Harry Harris

Biography

Who is Harry Harris?

It’s a bit difficult for me to write about myself without feeling superficial; nevertheless, for what it’s worth, here is a thumbnail account of how I went from being a successful actor to becoming an unsuccessful Standup Comedian, to what makes me tick these days, a writer. Be that as it may, I believe the best way to begin telling you about me, is to explain what happened the first day I reported for duty as a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War ll:

“Are you being a wise guy?” the sergeant said testily. “No Sir,” I answered timidly, “that’s my real name, and it’s not the first time I’m being questioned about it; I’m Harrisios Harrisiadis.” When it was obvious that the sergeant didn’t believe me I added quickly, “My parents are from Greece, they immigrated to the U.S. and settled in Nashua, New Hampshire where I was born. Incidentally, sergeant, a Greek name, at least to us Greeks, is not only beautiful but interesting as well for it’s not only used as an appellation to distinguish one person from another, but it also designates something special about a person. For example, my first name, Harrisios, in Greek translates to ‘Happy’ in English, and my surname, Harrisiadis, to ‘Freedom’. My father’s first name, Philipos, to ‘Fiend of Horse,’ and my mother’s first name, Sophia, to ‘Wisdom’. So you can say that I was raised by a Horse Fancier and a remarkably Wise Woman who together taught me to always live up to my name, Happy Freedom. Parenthetically, the sergeant’s reaction was one for the books.
In any event, when I returned to the United States after fighting the Nazis in Africa, Sicily and Italy, and had received an honorable discharge for my service in the Army, I took advantage of the GI Bill, which enabled me to get a good education at the Government’s expense. I attended several Drama Schools, including a special course in Acting and Television Production and Directing at Columbia University in New York City, and then I went looking for employment as an actor in that sphere of work. The first thing I came to terms with as an actor was that I was no longer being addressed by my Greek name but by one that my agent felt would be more helpful in getting me work: My beautiful Greek name was cut practically in half and I became known in Show Business as Harry Harris. With that name in tow I managed to learn my work as an actor well by being in more than 200 stage productions throughout the country, and although most of them were touring companies and Summer Stocks, they helped me to gain the stature as an actor that I needed. In any case, I then ventured into the Television Arena and got my own show called “Here’s Harris”, on an ABC affiliate station in Pennsylvania. It was a show that featured my ‘personality’, and not my acting ability, so after several years with the burning desire to act still in my veins, I left the TV show and went to Hollywood to get into films. As luck would have it, and luck is paramount in Show Business if one is to be successful, two members from the Swedish Film Industry were in Hollywood looking for an American actor to play the villain in a Swedish cowboy film. Yes, you read correctly, a Swedish COWBOY film. Nevertheless, after being auditioned and getting the part I was flown to Sweden where the motion picture, “Wild West Story,” starring Sweden’s beloved actor, Carl Glustav Lindstedt, was made into a movie. Although the film wasn’t a huge success, acting as rough and tumble cowboys is not what Swedish actors do best, it, nevertheless, gave my acting career a tremendous boost; it enabled me to get work as an actor throughout Europe. During those years I managed to get a Best Foreign Actor’s Award in Italy and the lead in one of Australia’s most popular TV shows, “Number 96.” Unfortunately, it was at that time that I began to suffer with neuropathy and since I couldn’t walk properly my acting days took their final bow. I returned to the United States thinking I would retire gracefully only to realize that I was at odds with myself; that retirement was not for me. So, using a ‘walker’ I began working as a Standup Comedian. Several years later, feeling I had enough experience in life to write a book or two, I began my career as an Author and Playwright. And in the twenty-five years that followed I’ve done nothing but write, write, write, and I’ve loved every minutes of it. Since I didn’t want my readers to have trouble remembering my name, I didn’t use my Greek name but wrote under the appellation, Harry Harris. Be that as it may, since the people that have read my novels seem to enjoy them, I’m still at it 24/7. So, now you know something about me and I trust I haven’t been too, how shall I put it, superficial?

Smashwords Interview

From your Bio we learned that your parents immigrated to the United States from Greece, but that you were born here in the United States. Did you have any trouble becoming assimilated to this country?”
Yes, a great deal; it wasn’t easy.
Greek immigrants, being ethnocentric, settled in Greek communities when they arrived here so I wasn’t exposed to anything ‘American’ until I was five years old. I only mingled with Greeks during that time.
Yes, a great deal; it wasn’t easy.
Yes, and I longed to mingle with American children but it didn’t work out as well as I had hoped: I was shunned by the children in those classes because their parents forbad them to speak to foreign ‘Grease-balls’ as we Greeks were referred to in those days.
Read more of this interview.

