British-born Henry Travers, a seasoned veteran of the English stage, made the bold decision to emigrate to the United States in 1917, where he continued to hone his craft on the esteemed Broadway stage, collaborating with the Theatre Guild.
As his film career began to take shape, Travers made his debut in the 1933 production "Reunion in Vienna". Over the next 25 years, his kindly, grandfatherly demeanor would become a hallmark of his performances, captivating audiences in a wide range of films.
One of his most memorable roles was that of Joan Leslie's kindly but slyly observant uncle in the 1941 film "High Sierra". He also brought warmth and generosity to the character of Mr. Bogardus in "The Bells of St. Mary's" (1945).
However, it is perhaps his iconic portrayal of the somewhat befuddled angel Clarence Oddbody, assigned to James Stewart in the timeless classic "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946),that Travers will forever be remembered for.
After a long and illustrious career, Travers decided to retire from the screen in 1949, and eventually passed away in Hollywood in 1965.
