Henry Travers was an English film and stage character actor. His most famous role was the guardian angel Clarence Odbody in the 1946 film classic Its a Wonderful Life. He also received an Academy Award nomination for his supporting role in Mrs. Miniver. Travers specialized in portraying slightly bumbling but friendly and lovable old men.
Travers was born Travers John Heagerty in Prudhoe, Northumberland, and was the son of Daniel Heagerty, a doctor. Travers grew up in BerwickuponTweed, and many biographies wrongly report him as being born there.
Source: Wikipedia