LOS ANGELES (AP) — Harry Carey Jr., a character actor who starred in such Westerns as "3 Godfathers" and "Wagon Master," has died. He was 91.
His daughter, Melinda Carey, said he died Thursday of natural causes surrounded by family at a hospice facility in Santa Barbara, Calif.
"He went out as gracefully as he came in," she said Friday.
Carey's career spanned more than 50 years and included such John Ford classics as "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," ''The Searchers" and "The Long Gray Line." Later in life, he appeared in the movies "Gremlins" and "Back to the Future Part III."
His memoir, "Company of Heroes: My Life as an Actor in the John Ford Stock Company," was published in 1994.
While he lacked the leading-man stature of longtime friend and co-star John Wayne, Carey's boyish looks and horse-riding skills earned him roles in many of Ford's films.
He and fellow character Ben Johnson famously learned to stand simultaneously on two galloping horses — a trick known as roman riding — for the 1950 film "Rio Grande" starring Wayne.
"My journey has been that of a character actor," he wrote in his memoir. "I've worked with the great and the not-so-great. But mostly I've worked with men and women who loved their profession, and who like me, had kids to raise and houses to pay for."
Carey was the son of silent-film Western star Harry Carey Sr. and actress Olive Carey. He was born on May 16, 1921, on his family's ranch and graduated from Hollywood's Black-Foxe Military Institute.
During World War II, he served in the Navy and worked with Ford on films for the Navy.
He is survived by his wife, a son, two daughters, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
DERRIK J. LANG, AP Entertainment Writer
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Mr Carey would write to me over the years via Email, and we would talk about his various films. His book Company of Heroes is a must for all Ford Ensemble fans. I join in sending condolences on his passing.
Maurice H Bank
December 24, 2013 | Clovis, CA
Gilbert Mandeville with Terry
I am so sorry for your loss! My father always talked fondly of visiting with his Carey cousins (related through the Ludlum family) and I always got a kick of watching Mr. Carey on the Mickey Mouse Club and telling everyone he was my "cousin". I loved all of his films.
Terry Mandeville
January 22, 2013 | Duvall, WA
my condolences to the Carey Family, i had the pleasure of emailing with him,and talking about being married to our wifes both of us in august,and enjoying the movies he has been in what a great actor, you will be missed
RICK ADAMS
January 12, 2013 | KELLOGG, IA
To the Carey Family: Your tribute to Dobe on his official website is beautiful and so appropriate for such a gentle man. Thank you for sharing him with the world. May God's peace be with all of you. An admirer of a great talent
January 11, 2013
Our condolences to the Carey family. We corresponded with Dobe & Marilyn during the late '90's and treasure those letters.
May God Bless and watch over them.
Dobe, Fair winds and following Seas, Shipmate.
George Bulgin
January 08, 2013 | McMinnville, OR
He said," I'm taking her to New York City for a steak at Delmonicos, Bub." You could have worn my yellow ribbon, Mr. Carey.
Mary-Ann Hornbaker
January 07, 2013 | Marlborough, MA
YOU ARE OPENING YOUR HAND AND SATISFYING THE DESIRE OF EVERY LIVING THING..pslm.145:16...sorry for your loss..dm
January 07, 2013
All his performances were excellent and his talents always added to the entertainment in any show he was in. May his family be comforted by God in their loss of this gentle man. Fan
January 06, 2013
To the Carey Family- My sincerest condolences. and Thanks For serving during WW2, sir. God bless.
January 06, 2013 | NY