Harry was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and later relocated to Los Angeles, California in 1937. Initially, he found employment in the mail room at Columbia Studios, where he would eventually work alongside a young Ronald Reagan, who would later become his supervisor. While working at Columbia, Harry attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and honed his skills as an apprentice sound cutter and assistant sound effects editor.
As his career progressed, Harry was hired by Reagan as a sound effects editor for training and combat films. However, his professional journey was temporarily put on hold when he enlisted in the Army Air Forces during World War II, serving in the first Motion Picture Unit.
Following his military service, Harry resumed his career in the film industry, going on to win an Emmy Award in 1982 for directing a drama series episode of Fame. He was also nominated for multiple Emmy Awards, including an episode of The Waltons (1972) and a daytime Emmy for directing the school special Have You Ever Been Ashamed of Your Parents?. Throughout his illustrious career, Harry directed hundreds of television episodes for popular shows such as Rawhide (1959),Gunsmoke (1955),Bonanza (1959),The Virginian (1962),Kung Fu (1972),Lost in Space (1965),Hawaii Five-O (1968),Falcon Crest (1981),and Eight Is Enough (1977).
Harry is survived by his loving wife, Patty; his two daughters, Joanne, a talented hairstylist, and Suzanne; and his stepson, Michael Daruty, a high-ranking executive at NBC Universal.
