Harry V. Cheshire (August 16, 1891 – June 16, 1968) was an American character actor originally from Emporia, Kansas, with more than 150 film appearances to his credit.
Career
Cheshire was active on stage with the Hi Jinks Company and Liberty Players acting troupes.
With a raspy voice, Cheshire frequently played the parts of bankers and western townsmen but occasionally outlaws too. He was perhaps best known for his role as Judge “Fair and Square” Ben Wiley in the syndicated western television series, Buffalo Bill, Jr., in which he is the founder and leading citizen of the fictional town of Wileyville, Texas.
Cheshire appeared as Judge Trager between 1958 and 1962 in fifteen episodes of the ABC/Warner Brothers western series, Lawman, with John Russell and Peter Brown.
Cheshire’s film appearances include Barnyard Follies (1940), O, My Darling Clementine (1943), The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), Dangerous Mission (1954), and an uncredited role in Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair (1952). He guest starred in other television programs, including the westerns, The Lone Ranger, The Range Rider, Annie Oakley, Tales of the Texas Rangers, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, The Texan, and Maverick, and the situation comedies, I Love Lucy, My Little Margie, December Bride, The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, The People’s Choice, The Donna Reed Show, The Real McCoys, Pete and Gladys, Dennis the Menace, and The Ann Sothern Show.
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)
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External Links
Actor Harry Cheshire – Wikipedia
