Who is Harry in Home Alone?

Last Modified Feb 17, 2025 01:48 EST
Who is Harry in Home Alone?
Harry in Home Alone (Source: Screengrab from the film)


Harry Lyme, portrayed by Joe Pesci, was one of the burglars in Home Alone.


The primary antagonists of the 1990 Christmas comedy Home Alone and its 1992 follow-up Home Alone 2: Lost in New York are Harold "Harry" Lyme and Marvin "Marv" Murchins, frequently referred to as the Wet Bandits and later the Sticky Bandits, or just Harry and Marv. Afterward, Marv makes a reappearance in Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House as one of the two secondary antagonists (with Vera).


Who is Harry in Home Alone?


Who is Harry in Home Alone?
Harry and Marv in Home Alone (Source: Screengrab from the film)


Harry is frequently the team's brains, although both bandits are dimwitted. He is skilled at infiltration and plans schemes. As demonstrated in the first film, he receives security information from the McCallister family while posing as a police officer. He has a short fuse, yet when the need arises, he remains composed. He frequently resorts to muttering curses and speaking incoherently when his rage flares up too much or when he is injured in the most excruciating way possible.


Even if he would rather negotiate his way out of problems, he has no issue using violence if he feels it is necessary or if he becomes sufficiently enraged. As demonstrated in the second film, he uses a gun to threaten Kevin. Even though he and Marv get along, he is seen to be brutally hostile to him because he doesn't care about Marv's foolishness or when Marv tells the police anything.


Harry is shown as a more professional burglar than Marv, planning the robberies, caging the buildings, and making decisions. Since he is 'the brains', he does a little of the robbing himself and lets Marv do the leg work, but will get his hands filthy when needed, like during the toy store heist. Although he makes an effort to maintain a more understated and low-key personality than Marv, he is not much quieter than Marv, content to wreak havoc and steal goods or cash as soon as possible.


Who plays Harry in Home Alone?


Who is Harry in Home Alone?
Joe Pesci as Harry Lyme (Source: Screengrab from the film)


The American actor Joseph Frank Pesci, better known as Joe Pesci plays Harry Lyme, one of the robbers in Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992).


He is famous for his work with Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro in the films Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Casino, and The Irishman, as well as for his portrayal of tough, volatile characters in several genres. He has won multiple honors, including the Academy Award and the BAFTA Award, and he has been nominated for three Golden Globes.


Also read: Cast of Home Alone films

FAQs about Home Alone

A. The American filmmaker Chris Columbus directed Home Alone.

A. Harry and Marv are the main antagonists in Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992). Together, they are known as the Wet Bandits.

A. Home Alone is available to stream on Disney Plus.

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