Harry V. Cheshire (August 16, 1891 – June 16, 1968), originally from Emporia, Kansas,[1] was an American character actor who appeared in over 100 films, mostly playing small roles.[2] He was also a stage actor[3] and performed on a St. Louis radio station's musical program.[1] He may be best known for playing Judge Ben Wiley on Buffalo Bill, Jr.[4]
Harry Cheshire | |
|---|---|
 Cheshire in Impact (1949) | |
| Born | Harry V. Cheshire August 16, 1891 Emporia, Kansas, U.S. |
| Died | June 16, 1968 (aged 76) |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1940–1964 |
| Known for | Judge Ben Wiley on Buffalo Bill, Jr. Judge Trager on Lawman |
| Spouse | Myrtle Cheshire |
Early career
Cheshire began his show business career in 1908, entertaining the audience between reels of short silent movies at the Old Nickelodeon Theater in Kansas City.[5] He was active in stage work with the Hi Jinks Company and Liberty Players acting troupes[6] during the 1920s and 1930s.[3]
He acquired the nickname Pappy after appearing as Pappy Cheshire with his Hilly Billy Band[1] on the St. Louis radio station KMOX.[7]
Film and television work
Cheshire's first film role was as Pappy Cheshire in the 1940 Republic Pictures' musical Barnyard Follies.[1] He was the minister who marries George Bailey (James Stewart) and Mary Hatch (Donna Reed) in It's a Wonderful Life, and played small-town judges in the westerns Sioux City Sue, The Fabulous Texan and Carbine Williams.[2] He played Doctor Gray in Adventures of Gallant Bess.[8] In 1955, during a two-week break from filming episodes of the television series Buffalo Bill, Jr., Cheshire was able to fit in a supporting role in the film Soldier of Fortune.[9]
In addition to playing judges in films, Cheshire also played characters following the same occupation on two television series. From 1955 - 1956 he was Judge "Fair and Square" Ben Wiley in the syndicated western television series, Buffalo Bill, Jr..[10] From 1958-1962 he was Judge Traeger in episodes of the Lawman.[2]
He guest starred in other television programs, including The Lone Ranger, Annie Oakley, The Gene Autry Show,[2] The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show,[3] I Love Lucy and The Red Skelton Show.[1]
One writer stated that Cheshire had the ability "to appear genial and grumpy at the same time."[2]
Personal life
Harry Cheshire was married to Myrtle Cheshire.[3] They had two children, son Harry Jr. and daughter Leona, and in February 1968 the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.[1] Cheshire died in 1968. He is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles.[11]
Selected filmography
- Barnyard Follies (1940) - Pappy
- Hi, Neighbor (1942) - Professor Edgar Boggs
- Swing Your Partner (1943) - Harry 'Pappy' Cheshire
- O, My Darling Clementine (1943) - 'Pappy' Cheshire
- Sing, Neighbor, Sing (1944) - Dean Cheshire
- Drifting Along (1946) - Bart Holden (uncredited)
- Smooth as Silk (1946) - Wolcott
- Traffic in Crime (1946) - Dan Marlowe
- Big Town (1946) - Police Chief Masters (uncredited)
- If I'm Lucky (1946) - Phil Gargan, State Engineer (uncredited)
- Child of Divorce (1946) - Judge
- Affairs of Geraldine (1946) - Judge Fricke
- Sioux City Sue (1946) - Mayor Tussie of Whispering Rock (uncredited)
- The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) - Minister at Wedding (uncredited)
- Dick Tracy vs. Cueball (1946) - Jules Sparkle (uncredited)
- It's a Wonderful Life (1946) - Dr. Campbell (uncredited)
- The Luckiest Guy in the World (1947, Short) - Mr. Mossley
- The Pilgrim Lady (1947) - Dr. Bekins
- Code of the West (1947) - Judge Culver (uncredited)
- Shoot to Kill (1947) - Mike Blake
- Lost Honeymoon (1947) - Judge Henderson (uncredited)
- Danger Street (1947) - Commissioner (uncredited)
- The Homestretch (1947) - Colonel Albright (uncredited)
- Sport of Kings (1947) - Theodore McKeogh
- Springtime in the Sierras (1947) - Cap Foster
- The Hucksters (1947) - Joe Lorrison, Lawyer (uncredited)
- I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now (1947) - Stage Manager (uncredited)
- Mother Wore Tights (1947) - Minister (uncredited)
- Nightmare Alley (1947) - Mr. Prescott (uncredited)
- The Invisible Wall (1947) - Eugene Hamilton
- The Fabulous Texan (1947) - Judge Gavin (uncredited)
- Her Husband's Affairs (1947) - Mayor Jim Dandy Harker (uncredited)
- The Flame (1947) - The Minister
- The Tender Years (1948) - Sheriff Fred Ackley
- Slippy McGee (1948) - Dr. Moore
- Here Comes Trouble (1948) - Judge J.J. Bellinger (uncredited)
