Born: January 31, 1896 in New York City, New York, USADied: March 13, 1988Active: 1920-1966Birth Name: Olive Fuller Golden
About Olive Carey
Olive Carey, born Olive Fuller Golden, was a distinguished American actress whose career spanned over four decades in Hollywood. She began her acting career in the 1920s after marrying actor Harry Carey Sr., quickly establishing herself as a reliable character actress in silent films. With the transition to sound, Carey successfully adapted her acting style and became particularly known for her roles in Western films, often portraying strong maternal figures or frontier women. She worked frequently with director John Ford and appeared in many of his classic Westerns, often alongside her husband and later her son Harry Carey Jr. After her husband's death in 1947, she continued acting, taking on more substantial supporting roles in films like 'Red River' (1948) and 'The Searchers' (1956). Her career extended into television in the 1950s and 1960s, where she made numerous guest appearances in popular Western series. Carey retired from acting in the 1960s, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances that helped define the maternal archetype in American Western cinema.
The Craft
On Screen
Carey was known for her natural, understated acting style that brought authenticity and warmth to her maternal roles. She specialized in portraying strong, resilient frontier women with a combination of toughness and tenderness. Her performances were characterized by subtle facial expressions and a grounded, realistic approach that contrasted with the more theatrical style common in early cinema. In Westerns particularly, she embodied the pioneer spirit with a quiet dignity that made her characters believable and relatable.
Milestones
Film debut in 'The Man Who Won' (1923)
Marriage to Harry Carey Sr. in 1920
Transition from silent to sound films
Key roles in John Ford Westerns
Memorable performance in 'Red River' (1948)
Extended television career in the 1950s-60s
Final film appearance in 'The Young Warriors' (1967)
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Mrs. Jorgensen in 'The Searchers' (1956)
Mrs. Millie in 'Red River' (1948)
Various maternal figures in John Ford Westerns
Must-See Films
Red River
1948
The Searchers
1956
3 Godfathers
1948
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
1949
Rio Grande
1950
The Quiet Man
1952
Angel and the Badman
1947
awards
nominations
honors
Hollywood Walk of Fame star (Motion Pictures) at 6276 Hollywood Boulevard
personalLife
Olive Carey was deeply embedded in Hollywood's Western film community through her marriage and family connections. She met Harry Carey Sr. while working as a contract player for Universal Studios, and their marriage lasted 27 years until his death in 1947. The couple had two children, Harry Carey Jr. (who became a prominent character actor) and Ella 'Cappy' Carey. After her husband's death, she continued to maintain close relationships within the film community, particularly with John Ford, who had been a longtime friend and collaborator of her husband. She was known as a warm, supportive presence on film sets and was respected for her professionalism and dedication to her craft.
spouses
Harry Carey Sr. (1920-1947, his death)
children
Harry Carey Jr. (1921-2012) - became a prominent character actor in Westerns,Ella 'Cappy' Carey
education
Educated in New York public schools; no formal dramatic training reported
studioAffiliations
Universal Pictures,20th Century Fox,Republic Pictures,Warner Bros.
frequentCollaborators
John Ford,John Wayne,Harry Carey Sr.,Maureen O'Hara,Ward Bond
mentors
Harry Carey Sr. (husband and mentor),John Ford
protégés
Influenced younger actors in Western films through her maternal roles
culturalImpact
Olive Carey made a significant contribution to the Western genre by helping to establish the archetype of the strong, resilient frontier woman. Her performances in John Ford's cavalry trilogy and other classic Westerns helped define the visual and emotional landscape of American Western cinema. She represented the pioneer spirit and the strength of women who helped settle the American West, bringing depth and authenticity to roles that might otherwise have been one-dimensional. Her work spanned the entire evolution of the Western genre from silent films through the golden age of Hollywood Westerns and into the television era.
legacy
Olive Carey's legacy lies in her extensive body of work that helped shape the Western genre's depiction of women and family. As part of the Carey acting dynasty, she contributed to a family tradition that spanned generations in Hollywood. Her performances continue to be appreciated by film scholars and Western enthusiasts for their authenticity and emotional depth. She is remembered as one of the most reliable and recognizable character actresses of Hollywood's golden age, particularly in Western films where her maternal presence provided emotional grounding to many classic productions.
influence
Carey influenced subsequent generations of character actresses, particularly those working in Westerns, by demonstrating how supporting roles could be infused with depth and authenticity. Her natural acting style and ability to convey complex emotions through subtle means influenced the move toward more realistic performances in genre films. Through her son Harry Carey Jr., her influence extended to the next generation of Western actors, and her work with directors like John Ford helped establish standards for ensemble acting in large-scale productions.
trivia
She was discovered by director James Young while working as a secretary,She and Harry Carey Sr. owned and operated a ranch in Saugus, California,Her son Harry Carey Jr. appeared in over 100 films, many Westerns,She was part of what became known as the 'John Ford Stock Company',She appeared in nine films with John Wayne,Her Hollywood Walk of Fame star was dedicated in 1960,She made her final film appearance at age 71,She was a close friend of Maureen O'Hara,She often played characters named 'Mrs. Jorgensen' or similar maternal roles,Her birth name was Olive Fuller Golden before adopting Carey professionally
famousQuotes
On working in Westerns: 'The West wasn't just a place on a map, it was a state of mind. We tried to capture that spirit in every picture.',On her acting philosophy: 'I never thought of myself as a star. I was a working actress, and I was proud of it.',On John Ford: 'Working with Ford was like being part of a family. He demanded your best, but he gave you his best in return.'
