Bill Gunn - Actor Profile

Bill Gunn

Writing
Freshness: Jan 23, 2026
9Total Films
7.0 Highest Rated
Born: Jul 15, 1934
Birth Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

About Bill Gunn

Bill Gunn was an American playwright, novelist, actor and film director. His 1973 cult classic horror film Ganja and Hess was chosen as one of ten best American films of the decade at the Cannes Film Festival, 1973. In the New Yorker, film critic Richard Brody described him as being “a visionary filmmaker left on the sidelines of the most ostensibly liberated period of American filmmaking.” His drama Johnnas won an Emmy award in 1972.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Bill Gunn reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 9 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Bill Gunn's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 22% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Bill Gunn remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Personal Problems, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Bill Gunn Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Bill Gunn's career based on audience ratings.

★7.0
Personal Problems (1980) movie poster
★7.0

Personal Problems: An “experimental soap opera” centered on a Harlem nurse, her husband, her father-in-law, and her lover.

Personal Problems

1980•Drama
★6.6
The Sound and the Fury (1959) movie poster
★6.6

The Sound and the Fury: Drama focusing on a family of Southern aristocrats who are trying to deal with the dissolution of their clan and the los

The Sound and the Fury

1959•Drama
★6.1
Losing Ground (1982) movie poster
★6.1

Losing Ground: Sara, a cold college professor, and her husband, an ecstatic painter, spend a summer away from the city, straining their

Losing Ground

1982•Comedy
★5.8
Ganja & Hess (1973) movie poster
★5.8

Ganja & Hess: After being stabbed with an ancient, germ-infested knife, a doctor finds himself with an insatiable desire for blood.

Ganja & Hess

1973•Drama
★5.4
Penelope (1966) movie poster
★5.4

Penelope: When Penelope gets married to banker James Elcott, she finds him too preoccupied with work to pay much attention to her,

Penelope

1966•Comedy

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Bill Gunn.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1983 Montgomery Clift Self Flop Similar →
1982 Losing Ground Victor Average Similar →
1980 Personal Problems Mr. Damien Hit Similar →
1973 Ganja & Hess George Meda Average Similar →
1966 Penelope Sgt. Rothschild Flop Similar →
1965 The Spy with My Face Namana Flop Similar →
1962 The Interns Rosco Flop Similar →
1959 The Sound and the Fury T.P. Hit Similar →
1957 Crossroads Roy (uncredited) Flop Similar →

Bill Gunn - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Bill Gunn?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Bill Gunn is "Personal Problems" with a rating of 7.0/10.

How many movies has Bill Gunn acted in?

Bill Gunn has been featured in at least 9 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Bill Gunn?

Other notable films include "The Sound and the Fury", "Losing Ground", and "Ganja & Hess".