. Wray Average Similar →
1938 The Black Doll Walling Flop Similar →
1937 The Women Men Marry Brother Nameless Average Similar →
1937 You Only Live Once Warden Wheeler Hit Similar →
1937 We Who Are About to Die Jerry Daley Hit Similar →
1936 A Man Betrayed Sparks Average Similar →
1936 Valiant Is the Word for Carrie George Darnley Average Similar →
1936 The Devil Is a Sissy Priest Hit Similar →
1936 Poor Little Rich Girl Flagin Hit Similar →
1936 Mr. Deeds Goes to Town Farmer Super Hit Similar →
1935 Frisco Kid The Weasel Hit Similar →
1935 Atlantic Adventure Mitts Coster Average Similar →
1935 Men Without Names Gangster Sam "Red" Hammond Average Similar →
1935 Stranded Mike Gibbons Average Similar →
1935 The Great Hotel Murder Feets Moore Average Similar →
1934 I Am a Thief Antonio Poricci Average Similar →
1934 The Captain Hates the Sea Mr. Jeddock Average Similar →
1934 The Defense Rests Michael Cooney Hit Similar →
1934 Bombay Mail Giovanni Martini Average Similar →
1934 The Big Shakedown Higgins Average Similar →
1933 After Tonight Mitika, the Gypsy Contact Average Similar →
1932 The Match King Foreman of Janitors Average Similar →
1932 I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang Nordine (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1932 Doctor X Dr. Haines Average Similar →
1932 Miss Pinkerton Hugo Average Similar →
1932 The Miracle Man The Frog Average Similar →
1932 The Mouthpiece Mr. Barton Average Similar →
1932 High Pressure Jimmy Moore Flop Similar →
1931 Safe in Hell Eagan Hit Similar →
1931 Silence Harry Silvers Super Hit Similar →
1931 Quick Millions Kenneth Stone Hit Similar →
1930 All Quiet on the Western Front Himmelstoss Super Hit Similar →

John Wray - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of John Wray?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring John Wray is "Know Your Money" with a rating of 9.0/10.

How many movies has John Wray acted in?

John Wray has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by John Wray?

Other notable films include "Gone with the Wind", "I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang", and "All Quiet on the Western Front".