Harry Cheshire

Harry Cheshire
Harry V. Cheshire (August 16, 1891 – June 16, 1968), originally from Emporia, Kansas, was an American character actor who appeared in over 100 films, mostly playing small roles. He was also a stage actor and performed on a St. Louis radio station's musical program. He may be best known for playing Judge Ben Wiley on Buffalo Bill, Jr.
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. He was active in stage work with the Hi Jinks Company and Liberty Players acting troupes during the 1920s and 1930s.
He acquired the nickname Pappy after appearing as Pappy Cheshire with his Hilly Billy Band on the St. Louis radio station KMOX.
Film and television work
Cheshire's first film role was as Pappy Cheshire in the 1940 Republic Pictures' musical Barnyard Follies. 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. He played Doctor Gray in Adventures of Gallant Bess. 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.
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.. From 1958-1962 he was Judge Traeger in episodes of the Lawman.
He guest starred in other television programs, including The Lone Ranger, Annie Oakley, The Gene Autry Show, The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, I Love Lucy and The Red Skelton Show.
One writer stated that Cheshire had the ability "to appear genial and grumpy at the same time."
Personal life
Harry Cheshire was married to Myrtle Cheshire. They had two children, son Harry Jr. and daughter Leona, and in February 1968 the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Cheshire died in 1968. He is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles.
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) - Col. 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) - Col. 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) - Col onelGarnett
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) - Gov. 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)
Don't Give Up the Ship (1959) - Judge Whipple - Wedding Guest with Cake in Hat (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
1891 births
1968 deaths
American male film actors
American male television actors
People from Emporia, Kansas
Male actors from Kansas
Male actors from Greater Los Angeles
20th-century American male actors