Madeline Kahn - Actor Profile

Madeline Kahn

Acting
Freshness: Jan 21, 2026
50Total Films
9.0 Highest Rated
Born: Sep 29, 1942
Birth Place: Chelsea, Massachusetts, USA

About Madeline Kahn

Madeline Gail Kahn (née Wolfson; September 29, 1942 – December 3, 1999) was an American actress, comedian and singer, known for comedic roles in films directed by Peter Bogdanovich and Mel Brooks, including What's Up, Doc? (1972), Young Frankenstein (1974), High Anxiety (1977), History of the World, Part I (1981), and her Academy Award–nominated roles in Paper Moon (1973) and Blazing Saddles (1974). Kahn made her Broadway debut in Leonard Sillman's New Faces of 1968, and received Tony Award nominations for the play In the Boom Boom Room in 1974 and for the original production of the musical On the Twentieth Century in 1978. She starred as Madeline Wayne on the short-lived sitcom Oh Madeline (1983–84) and won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1987 for an ABC Afterschool Special. She received a third Tony Award nomination for the revival of the play Born Yesterday in 1989, before winning the 1993 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for the comedy The Sisters Rosensweig. Her other film appearances included The Cheap Detective (1978), City Heat (1984), Clue (1985), and Nixon (1995).

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Madeline Kahn 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: Comedy

The majority of Madeline Kahn'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 40% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Madeline Kahn remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Madeline Kahn Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Madeline Kahn's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Madeline Kahn.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2022 Who Done It: The Clue Documentary Self (archive footage) (uncredited) Flop Similar →
2020 AGFA Mystery Mixtape #4: Follow Your Own Star Self Super Hit Similar →
2018 Mel Brooks: Unwrapped Self (archive footage) Average Similar →
2013 Mel Brooks: Make a Noise Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2009 Making History: Mel Brooks on Creating the World Self (archive footage) Flop Similar →
2009 Musical Mel: Inventing The Inquisition Self (archive footage) Flop Similar →
2007 The Pixar Story Gypsy (voice) (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2005 Saturday Night Live: The Best of Dan Aykroyd Pat Nixon (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2001 Back in the Saddle Self (archive footage) Average Similar →
1999 Judy Berlin Alice Gold Average Similar →
1998 A Bug's Life Gypsy Moth (voice) Hit Similar →
1996 London Suite Sharon Semple Flop Similar →
1996 Making Frankensense of Young Frankenstein Elizabeth (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
1995 Nixon Martha Mitchell Hit Similar →
1994 Mixed Nuts Blanche Munchnik Flop Similar →
1994 The World of Jim Henson Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1992 Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall Self Super Hit Similar →
1992 For Richer, for Poorer Billie Average Similar →
1991 They call me Lucky Luke - Ma Dalton Esperanza Flop Similar →
1990 Betsy's Wedding Lola Hopper Average Similar →
1990 Sesame Street: Sing Yourself Silly! Self (archive footage) Average Similar →
1988 Sesame Street: Put Down the Duckie Self Average Similar →
1987 Sesame Street: Sing Along Special Appearance Average Similar →
1986 An American Tail Gussie Mausheimer (voice) Hit Similar →
1986 My Little Pony: The Movie Draggle (voice) Average Similar →
1985 Clue Mrs. White Hit Similar →
1985 Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff Self Flop Similar →
1984 City Heat Caroline Howley Average Similar →
1983 Yellowbeard Betty Average Similar →
1982 Slapstick of Another Kind Eliza Swain / Lutetia Swain Flop Similar →
1981 All-Star Party for Burt Reynolds Self Average Similar →
1981 History of the World: Part I Empress Nympho Hit Similar →
1980 First Family Mrs. Link Flop Similar →
1980 Wholly Moses The Witch Flop Similar →
1980 Happy Birthday, Gemini Bunny Weinberger Flop Similar →
1980 Simon Dr. Cynthia Mallory Average Similar →
1979 The Muppet Movie El Sleezo Patron Hit Similar →
1978 The Cheap Detective Mrs. Montenegro Average Similar →
1977 High Anxiety Victoria Brisbane Hit Similar →
1976 Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood Estie Del Ruth Flop Similar →
1975 The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother Jenny Hill Average Similar →
1975 At Long Last Love Kitty O'Kelly (Kathy Krumm) Flop Similar →
1974 Young Frankenstein Elizabeth Super Hit Similar →
1974 Blazing Saddles Lili Von Shtupp Hit Similar →
1973 From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler Schoolteacher Hit Similar →
1973 Paper Moon Trixie Delight Super Hit Similar →
1972 Harvey Nurse Ruth Kelly Hit Similar →
1972 What's Up, Doc? Eunice Burns Hit Similar →
1972 Screwball Comedies... Remember Them? Self Flop Similar →
1968 The Dove Sigfried Average Similar →

Madeline Kahn - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Madeline Kahn?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Madeline Kahn is "Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall" with a rating of 9.0/10.

How many movies has Madeline Kahn acted in?

Madeline Kahn has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Madeline Kahn?

Other notable films include "Making Frankensense of Young Frankenstein", "Mel Brooks: Make a Noise", and "Saturday Night Live: The Best of Dan Aykroyd".