Harry Guardino - Actor Profile

Harry Guardino

Acting
Freshness: Jan 20, 2026
50Total Films
7.5 Highest Rated
Born: Dec 23, 1925
Birth Place: New York City, New York, USA

About Harry Guardino

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Harry Guardino (December 23, 1925—July 17, 1995) was an American actor whose career spanned from the early 1950s to the early 1990s. In 1964, he was cast in a short-lived CBS series entitled The Reporter, a drama about a hard-hitting investigative journalist named Danny Taylor. His principal co-star was Gary Merrill as city editor Lou Sheldon. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Guardino appeared on stage, in films, and on television. His Broadway theatre credits included A Hatful of Rain, One More River (earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance), Anyone Can Whistle, The Rose Tattoo, The Seven Descents of Myrtle, and Woman of the Year. Guardino's other film credits include Houseboat, Pork Chop Hill (about the Korean War), The Five Pennies, King of Kings, Madigan, Lovers and Other Strangers, and Dirty Harry. He was nominated twice for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. He guest starred on John Cassavetes's 1959-1960 series, Johnny Staccato, the story of a pianist/private detective in New York City. In 1960, Guardino appeared as Johnny Caldwell in the episodes "Perilous Passage", "The O'Mara's Ladies", and "Daughter of the Sioux" in the NBC western series Overland Trail starring William Bendix and Doug McClure. McClure two years later would join the long-running The Virginian series on NBC after a preceding stint on the CBS detective series Checkmate (TV series). Guardino had a continuing role as Perry Mason's nemesis, Hamilton Burger, in the 1973 television series The New Perry Mason and a recurring role on Angela Lansbury's Murder, She Wrote. He made guest appearances in dozens of television series, including Studio One, Target: The Corruptors!, The Eleventh Hour, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Kraft Television Theatre, Playhouse 90, Dr. Kildare, The Lloyd Bridges Show, Route 66, Ben Casey, Hawaii Five-O, Love, American Style, The Greatest Show on Earth, Kojak, The Streets of San Francisco, Jake and the Fatman, and Cheers. He had the lead role of Det. Lee Gordon in the 1969 made-for-television suspense film The Lonely Profession. Guardino died at the age of sixty-nine of lung cancer in Palm Springs, California. Description above from the Wikipedia article Harry Guardino, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Harry Guardino 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 Harry Guardino'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 24% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Harry Guardino remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Dirty Harry, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Harry Guardino Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Harry Guardino's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Harry Guardino.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1993 Fist of Honor Dino Diamond Flop Similar →
1991 Under Surveillance Ben Hirsch Flop Similar →
1989 The Neon Empire Nick Average Similar →
1982 Night of 100 Stars Self Hit Similar →
1980 Any Which Way You Can James Beekman Average Similar →
1979 Goldengirl Valenti Flop Similar →
1979 Pleasure Cove Bert Harrison Flop Similar →
1978 Every Which Way but Loose James Beekman (uncredited) Average Similar →
1978 Evening in Byzantium Jerry Olson Flop Similar →
1978 Matilda Uncle Nono Flop Similar →
1978 Police Story: No Margin for Error - Flop Similar →
1977 Contract on Cherry Street Ron Polito Average Similar →
1977 Rollercoaster Keefer Average Similar →
1976 The Enforcer Lt. Al Bressler Hit Similar →
1976 Having Babies Ralph Bancini Average Similar →
1976 Street Killing Al Lanier Flop Similar →
1976 St. Ives Det. Frank Deal Average Similar →
1975 Whiffs Chops Mulligan Hit Similar →
1975 Capone Johnny Torrio Average Similar →
1974 Get Christie Love! Capt. Casey Reardon Flop Similar →
1974 Indict and Convict Mel Thomas Flop Similar →
1973 Moving Target - Flop Similar →
1973 Partners in Crime Walt Connors Flop Similar →
1972 They Only Kill Their Masters Capt. Daniel Streeter Flop Similar →
1971 Dirty Harry Bressler Super Hit Similar →
1971 Dirty Harry's Way Self Flop Similar →
1971 The Last Child Howard Drumm Hit Similar →
1971 Red Sky at Morning Romeo Bonino Hit Similar →
1970 Lovers and Other Strangers Johnny Flop Similar →
1969 The Lonely Profession Leo Gordon Flop Similar →
1968 The Hell with Heroes Lee Harris Flop Similar →
1968 Jigsaw Arthur Belding Average Similar →
1968 Madigan Det. Rocco Bonaro Average Similar →
1967 Valley of Mystery Danny O'Neill Flop Similar →
1967 The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin Sam Trimble Hit Similar →
1966 The Treasure of San Gennaro Jack Hit Similar →
1964 Rhino! Alec Burnett Flop Similar →
1962 Hell Is for Heroes Sgt. Jim Larkin Hit Similar →
1962 The Pigeon That Took Rome Sgt. Joseph Contini Flop Similar →
1961 King of Kings Barabbas Hit Similar →
1960 Five Branded Women Branco Average Similar →
1959 The Five Pennies Tony Valani Hit Similar →
1959 The Killers of Mussolini Captain Neri Flop Similar →
1959 Pork Chop Hill PFC. Forstman Hit Similar →
1958 Houseboat Angelo Donatello Average Similar →
1955 Hold Back Tomorrow Detective Average Similar →
1955 The Big Tip Off Hood #2 Average Similar →
1952 Son of Ali Baba Hamid (uncredited) Flop Similar →
1952 Flesh and Fury Lou Callan Average Similar →
1951 Sirocco Lt. Collet (uncredited) Average Similar →

Harry Guardino - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Harry Guardino?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Harry Guardino is "Dirty Harry" with a rating of 7.5/10.

How many movies has Harry Guardino acted in?

Harry Guardino has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Harry Guardino?

Other notable films include "The Treasure of San Gennaro", "King of Kings", and "Whiffs".