Harry Carey, Jr. - Actor Profile

Harry Carey, Jr.

Acting
Freshness: Jan 27, 2026
50Total Films
7.8 Highest Rated
Born: May 16, 1921
Birth Place: Saugus, Santa Clarita, California, USA

About Harry Carey, Jr.

Henry George "Harry" Carey Jr. (May 16, 1921 - December 27, 2012) was an American actor. He appeared in more than ninety films including several John Ford westerns as well as numerous television series. The son of actors Harry Carey Sr. and Olive Carey, he attempted a singing career before beginning his acting career in the John Ford Stock Company. Director John Ford became a close friend and collaborator. Carey appeared in such notable Ford films as 3 Godfathers (1948), She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949), The Searchers (1956), and Cheyenne Autumn (1964), some also featuring appearances by his parents. He became a respected character actor like his father. Carey made four films with director Howard Hawks: Red River (1948), Monkey Business (1952), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), and Rio Bravo (1959 - scenes cut). He also frequently co-starred with actors John Wayne and Ben Johnson, acting together in nine films each. Between 1955 -1957, Carey appeared as ranch counselor Bill Burnett in the serial Spin and Marty, seen on Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse Club. In the 1960s, Carey appeared on such western series as Have Gun - Will Travel and The Legend of Jesse James. Later film roles include 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).

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Harry Carey, Jr. 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: Western

The majority of Harry Carey, Jr.'s filmography leans towards the Western 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 62% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Harry Carey, Jr. remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Rio Bravo, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Harry Carey, Jr. Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Harry Carey, Jr.'s career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Harry Carey, Jr..

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1997 Last Stand at Saber River James Sanford Average Similar →
1996 The Sunchaser Cashier Average Similar →
1994 Wyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone Digger Phelps Hit Similar →
1993 Tombstone Marshall Fred White Super Hit Similar →
1990 The Exorcist III Father Kanavan Average Similar →
1990 Back to the Future Part III Saloon Old Timer Super Hit Similar →
1990 Bad Jim J.C. Lee Hit Similar →
1989 Crossbow: The Movie Mutino Hit Similar →
1987 The Whales of August Joshua Brackett Hit Similar →
1986 Crossroads Bartender Hit Similar →
1985 Mask Red Hit Similar →
1984 Gremlins Mr. Anderson Hit Similar →
1982 The Shadow Riders Pa Traven Average Similar →
1980 The Long Riders George Arthur Hit Similar →
1974 Challenge to White Fang John Tarwater Average Similar →
1972 Man of the East Holy Joe Hit Similar →
1971 Trinity Is Still My Name Father Hit Similar →
1971 Directed by John Ford Self (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1971 Big Jake Pop Dawson Hit Similar →
1969 The Undefeated Webster Average Similar →
1969 Death of a Gunfighter Rev. Cork Average Similar →
1968 Bandolero! Cort Hayjack Hit Similar →
1968 The Devil's Brigade Capt. Rose Average Similar →
1967 The Way West Mr. McBee Average Similar →
1966 The Rare Breed Ed Mabry Average Similar →
1965 Shenandoah Jenkins - Rebel Soldier Hit Similar →
1964 Cheyenne Autumn Trooper Smith (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1961 Two Rode Together Ortho Clegg Average Similar →
1960 The Great Impostor Dr. Joseph Mornay Hit Similar →
1959 Rio Bravo Harold Super Hit Similar →
1956 Gun the Man Down Deputy Lee Average Similar →
1956 The Great Locomotive Chase William Bensinger Average Similar →
1956 The Searchers Brad Jorgensen Super Hit Similar →
1955 Mister Roberts Stefanowski Hit Similar →
1955 House of Bamboo John (uncredited) Average Similar →
1955 The Long Gray Line Dwight D. Eisenhower Hit Similar →
1954 The Outcast Bert Average Similar →
1954 Silver Lode Johnson Average Similar →
1953 Island in the Sky Ralph Hunt, Moon's co-pilot Average Similar →
1953 Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Winslow, Olympic Team Member (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1953 Niagara Taxi Driver Hit Similar →
1952 Monkey Business Reporter (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1950 Rio Grande Trooper Daniel 'Sandy' Boone Hit Similar →
1950 Wagon Master Sandy Hit Similar →
1949 She Wore a Yellow Ribbon 2nd Lt. Ross Pennell Hit Similar →
1948 3 Godfathers William Kearney ('The Abilene Kid') Hit Similar →
1948 Blood on the Moon Cowboy (uncredited) Average Similar →
1948 Moonrise Jimmy Biff Average Similar →
1948 Red River Dan Latimer Hit Similar →
1947 Pursued Prentice Hit Similar →

Harry Carey, Jr. - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Harry Carey, Jr.?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Harry Carey, Jr. is "Rio Bravo" with a rating of 7.8/10.

How many movies has Harry Carey, Jr. acted in?

Harry Carey, Jr. has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Harry Carey, Jr.?

Other notable films include "The Searchers", "Tombstone", and "Back to the Future Part III".