Henry Travers was as James Stewart's somewhat befuddled but kind-hearted guardian angel Clarence Odbody in Frank Capra's 1946 film "It's a Wonderful Life". Traver's character saves Stewart's from committing suicide, and shows him how wonderful his life really is. Though the film was a financial flop, it later became a Christmas classic and one of the most beloved films in American cinema. However, despite his long life, Travers would never know that his performance as Clarence would become his most celebrated, as the film only became a Christmas television perennial in the 1970s and 1980s, long after the actor's death. Travers retired
Henry Travers in 1949 after his supporting role in "The Girl From Jones Beach". Overall, he acted in 52 films. His first wife was actress Amy Forrest-Rhodes (1881–1954). They were married until Amy's death in 1954. Travers married for a second time to Ann G. Murphy (1899–1983) who was a nurse. After several years in retirement, Travers died as a result of arteriosclerosis in 1965, at the age of 91. He is buried with his second wife in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale. Henry Travers Travers John Heagerty (5 March 1874 – 18 October 1965), known by the stage name Henry