Lily Tomlin - Actor Profile

Lily Tomlin

Acting
Freshness: Jan 21, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Sep 1, 1939
Birth Place: Detroit, Michigan, USA

About Lily Tomlin

Mary Jean "Lily" Tomlin (born September 1, 1939) is an American actress, comedian, writer and producer. She has won multiple awards from many quarters, including Tony Awards, Emmy Awards, and a Grammy Award and has also been nominated for an Academy Award.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Lily Tomlin 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: Comedy

The majority of Lily Tomlin's filmography leans towards the Comedy 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 78% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Lily Tomlin remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in But... Seriously, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Lily Tomlin Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Lily Tomlin's career based on audience ratings.

★10.0
But... Seriously (1994) movie poster
★10.0

But... Seriously: A documentary juxtaposing the events of the 20th century with the commentary of stand-up comedians.

But... Seriously

1994•Documentary
★10.0
Still Working 9 to 5 (2022) movie poster
★10.0

Still Working 9 to 5: Examines the 40-year evolution of gender inequality and discrimination in the workplace since the 1980 release of the co

Still Working 9 to 5

2022•Documentary
★9.3
Free to Be... a Family (1988) movie poster
★9.3

Free to Be... a Family: Seminal TV special about two groups of children, one in New York City and the other in Moscow, who befriend each other o

Free to Be... a Family

1988•Comedy
★9.0
Appearing Nitely (1979) movie poster
★9.0

Appearing Nitely: Lily Tomlin's Tony Award-winning show "Appearing Nitely" features a repertoire of over 20 zany characters--from Edith An

Appearing Nitely

1979•Comedy
★8.4
Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love (2023) movie poster
★8.4

Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love: Paying tribute to a beloved national icon for her birthday, NBC celebrates Carol Burnett’s illustrious career with a sta

Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love

2023•Comedy

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Lily Tomlin.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2025 Janis Ian: Breaking Silence Self Super Hit Similar →
2023 Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love Self - Guest Super Hit Similar →
2023 80 for Brady Lou Average Similar →
2022 Still Working 9 to 5 Self Super Hit Similar →
2022 The Martha Mitchell Effect Self (archive footage) (uncredited) Average Similar →
2020 One World: Together at Home Self Hit Similar →
2019 Dolly Parton: Here I Am Self Hit Similar →
2019 I Am Richard Pryor Self - Actress and Comedian Hit Similar →
2018 Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Aunt May (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2018 Feminists: What Were They Thinking? Self Super Hit Similar →
2018 Jane Fonda in Five Acts Self - (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2015 Grandma Elle Hit Similar →
2014 Altman Self Hit Similar →
2013 Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic Self Hit Similar →
2013 An Apology to Elephants Narrator Super Hit Similar →
2013 Why We Laugh: Funny Women Self Hit Similar →
2013 Inequality for All Violet Newstead (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2012 The Procession Jason's mom Hit Similar →
2011 Vito Self Hit Similar →
2006 A Prairie Home Companion Rhonda Johnson Average Similar →
2004 I ♥ Huckabees Vivian Jaffe Average Similar →
2004 Goodnight, We Love You Self Hit Similar →
2000 The Kid Janet Hit Similar →
1999 Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special Self Hit Similar →
1999 Tea with Mussolini Georgina "Georgie" Rockwell Average Similar →
1999 Get Bruce! Self Average Similar →
1997 Happy Birthday Elizabeth: A Celebration of Life Self Hit Similar →
1996 Flirting with Disaster Mary Schlichting Average Similar →
1996 The Celluloid Closet Narrator (voice) Hit Similar →
1995 Blue in the Face Waffle eater Hit Similar →
1994 Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever! Ernestine (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1994 But... Seriously Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
1993 The Beverly Hillbillies Miss Jane Hathaway Average Similar →
1993 Short Cuts Doreen Piggot Hit Similar →
1993 And the Band Played On Dr. Selma Dritz Average Similar →
1992 The Player Lily Tomlin Hit Similar →
1991 Shadows and Fog Prostitute Hit Similar →
1991 The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe Trudy the Bag Lady / Agnus Angst / Kate / Brandy / Tina / Chrissy / Lud / Marie / Vince / Edie / Lynn / Marge Super Hit Similar →
1988 Free to Be... a Family Self Super Hit Similar →
1988 Big Business Rose Ratliff / Rose Shelton Average Similar →
1986 The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1984 All of Me Edwina Cutwater Hit Similar →
1981 The Muppets Go to the Movies Herself Hit Similar →
1981 Lily: Sold Out Self / Various Characters Hit Similar →
1980 Nine to Five Violet Newstead Hit Similar →
1979 Appearing Nitely Self Super Hit Similar →
1977 The Paul Simon Special Self Super Hit Similar →
1977 The Late Show Margo Average Similar →
1975 Nashville Linnea Reese Hit Similar →
1972 Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers Telephone Voice (voice) (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →

Lily Tomlin - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Lily Tomlin?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Lily Tomlin is "But... Seriously" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Lily Tomlin acted in?

Lily Tomlin has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Lily Tomlin?

Other notable films include "Still Working 9 to 5", "Free to Be... a Family", and "Appearing Nitely".