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.
[1] He may be best known for playing Judge Ben Wiley on Buffalo Bill, Jr.[4] 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.
[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.
[3] They had two children, son Harry Jr. and daughter Leona, and in February 1968 the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
He is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles.