Esther Howard
ActingAbout Esther Howard
Esther Howard (April 4, 1892 – March 8, 1965) was an American stage and film character actress who played a wide range of supporting roles, from man-hungry spinsters to amoral criminals, appearing in 108 films in her 23-year screen career. From 1940 to 1949, Howard was part of Preston Sturges' unofficial "stock company" of character actors, appearing in seven films written and directed by Sturges. From 1937, Howard was a regular player in short-subjects produced at Columbia Pictures, where she was frequently cast opposite comedian Andy Clyde. Her last film was a Columbia comedy short, Caught on the Bounce (1952), in which she played Joe Besser's aunt. From Wikipedia.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Esther Howard 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 Esther Howard'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 40% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Esther Howard remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Sullivan's Travels, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Esther Howard Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Esther Howard's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Esther Howard.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Caged | Grace (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | No Man of Her Own | Frowsy Woman in boardinghouse (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | Hellfire | Birdie | Average | Similar → |
| 1949 | The Lady Gambles | Gross Lady | Average | Similar → |
| 1949 | The Crooked Way | Hotel Proprietess (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1949 | Champion | Mrs. Kelly | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | Homicide | Mrs. Brucker, Landlady | Flop | Similar → |
| 1948 | June Bride | Mrs. Mitchell | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | The Velvet Touch | Pansy Dupont | Average | Similar → |
| 1947 | Song of the Thin Man | Sadie (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | Born to Kill | Mrs. Kraft | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | Dick Tracy vs. Cueball | Filthy Flora, Dripping Dagger Proprietor | Flop | Similar → |
| 1946 | Without Reservations | Sarah (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | The Virginian | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | A Letter for Evie | Mrs. Edgewaters | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Adventure | Woman with Mudgin in bar | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | Detour | Hedy | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | The Great Flamarion | Cleo | Average | Similar → |
| 1944 | Murder, My Sweet | Jesse Florian | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | The Big Noise | Aunt Sophie | Average | Similar → |
| 1944 | The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek | Sally (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | Hail the Conquering Hero | Mrs. Everett J. Noble (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | Idle Roomers | Hazel's Roommate (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | True to Life | Woman (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | I Married a Witch | Extra (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | The Palm Beach Story | Wife of Wienie King | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Jackass Mail | Dancehall Girl | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | My Favorite Blonde | Mrs. Topley | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | Sullivan's Travels | Miz Zeffie | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | San Francisco Docks | Jean-Beauty Shop owner | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | The Great McGinty | Madame Juliette La Jolla | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | The Gracie Allen Murder Case | Florist | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Broadway Serenade | Mrs. Fellows | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | Marie Antoinette | Streetwalker (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Stand-In | Mrs, Mack | Average | Similar → |
| 1937 | Dead End | Neighbor with Coarse Voice (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Rhythm in the Clouds | Mrs. Madigan | Flop | Similar → |
| 1936 | M'Liss | Rose | Flop | Similar → |
| 1936 | Florida Special | Flirtatious Dowager (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | Klondike Annie | Fanny Radler | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Stars Over Broadway | Mary Sporesgate | Flop | Similar → |
| 1935 | The Best Man Wins | Mamie | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Sweepings | Violet's Madame (Uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1933 | Below the Sea | Lily | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | The Iron Master | Mrs. Stillman | Flop | Similar → |
| 1932 | Life Begins | Mrs. Tubby’s Friend (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | Merrily We Go to Hell | Vi | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | A Fool's Advice | Mrs. Prescott | Average | Similar → |
| 1931 | Ladies of the Big House | Clara Newman | Average | Similar → |
| 1931 | The Vice Squad | Josie | Hit | Similar → |
Esther Howard - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Esther Howard?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Esther Howard is "Sullivan's Travels" with a rating of 7.4/10.
How many movies has Esther Howard acted in?
Esther Howard has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Esther Howard?
Other notable films include "Detour", "June Bride", and "Murder, My Sweet".