- Mr. Reckless (1948) - Doctor at Wedding (uncredited)
- Ruthless (1948) - Lawyer Nevin (uncredited)
- Sixteen Fathoms Deep (1948) - Uncle Mike
- The Babe Ruth Story (1948) - Cap Huston (uncredited)
- Northwest Stampede (1948) - Rodeo Judge (uncredited)
- Night Wind (1948) - Judge Thorgeson (uncredited)
- For the Love of Mary (1948) - Colonel Hedley
- Moonrise (1948) - J.B. Sykes
- Incident (1948) - T.A. Hartley
- Racing Luck (1948) - Radcliffe Malone
- Smoky Mountain Melody (1948) - Doc Moffitt
- Adventures of Gallant Bess (1948) - Dr. Gray
- The Lucky Stiff (1949) - Prison Warden (uncredited)
- The Clay Pigeon (1949) - Doctor (uncredited)
- Riders of the Whistling Pines (1949) - Dr. Daniel Chadwick
- Impact (1949) - Irene's Attorney
- Ma and Pa Kettle (1949) - Fletcher (uncredited)
- It Happens Every Spring (1949) - Team Doctor X-Raying King's Hand (uncredited)
- Air Hostess (1949) - Dr. Lee
- Anna Lucasta (1949) - Minister (uncredited)
- Sand (1949) - Logan (uncredited)
- Brimstone (1949) - Calvin Willis
- Miss Grant Takes Richmond (1949) - Leo Hopkins (uncredited)
- The Woman on Pier 13 (1949) - J. Francis Cornwall
- Fighting Man of the Plains (1949) - Lanyard
- Chicago Deadline (1949) - Minister (uncredited)
- Bride for Sale (1949) - Haskins (uncredited)
- The Lady Takes a Sailor (1949) - Judge Vardon (uncredited)
- Paid in Full (1950) - Minister (uncredited)
- Girls' School (1950) - Calhoun Robie
- A Woman of Distinction (1950) - Train Steward (uncredited)
- Square Dance Katy (1950) - Kimbrough
- The Arizona Cowboy (1950) - David Carson
- No Sad Songs for Me (1950) - Mel Fenelly (uncredited)
- Lucky Losers (1950) - John W. 'Chick' Martin
- County Fair (1950) - Auctioneer
- September Affair (1950) - Jim (uncredited)
- Lonely Heart Bandits (1950) - Sheriff Polk
- Chain Gang (1950) - Henry 'Pop' O'Donnell
- Let's Dance (1950) - Man (uncredited)
- Again... Pioneers (1950) - Colonel Garnett
- The Flying Missile (1950) - First Senator (uncredited)
- The Company She Keeps (1951) - Cliff Martin, Larry's Boss (uncredited)
- Blue Blood (1951) - McArthur
- Thunder in God's Country (1951) - Mayor Larkin
- As Young as You Feel (1951) - Chamber of Commerce President (uncredited)
- Rhubarb (1951) - Mr. Seegle, Board Member (uncredited)
- Bannerline (1951) - Mayor Ducat (uncredited)
- The Family Secret (1951) - Dr. Black, Coroner (uncredited)
- Here Come the Nelsons (1952) - Bronco Riding Event Announcer (uncredited)
- Phone Call from a Stranger (1952) - Dr. Luther Fletcher (uncredited)
- Just This Once (1952) - Prouty, Creditor (uncredited)
- Flesh and Fury (1952) - Dr. Gundling (uncredited)
- Carbine Williams (1952) - Judge Kerr (uncredited)
- The Sniper (1952) - Mayor (uncredited)
- Paula (1952) - Gentleman in Park (uncredited)
- Washington Story (1952) - Minor Role (uncredited)
- Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair (1952) - Pastor (uncredited)
- Woman of the North Country (1952) - Bystander (uncredited)
- Dreamboat (1952) - Macintosh (uncredited)
- Ride the Man Down (1952) - Rancher (uncredited)
- Cry of the Hunted (1953) - Doctor (uncredited)
- Latin Lovers (1953) - Tom Marston, Board Member (uncredited)
- Devil's Canyon (1953) - Happy, the Bartender (uncredited)
- Jack Slade (1953) - Mr. Hill (uncredited)
- Escape from Fort Bravo (1953) - Chaplain (uncredited)
- Pride of the Blue Grass (1954) - Hunter
- Dangerous Mission (1954) - Mr. Elster
- Fireman Save My Child (1954) - Commissioner Spencer
- Phffft (1954) - Nina's Divorce Lawyer (uncredited)
- The Seven Little Foys (1955) - Stage Doorman at 'Iroquois' (uncredited)
- The First Traveling Saleslady (1956) - Judge Benson
- The Boss (1956) - Governor Beck (uncredited)
- The Restless Breed (1957) - Mayor Johnson
- Loving You (1957) - Mayor (uncredited)
- My Man Godfrey (1957) - James Elliott
- I Married a Woman (1958) - Texan at Phone Booth (uncredited)
- The Big Country (1958) - Party Guest (uncredited)
- Colgate Theatre (1958) (Season 1 Episode 8: "If You Knew Tomorrow")
- Don't Give Up the Ship (1959) - Judge Whipple, Wedding Guest with Cake in Hat (uncredited)
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1960) (Season 6 Episode 1: "Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat") - Mr. Gorman (uncredited)
- Heller in Pink Tights (1960) - Poker Player (uncredited)
- From the Terrace (1960) - Partner (uncredited)
- Let's Make Love (1960) - Amanda's Father (uncredited)
- The Errand Boy (1961) - Ulysses Paramutual (uncredited)
- The Patsy (1964) - Police Sergeant (uncredited) (final film role)
References
External links
