John Wray - Actor Profile

John Wray

Acting
Updated: May 12, 2026
50Total Films
9.0 Highest Rated
Born: Feb 12, 1887
Birth Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

About John Wray

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. John Wray (13 February 1887 - 5 April 1940) was an American character actor of stage and screen. Wray was one of the many Broadway actors to descend on Hollywood in the aftermath of the sound revolution, and quickly made an indelible impression on the era in a variety of substantial character roles, such as the Arnold Rothstein-like gangster in The Czar of Broadway (1930); Himmelstoss, the sadistic drill instructor in All Quiet on the Western Front (1930); and as the contortionist the Frog in the remake of The Miracle Man (1932), in the role previously played by Lon Chaney in the 1919 original. During this period he was one of the many actors mentioned for the title role in Dracula (1931). Wray's roles grew increasingly smaller as the decade progressed but he was very visible as the starving farmer threatening to kill Gary Cooper in Frank Capra's classic Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) and as the warden in Fritz Lang's You Only Live Once (1937). Other films include Doctor X (1932), I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932), Frisco Kid (1935), Poor Little Rich Girl (1936), Boys Town (1938), Each Dawn I Die (1939), The Cat and the Canary (1939) and Gone with the Wind (1939). Description above from the Wikipedia article John Wray(actor), licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia

John Wray Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of John Wray reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of John Wray's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 88% of John Wray's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains The Czar of Broadway, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best John Wray Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from John Wray's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie John Wray has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1940 The Doctor Takes a Wife Joe, the Farmer (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1940 Know Your Money Bowers the Printer Super Hit Similar →
1940 Remember the Night Hank Hit Similar →
1939 Gone with the Wind Prison Gang Overseer (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1939 The Cat and the Canary Hendricks Hit Similar →
1939 Blackmail Convict Diggs Hit Similar →
1939 Golden Boy Chocolate Drop's Manager Hit Similar →
1939 Smuggled Cargo Chris Hays Super Hit Similar →
1939 Each Dawn I Die Pete Kassock Hit Similar →
1939 Winter Carnival Poultry Truck Driver Super Hit Similar →
1939 Almost a Gentleman 'Crack' Williams Super Hit Similar →
1939 Risky Business Silas Hit Similar →
1938 A Man to Remember Tom Johnson Hit Similar →
1938 Crime Takes a Holiday Howell Super Hit Similar →
1938 Boys Town Weasel (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1938 Tenth Avenue Kid Joe Turner Super Hit Similar →
1938 Professor Beware Head Lawyer Average Similar →
1938 Making the Headlines Herbert Sandford Super Hit Similar →
1938 What Price Safety! J. Z. Wray Hit Similar →
1938 The Black Doll Walling Hit Similar →
1937 The Women Men Marry Brother Nameless Average Similar →
1937 On Such a Night Guard Rumann Hit Similar →
1937 The Devil Is Driving Joe Peters Hit Similar →
1937 Circus Girl Roebling Hit Similar →
1937 Outcast Hank Simmerson Super Hit Similar →
1937 You Only Live Once Warden Wheeler Hit Similar →
1937 We Who Are About to Die Jerry Daley Hit Similar →
1936 Valiant Is the Word for Carrie George Darnley Hit Similar →
1936 The Devil Is a Sissy Priest Hit Similar →
1936 Poor Little Rich Girl Flagin Hit Similar →
1936 Mr. Deeds Goes to Town Farmer Super Hit Similar →
1935 Frisco Kid The Weasel Hit Similar →
1935 Bad Boy Fred Larkin Super Hit Similar →
1935 Men Without Names Gangster Sam "Red" Hammond Average Similar →
1935 Ladies Love Danger - Super Hit Similar →
1934 I Am a Thief Antonio Poricci Average Similar →
1934 I'll Fix It Fletcher Super Hit Similar →
1934 The Captain Hates the Sea Mr. Jeddock Average Similar →
1934 Embarrassing Moments Slug Super Hit Similar →
1934 The Defense Rests Michael Cooney Hit Similar →
1934 Bombay Mail Giovanni Martini Super Hit Similar →
1933 After Tonight Mitika, the Gypsy Contact Hit Similar →
1932 The Match King Foreman of Janitors Hit Similar →
1932 I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang Nordine (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1932 The Woman from Monte Carlo Cmdr. Brambourg Average Similar →
1931 Safe in Hell Eagan Hit Similar →
1931 Silence Harry Silvers Super Hit Similar →
1931 Quick Millions Kenneth Stone Hit Similar →
1930 The Czar of Broadway Morton Bradstreet Super Hit Similar →
1930 All Quiet on the Western Front Himmelstoss Super Hit Similar →

John Wray - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of John Wray?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring John Wray is "The Czar of Broadway" with a rating of 9.0/10.

How many movies has John Wray acted in?

John Wray has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by John Wray?

Other notable films include "Know Your Money", "I'll Fix It", and "Embarrassing Moments".

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