Harvey Parry, a renowned stuntman and actor, was born on April 23, 1900, in the vibrant city of San Francisco, California. His early life was marked by a stint as a circus aerialist, showcasing his agility and daring. Prior to embarking on a career in the entertainment industry, Parry worked as a property man at the studios, where he discovered his unique talents as a boxer and high diver.
In 1919, Parry joined the esteemed Mack Sennett studios, commencing a remarkable career as a stuntman that would span an astonishing sixty-plus years. During this illustrious period, he doubled for numerous notable actors, including John Wayne, Edward G. Robinson, Humphrey Bogart, Harold Lloyd, George Raft, Peter Lorre, Clark Gable, and Monty Banks.
Notably, Parry's diminutive stature of 5'6" also allowed him to double for several actresses, such as Shirley Temple, Mary Pickford, and Carole Lombard. Despite his impressive career, Parry was only seriously injured twice: once while doubling Clark Gable in the 1935 film Call of the Wild, which resulted in a broken back, and again in 1962 during the production of How the West Was Won, where he suffered a twenty-bone break in one foot after a water tower fell the wrong way.
In addition to his work as a stuntman, Parry also appeared in numerous small roles in films and television shows. To maintain his physical fitness, he adhered to a daily routine consisting of push-ups, sit-ups, leg lifts, and a two-mile brisk walk. Tragically, Parry's life was cut short when he succumbed to a heart attack on September 18, 1985, at the age of 85.
