Harry Lauter is the epitome of a character actor. He had a long and varied career, was a familiar face in film and on TV but most don't know his name. He began in film in the late forties. Working mostly for Columbia Pictures, he appeared in such B films as Jungle Patrol (1948), Tuscan (1948), Apache Country (1952), and Marshall's Daughter (1953).

It was during this time that he came to Republic's attention. His first serial was as a thug who is hired by a Martian invader to help him commit acts of sabotage to soften up Earth for an invasion in Flying Disc Man From Mars (1951). His next serial was a bit part in Canadian Mounties vs. Atomic Invaders (1953) as a Mountie helping star Bill Henry track down foreign agents building a missile base in the wilds of Canada.

The following year Lauter began headlining serials. Trader Tom of the China Seas (1954) had Lauter playing a businessman/sailor being recruited by the United Nations to prevent a rebellion in the country of Bumatra being financed by foreign agents. He followed this up with another starring turn in Republic's final serial King of the Carnival (1955) as a circus trapeze artist recruited by the Secret Service to help track down a counterfeiting operation being run from a traveling carnival.

During this time Lauter began working in television. He had recurring roles in both Waterfront (1954) and Rocky Jones, Space Ranger (1954). But his biggest success was as a co-star of Tales of the Texas Rangers (1955-1959). Being a working actor, Lauter also found time to appear in films like Lord of the Jungle (1955), Creature With the Atom Brain (1955), Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1955), and The Werewolf (1955).

After his TV show finished it's run, Lauter split his time between film and TV guest appearances. He had small roles in Hellcats of the Navy (1957), It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963), The Satan Bug (1965), and Fort Utah (1967). On TV he was seen on Annie Oakley, Bonanza, Beverly Hillbillies, Gilligan's Island, Hogan's Heroes, and Mission I.M.P.O.S.S.I.B.L.E..

Lauter began slowing down in the seventies. After participating in Escape From the Planet of the Apes (1971) and Superbeast (1972) he retired from film to spend his time painting and to manage his art/antique gallery.