Henry Travers
British-American actor
Cite this page
“Henry Travers.” thisDay, thisday.info/people/henry-travers/. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.
Henry Travers. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://thisday.info/people/henry-travers/
“Henry Travers.” thisDay. Accessed October 22, 2026. https://thisday.info/people/henry-travers/.
Who was Henry Travers?
Travers John Heagerty (5 March 1874 – 18 October 1965), known professionally as Henry Travers, was an English film and stage character actor who specialised in portraying slightly bumbling but amiable and likeable older men. Travers John Heagerty was born in Prudhoe, Northumberland, the son of Daniel Heagerty, a doctor originally from Ireland, and Ellen Gillman Hornibrook, also a native of Ireland (County Cork). Travers had a half-brother, Samuel William Belcher, by his mother's previous marriage. He had a brother, Daniel George Belsaigne Heagerty, and a sister, Mary Sophia Maude Heagerty. Travers grew up in Berwick-upon-Tweed, and many biographies wrongly report him as being born there. She was previously married to William H. Belcher, a merchant seaman. Travers John Heagerty, known professionally as Henry Travers, was an English film and stage character actor who specialised in portraying slightly bumbling but amiable and likeable older men.
Historical significance
His best known role to today's audiences was the guardian angel Clarence Odbody in the 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life. He also received an Academy Award nomination for his supporting role in Mrs. Miniver (1942). Other notable films include The Invisible Man (1933), Dark Victory (1939), High Sierra (1941), and The Bells of St. Mary's (1945).
Cite this page
“Henry Travers.” thisDay, thisday.info/people/henry-travers/. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.
Henry Travers. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://thisday.info/people/henry-travers/
“Henry Travers.” thisDay. Accessed October 22, 2026. https://thisday.info/people/henry-travers/.