Wikipedia

Harry Woods (actor)

Harry Lewis Woods[1] (May 5, 1889 – December 28, 1968) was an American film actor.[2]

Harry Woods
Woods in The Ranger and the Lady
(1940)
Born
Harry Lewis Woods

(1889-05-05)May 5, 1889
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
DiedDecember 28, 1968(1968-12-28) (aged 79)
Westminster, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1923-1961
SpouseHelen Priscilla Hockenberry
Children4, including Craig Woods

Career

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Woods was Born in Cleveland, Ohio and was a millinery salesman prior to becoming an actor. Appearing in nearly 250 films between 1923 and 1961, as well as on television, Woods is probably best-known today for his role as gangster Alky Briggs in the Marx Brothers film Monkey Business (1931). During his 35-year film career, he seldom played ordinary henchmen, usually cast as both the brains (the banker or saloon owner who secretly runs the gang terrorizing the area) and the brawn behind the local villainy. Woods was well respected by his peers.[3] Another prime screen villain, Roy Barcroft, once said of him, "Everything I know about being a bad guy I learned from Harry Woods."[4] He retired from acting in 1961.[5][6]

Personal life and death

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In 1911, Woods married Helen Priscilla Hockenberry.[7][8] They had four children: a daughter and three sons, the first of whom died at age 2.[9] The other two, Richard Woods and Harry Lewis Woods Jr., went on to have modest careers as Hollywood bit players, the latter as Craig Woods,[10] the former as Dick Durrell.[11][12][13]

Woods died of uremia in Westminster, California, on December 28, 1968 at the age of 79.[1] He was survived by his wife, daughter and two sons.[6]

Selected filmography

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Lobby card with Buck Jones and Harry Woods in The Range Feud (1931)

References

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  1. ^ a b Katchmer, George A. (2009). A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses. McFarland. p. 407. ISBN 978-0-7864-4693-3. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  2. ^ Kear, Lynn; Rossman, John (2008). The Complete Kay Francis Career Record: All Film, Stage, Radio and Television Appearances. McFarland. p. 262. ISBN 9780786431984. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  3. ^ Rowan, Terry (2013). The American Western: A Complete Film Guide. Lulu.com. p. 447. ISBN 978-1-300-41858-0.
  4. ^ Brode, Douglas (2010). Shooting Stars of the Small Screen: Encyclopedia of TV Western Actors, 1946–Present. University of Texas Press. p. 32. ISBN 9780292783317. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  5. ^ "TV Castings". The Hollywood Reporter. February 21, 1961. p. 10. ProQuest 2338347722. Cora Lang, 'Thriller'; Bruce MacFarlane, 'Surfside 6'; Harry Woods Sr., 'Lawman'; Ken Terrell, 'Peter Gunn'; Art Estrada, 'Hong Kong'; set by Jack Pomeroy Agency.
  6. ^ a b "Actor Harry Woods Rites Set Tuesday". The Los Angeles Times. December 28, 1968. pt. II, p. 5. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  7. ^ "Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X8JC-D34 : Sat Mar 09 15:03:10 UTC 2024), Entry for Harry Lewis Woods and Helen P. Hackenberry, 1911.
  8. ^ "California, County Marriages, 1850-1953", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8VJ-J4K : Wed Mar 06 03:00:36 UTC 2024), Entry for John Thomson Phipps and Maril Lee Woods, 29 January 1941.
  9. ^ "Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X8J3-NHN : Tue Mar 05 04:12:36 UTC 2024), Entry for Thomas A Woods and Harry Woods, 27 Apr 1917.
  10. ^ "Craig, Harry L's Son". The Hollywood Reporter. October 21, 1942. p. 6. ProQuest 2320470035. The Craig Woods who was screen-tested by Columbia last week and given a term contract Monday, is the son of Harry L. Woods, veteran player, and his lone attempt at drama was a role in 'Golden Boy' in summer stock at Massachusetts. He was born in Akron, Ohio, but completed his education at La Conte High School in Los Angeles. Agent Elizabeth Dickinson found him working in a filling station.
  11. ^ "His Father's Son". Los Angeles Daily News. August 18, 192. p. 18. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  12. ^ "Styles by Stern; Jack Stern Pupils Work!". Hollywood Citizen-News. June 29, 1940. p. 10. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  13. ^ Dick Durrell Filmography. American Film Institute
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