Joe Harris (January 11, 1870 - June 11, 1953) was an American actor, who between 1913 and 1923 appeared in at least 94 silent films, many of them cowboy westerns. He often played villains opposite early cowboy star Harry Carey.

Biography

Harris was born Joseph Harris on January 11, 1870 in Lewiston, Maine to Irish parents. His first major film roles were in Hollywood productions by Venus Features where he was one of the stock actors for Powers Picture Plays, which was owned by film producer Pat Powers. He ultimately became friends with cowboy silent film star Harry Carey, for whom he worked as a hired hand. He became one of the members of John Ford's stock company at Universal Pictures and ultimately appeared with Carey in about twenty silent Westerns. He and Carey remained lifelong friends, and he lived with Carey and his family for most of his life. He died at the age of 82 on June 11, 1953 in Hollywood, California at the house of Harry Carey Jr.