Olive Carey

Olive Carey
Olive Carey
	Carey in an episode of Lock-Up (1960)
Born	Olive Fuller Golden; January 31, 1896; New York City, U.S.
Died	March 13, 1988 (aged 92); Carpinteria, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1913–1966
Spouse	Harry Carey (m. 1920; died 1947)
Children	2, including Harry Carey Jr.
Parent	George Fuller Golden (father);

Olive Carey (born Olive Fuller Golden; January 31, 1896 – March 13, 1988) was an American film and television actress, and the mother of actor Harry Carey Jr.

Early life

Carey was born Olive Fuller Golden in New York City,^[1] the daughter of Ada (Maxwell), who was from Surrey, England, and George Fuller Golden (originally George Michael Fuller), a vaudeville entertainer.^[2]

In 1912, her father died, "leaving a wife and four children destitute."^[3] She had a sister, Ruth Fuller Golden, who also acted in films.^[1]

Career

Films 1910s to 1950s

Carey's screen debut was in Sorrowful Jones (1913). She next acted in Tess of the Storm Country (1914).^[1] (An obituary indicates that the name of her initial film was The Sorrowful Shore.)^[4] She appeared in more than 50 films, mostly Westerns, including Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, often playing tough tomboy parts.

Television and films 1950s and later

In 1956, Carey guest starred in the episode "Death in the Snow" of NBC's anthology series, The Joseph Cotten Show. In 1957 and 1958, Carey played Elsie, the live-in housekeeper, on the CBS sitcom Mr. Adams and Eve, which starred the then real-life married acting couple, Howard Duff and Ida Lupino. She subsequently appeared on the CBS sitcom Dennis the Menace, starring Jay North.

About this time, Carey was cast on two NBC Westerns Cimarron City, with George Montgomery and John Smith, and The Restless Gun, starring John Payne. In 1960 and 1961, Carey performed the role of Casey, Macdonald Carey's (no relation) secretary, in several episodes of the television series Lock-Up.

On November 7, 1961, Carey played Ma Tolliver, the owner of a former stagecoach stop, in the episode "Deadly Is the Night" of NBC's Laramie Western series. On April 22, 1962, she delivered a noteworthy performance as the vengeance-seeking bullying mother, "Ma Martin", of three grown sons in the episode "The Youngest" of the ABC-Warner Brothers Western series, Lawman.^[5]

Personal life

In 1920, she wed actor Harry Carey, with whom she remained until his death in 1947. They had two children, a daughter Ellen and a son, actor Harry Carey, Jr.^[1] In 1928, the failure of the St. Francis Dam northwest of Los Angeles caused a flood, the damages of which included seven deaths on the Careys' ranch and a loss estimated at $750,000 ($13.3 million today). As a result, when Harry Carey died in 1947, his estate was worth only about $15,000 ($234,000 today).^[3]

Death

Carey died of natural causes at the age of 92 at her home in Carpinteria, California.^[4]

Filmography

The Sorrowful Shore (1913) – The Orphan
Tess of the Storm Country (1914) – Teola Graves
When the Gods Played a Badger Game (1915) – Marie – a Chorus Girl
Such Is Life (1915) – Olive Trent
Just Jim (1915) – Aunt Mary
The Millionaire Paupers (1915)
The Frame-Up (1915) – Nell Harter
A Knight of the Range (1916) – Bess Dawson
Stampede in the Night (1916) – Nell Wilson
The Night Riders (1916) – Jennie Marston – the Sheriff's Sister
The Passing of Hell's Crown (1916) – Rose Graney
The Wedding Guest (1916) – Panchita
The Committee on Credentials (1916) – Josephine
For the Love of a Girl (1916) – Jane Buckley – Cliff's Daughter
Love's Lariat (1916) – Goldie Le Croix
A Woman's Eyes (1916) – Sunny Baker
The Devil's Own (1916) – Vera Browning
The Yellow Pawn (1916)
Trader Horn (1931) – Edith Trent
The Vanishing Legion (1931, Serial) – Nurse Lewis [Chs. 9–12]
Border Devils (1932) – Ethel Denham
Naughty Marietta (1935) – Madame Renavant (uncredited)
The Whip Hand (1951) – Mabel Turner
On Dangerous Ground (1951) – Mrs. Brent
Monkey Business (1952) – Johnny's Mother (uncredited)
Face to Face (1952) – Laura Lee ('The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky')
Affair with a Stranger (1953) – Cynthia Craig
Rogue Cop (1954) – Selma
The Cobweb (1955) – Mrs. O'Brien – Nurse
I Died a Thousand Times (1955) – Ma Goodhue
The Searchers (1956) – Mrs. Jorgenson
Pillars of the Sky (1956) – Mrs. Anne Avery
The Wings of Eagles (1957) – Bridy O'Faolain (uncredited)
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957) – Mrs. Clanton
Run of the Arrow (1957) – Mrs. O'Meara
Night Passage (1957) – Miss Vittles
The Alamo (1960) – Mrs. Dennison
Two Rode Together (1961) – Mrs. Abby Frazer
Billy the Kid vs. Dracula (1966) – Dr. Henrietta Hull (final film role)

Selected television appearances

Mr. Adams and Eve – regular cast – Elsie (1957–1958)
Wagon Train – episode "The Jesse Cowan Story" – Dorcas Beale S1 E17 (1957)
The Restless Gun - episode "The Peddler" (1958)
The Rifleman – episode – episode "Shivaree" – Ma Wilson (1959)
Tombstone Territory – episode "Trail’s End" – Frieda Thompson (1959)
New Comedy Showcase – episode "Maisie" – Mrs. Clary (1960)
Dennis the Menace - episode "Man of the House" - Mrs. Rafferty (1960)

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Katchmer, George A. (2002). A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses. McFarland. p. 135. ISBN 9781476609058. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
^ "1". Archived from the original on August 10, 2011. Retrieved December 28, 2012.
^ ^a ^b Thomas, Bob (May 7, 1956). "Olive Carey's Acting Career Is On Upgrade Again After 30-Year Absence". Lubbock Evening Journal. Lubbock, Texas. Associated Press. p. 23. Retrieved November 5, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b "Golden Age star OIive Carey dies at 92". Ukiah Daily Journal. California, Ukiah. Associated Press. March 16, 1988. p. 8.
^ "Lawman". TVGuide.com. Retrieved June 18, 2024.