Harry Leon Wycoff was an American actor who appeared as Rufus Daggett in The Absent-Minded Professor and Son of Flubber and as Judge Holmby in The Misadventures of Merlin Jones, and The Monkey's Uncle.
Ames was born in Portland, Indiana and resided in Fowler. During World War I, Ames served in the field artillery of the U.S. Army and later in the flying corps (the Army Air Service). Ames' involvement with entertainment began when he worked as a stage manager for the Charles K. Champlin Theatre Company. He ventured into acting with the group and progressed to the lead in a production of Tomorrow and Tomorrow in Los Angeles before heading to Broadway in New York where he appeared in shows such as It Pays to Sin, Bright Honor, Howie, Slightly Married, The Russian People, Little Darling, Guest in the House, and The Land Is Bright.
Ames made his film debut in Quick Millions in 1931 which led to more appearances in films such as Meet Me in St. Louis, The Postman Always Rings Twice, On Moonlight Bay, By the Light of the Silvery Moon, Peyton Place, From the Terrace, Only Yesterday, The Thin Man Goes Home, Son of Lassie, Anchors Aweigh, Little Women (1949), On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, Tora! Tora! Tora!, and Peggy Sue Got Married. His television credits include Life with Father, Father of the Bride, Mister Ed, The Beverly Hillbillies, The Andy Griffith Show, My Three Sons, Bewitched, The Jeffersons, and Emergency!.
Ames was also a founder of the Screen Actors Guild in 1933, and he served as its president in 1957 to 1958. During the 1960s, Ames owned several Ford dealerships in California. On October 12, 1993, Ames died of complications after suffering a stroke.