Eli Wallach - Actor Profile

Eli Wallach

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Dec 7, 1915
Birth Place: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

About Eli Wallach

Eli Herschel Wallach (December 7, 1915 – June 24, 2014) was an American film, television and stage actor, who gained fame in the late 1950s. For his performance in Baby Doll he won a BAFTA Award for Best Newcomer and a Golden Globe nomination. One of his most famous roles is that of Tuco in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966). Other roles include his portrayal of Don Altobello in The Godfather Part III, Calvera in The Magnificent Seven, and Arthur Abbott in The Holiday. Wallach has received BAFTA Awards, Tony Awards and Emmy Awards for his work. Wallach also has a cameo as a liquor store owner in Clint Eastwood's Mystic River. Wallach received an Honorary Academy Award at the 2nd Annual Governors Awards, presented on November 13, 2010.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Eli Wallach reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Documentary

The majority of Eli Wallach's filmography leans towards the Documentary 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 90% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Eli Wallach remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Paradise Lost, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Eli Wallach Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Eli Wallach's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Eli Wallach.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2022 Rat Pack Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2015 The Train Andre Hit Similar →
2014 Showing Up Self Super Hit Similar →
2010 Ahead of Time: The Extraordinary Journey of Ruth Gruber Mordechai Rossman (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2010 The Ghost Writer Old man Hit Similar →
2007 Brando Self Hit Similar →
2006 The Holiday Arthur Abbott Hit Similar →
2006 Sergio Leone: The Way I See Things Self Super Hit Similar →
2005 The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Conversation Father Average Similar →
2004 Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson Other Voices (voice) Hit Similar →
2004 Leone's West Self Hit Similar →
2003 Mystic River Mr. Loonie (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
2003 Horatio's Drive: America's First Road Trip Other Voices (voice) Hit Similar →
2003 Rita Self Super Hit Similar →
2003 Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There Self Hit Similar →
2002 Cinerama Adventure Self Super Hit Similar →
2000 Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows Self Hit Similar →
2000 Guns for Hire: The Making of 'The Magnificent Seven' Self Hit Similar →
1997 Twentieth Century Fox: The First 50 Years Self Hit Similar →
1996 The Associate Donald Fallon Average Similar →
1996 The Search for Dracula Narrator Super Hit Similar →
1995 Yul Brynner: The Man Who Was King Self Super Hit Similar →
1994 It's Alive: The True Story of Frankenstein Narrator Super Hit Similar →
1994 Marilyn Monroe: The Mortal Goddess Self Hit Similar →
1994 The Man Who Drew Bug-Eyed Monsters Self - Narrator (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1992 Lincoln William Crook (voice) Hit Similar →
1992 The Donner Party voice Hit Similar →
1990 The Godfather Part III Don Altobello Hit Similar →
1990 The Godfather Family: A Look Inside Self / Don Altobello Super Hit Similar →
1988 Hello Actors Studio Self Hit Similar →
1987 Nuts Dr. Herbert A. Morrison Average Similar →
1978 Girlfriends Rabbi Gold Hit Similar →
1974 Crazy Joe Don Vittorio Average Similar →
1973 Cinderella Liberty Lynn Forshay Hit Similar →
1971 Paradise Lost Leo Gordon Super Hit Similar →
1970 Zig Zag Mario Gambretti Super Hit Similar →
1969 Mackenna's Gold Ben Baker Hit Similar →
1969 The Brain Frankie Scannapieco, godfather of the Italian mafia Hit Similar →
1968 Ace High Cacopoulos Hit Similar →
1966 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Tuco Ramirez Super Hit Similar →
1966 How to Steal a Million Davis Leland Super Hit Similar →
1965 Lord Jim The General Hit Similar →
1964 Kisses for My President Raphael Valdez Jr. Hit Similar →
1963 The Victors Sgt. Craig Average Similar →
1962 How the West Was Won Charlie Gant Hit Similar →
1961 The Misfits Guido Hit Similar →
1960 The Magnificent Seven Calvera Super Hit Similar →
1960 Seven Thieves Poncho Hit Similar →
1958 The Lineup Dancer Hit Similar →
1956 Baby Doll Silva Vacarro Hit Similar →

Eli Wallach - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Eli Wallach?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Eli Wallach is "Paradise Lost" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Eli Wallach acted in?

Eli Wallach has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Eli Wallach?

Other notable films include "Sergio Leone: The Way I See Things", "Showing Up", and "Rat Pack".