Brian Keith
ActingAbout Brian Keith
Brian Keith (November 14, 1921 – June 24, 1997) was an American film, television, and stage actor who in his four decade-long career gained recognition for his work in movies such as the 1961 Disney family film The Parent Trap, the 1966 comedy The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming, and the 1975 adventure saga The Wind and the Lion, in which he portrayed Theodore Roosevelt. On television, two of his best known roles were that of a widowed uncle turned bachelor: Bill Davis, in the 1960s sitcom Family Affair, and a tough judge in the 1980s drama Hardcastle and McCormick.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Brian Keith reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Brian Keith'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 44% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Brian Keith remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Quest, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Brian Keith Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Brian Keith's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Brian Keith.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Sam Peckinpah's West: Legacy of a Hollywood Renegade | Self (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1997 | The Second Civil War | General Buford | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | The Return of Hunter: Everyone Walks in L.A. | Pete Morgan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Walking Thunder | Narrator | Average | Similar → |
| 1993 | Wind Dancer | Truman Richards | Hit | Similar → |
| 1989 | Perry Mason: The Case of the Lethal Lesson | Frank Wellman Sr. | Hit | Similar → |
| 1988 | Young Guns | Buckshot Roberts | Hit | Similar → |
| 1987 | The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory | Colonel Davy Crockett | Average | Similar → |
| 1986 | All Star Party for Clint Eastwood | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1982 | Cry for the Strangers | Chief Whalen | Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | Sharky's Machine | Papa | Average | Similar → |
| 1981 | All-Star Party for Burt Reynolds | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1980 | The Mountain Men | Henry Frapp | Average | Similar → |
| 1978 | Hooper | Jocko Doyle | Average | Similar → |
| 1977 | In the Matter of Karen Ann Quinlan | Joe Quinlan | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | Nickelodeon | H.H. Cobb | Average | Similar → |
| 1976 | The Loneliest Runner | Arnold Curtis | Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | The Quest | Tank Logan | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1975 | The Wind and the Lion | Theodore Roosevelt | Hit | Similar → |
| 1974 | The Yakuza | George Tanner | Hit | Similar → |
| 1972 | Second Chance | Geoff Smith | Hit | Similar → |
| 1971 | Scandalous John | John McCanless | Average | Similar → |
| 1970 | The McKenzie Break | Captain Jack Connor | Average | Similar → |
| 1969 | Krakatoa, East of Java | Connerly | Average | Similar → |
| 1968 | With Six You Get Eggroll | Jake Iverson | Average | Similar → |
| 1967 | Reflections in a Golden Eye | Lt. Col. Morris Langdon | Average | Similar → |
| 1966 | Nevada Smith | Jonas Cord | Hit | Similar → |
| 1966 | The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! | Police Chief Link Mattocks | Average | Similar → |
| 1966 | The Rare Breed | Alexander Bowen | Average | Similar → |
| 1965 | Johnny Shiloh | Sgt. Gabe Trotter | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1965 | The Hallelujah Trail | Frank Wallingham | Average | Similar → |
| 1964 | Those Calloways | Cam Calloway | Average | Similar → |
| 1961 | The Parent Trap | Mitch Evers | Hit | Similar → |
| 1960 | Ten Who Dared | William Dunn | Average | Similar → |
| 1959 | The Young Philadelphians | Mike Flanagan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1958 | Violent Road | Mitch Barton | Average | Similar → |
| 1958 | Fort Dobbs | Clett | Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | Run of the Arrow | Captain Clark | Average | Similar → |
| 1957 | Dino | Larry Sheridan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1956 | Nightfall | John | Hit | Similar → |
| 1956 | Storm Center | Paul Duncan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | 5 Against the House | Brick | Average | Similar → |
| 1955 | Tight Spot | Vince Striker | Average | Similar → |
| 1955 | The Violent Men | Cole Wilkison | Average | Similar → |
| 1954 | The Bamboo Prison | Cpl. Brady | Average | Similar → |
| 1954 | Alaska Seas | Jim Kimmerly | Average | Similar → |
| 1953 | Arrowhead | Capt. Bill North | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | Fourteen Hours | Extra (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | Boomerang! | Man in Mob Behind Courthouse (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Knute Rockne All American | Student at Train Station (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
Brian Keith - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Brian Keith?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Brian Keith is "The Quest" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Brian Keith acted in?
Brian Keith has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Brian Keith?
Other notable films include "In the Matter of Karen Ann Quinlan", "Sam Peckinpah's West: Legacy of a Hollywood Renegade", and "Johnny Shiloh".