
John Wray
ActingAbout 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.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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".