Books

The Philanthropist
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 46,080. Language: English. Published: May 9, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
There are times, as you will read in this story that ‘Demitri’, who is Theodore Thermos’ ALTER EGO, although maintaining friendly relations with him, purposely gives him advice that eventually involves him in murder.
The Stiff
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 20,930. Language: English. Published: May 9, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
The story of three women celebrating their sixtieth birthdays. And the un usual birthday gift that Ruth and Ann decided to give to Mary, which, unbelievably, ended the lives of six loving friends.
And Hereby Hangs a Tale of Murder
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 96,420. Language: English. Published: May 4, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
The story of one man's evil that has a horrible affect on two families. As fate would have it, in the end he pays for his greed and for the intolerable way he treats people.
Till Death Do Us Part
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 83,480. Language: English. Published: April 24, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Tommy Lee manages to successfully steal a great deal of money from the President of the Southern Bank of Macon, only to realize that what he has stolen is money that the bank is ‘laundering’ for the Mexican Drug Cartel and the American Mafia organization. Realizing his mistake and fearing for his life, he reluctantly leaves the City after giving the money to his girlfriend.
The Purple Rose Murders
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 84,040. Language: English. Published: April 5, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Spies & espionage
The Purple Rose Murders’ is the story of how the diabolical plan to kill the President of the United States is formulated, step-by-step, by the leaders of the Taliban and precisely how they intend to execute it. However, whether their blueprint of action will be successful or not the author has left it up to the reader to decide.
The Link
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 68,800. Language: English. Published: April 3, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Jeff Conradi couldn’t believe that the advice he was dispensing to people via his popular, nationalized television program, ‘Counsel by Conradi’, which emanated in Mesa, Arizona, was responsible for the murders that were taking place in Los Angeles, California.Yet there was proof that, that was the case.
To Whomever It May Concern
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 85,120. Language: English. Published: March 29, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Comedians Vic Myers and Mark O'Brian were on top of the world. Their comedy act was considered one of the funniest in Show Business. when Vic Myers unexpectedly discovered that Mark O'Brian had lied to him, he decided to find a way of launching him into eternity without sacrificing his freedom. He was certain that if he put his mind to it he could concoct just such a plan.
Whom Could We Tell? Who Would Believe Us?
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 43,880. Language: English. Published: March 29, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » General
Strange incidents Have the people in York, North Dakota believing they’ve been inundated by strangers from another planet, and it’s only at the end of a long series of remarkable events that they ultimately ‘see’, what they had only surmised, materialize and become real.
The Killer was a Lady
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 79,520. Language: English. Published: March 28, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
What makes a marriage that had been made in Heaven twenty years ago, fail…and ends, not in a divorce but with the wife killing her husband? In The Lady was a Killer we learn the answer:
Murder, Mayhem, and Tarot Cards
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 69,830. Language: English. Published: March 20, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
There is an unassailable, wall-encircled, ultra-luxurious housing compound located in the center of Scottsdale, Arizona. The average individual could never fathom that such a place exists let alone that a murder had been committed there. But that was exactly what took place at that enchanting compound…and it happened one evening during a winsome masquerade ball.
Lori Wegner
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 79,020. Language: English. Published: March 20, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Dr. Ostenburgh has a disgusting, evil, dark side to his mental constitution: a sexual penchant to have sex with attractive young girls under the age of five. One of the doctor’s victims, Lori Wegner, who was molested by the doctor when she was a child, manages to get even with him when she grows up.
The Yuck Factor
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 27,360. Language: English. Published: March 20, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Animals » Pets & domestic animals
Animals are now being created with human brain cells! In The Yuck Factor we learn what can happen when over-zealous scientists attempt to humanize animals.
The Coward's Weapon: Poison
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 52,470. Language: English. Published: March 13, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Spies & espionage
A diabolical story of terrorists and their attempt to poison New York City’s food and water supply.
The Penis Monologues
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 42,040. Language: English. Published: March 13, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Humor & comedy » Parody
This is a HUMOROUS account of the grandeur of man's PENIS, and why it is envied by women throughout the world.
Karma
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 90,020. Language: English. Published: March 10, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
The situation that confronts our protagonists in the story that follows is their hapless association with their ALTER EGO and their KARMA. The alter ego that inveigles them into a life of crime, and Karma that makes them pay for it.
Bosco
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 19,220. Language: English. Published: March 8, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Action & Adventure / Survival Stories
Bosco was sent to Earth, by the Board of Directors that govern the Moon, to confer with the President of the United States concerning the Moon’s security. The Lunarians were worried that Earth’s exploration in space would eventually cause trouble for them. While Bosco is returning to the Moon after successfully completing his mission, he crashes his ship.
The Pickle Ball Murders
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 47,800. Language: English. Published: March 6, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Every time one of the players loses a match they take out their frustration on their spouses and then what we have is another case of domestic violence on our hands. That stupid game should be outlawed in this country because one of these days some idiotic Pickle Ball player is going to murder his opponent.
Getting Even
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 68,560. Language: English. Published: March 5, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
This pithy aphorism was found engraved in stone in a monastery in Ioannina, Greece in the year 1287 B.C.: ‘BAD things happen to GOOD people. And GOOD things happen to BAD people. But what happens when BAD things happen to BAD people?’ THEY GET EVEN. In the story that follows that’s exactly what takes place
The Pajara
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 119,710. Language: English. Published: March 5, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Women's fiction » General
This is the tragic love story of a very passionate young woman making her way in the world.
The House Next Door
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 134,200. Language: English. Published: February 23, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
When you move into a new house you never know who your next door neighbors is going to be. In this story, the person next door becomes a person of interest in a murder case.
Murder in Greenfield Glen
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 69,780. Language: English. Published: February 22, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Working on two different murder cases, several years apart, it was impossible for Det. Emery to imagine that there was an underlying diabolical theme running through both of them that would inexorably connect them and become a motive for murder. This is the story of those two cases and the abominable murders that ensued in Greenfield Glen, a senior citizen’s compound in Mesa, Arizona.
The Love Story of Sami One Eye and Mr. Bigfoot2
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 16,930. Language: English. Published: February 17, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Animals » Pets & domestic animals, Fiction » Children’s books » Animals » Pets & domestic animals
A love story between two cats who survive trials and tribulations and prove that cats do fall in love.