Samuel Southey Hinds (New York, April 4, 1875 – Pasadena, October 13, 1948) was an American actor. His film career had an atypical start: a successful lawyer for over thirty years, he lost most of his fortune in the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and decided to take up acting, beginning at the Pasadena Playhouse. He soon became a prolific character actor, specializing in roles as authoritative and fatherly figures such as judges, bankers, or mayors. In his extensive filmography of over 200 films, his collaborations with director Frank Capra stand out in classics such as "You Can't Take It with You" (1938) and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (1939). His most celebrated role, however, remains that of Peter Bailey, the father of the protagonist George, in the timeless classic "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946). Although he did not receive any major awards, his contribution to cinema is evidenced by his constant presence in the most significant productions of the era, which made him one of the most familiar and recognizable faces of classic Hollywood.