Margaret Sullavan - Actor Profile

Margaret Sullavan

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
18Total Films
8.1 Highest Rated
Born: May 16, 1909
Birth Place: Norfolk, Virginia, USA

About Margaret Sullavan

Margaret Brooke Sullavan (May 16, 1909 – January 1, 1960) was an American actress. Sullavan started her career on the stage in 1929. In 1933 she caught the attention of movie director John M. Stahl and had her debut on the screen that same year in Only Yesterday. Margaret Sullavan preferred working on the stage and did only 16 movies. She retired from the screen in the early forties, but returned in 1950 to make her last movie, No Sad Songs For Me (1950), in which she plays a woman who is dying of cancer. For the rest of her career she would only appear on the stage. Sullavan was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Three Comrades (1938). She died of an overdose of barbiturates on January 1, New Year's Day, 1960, at the age of 50. Description above from the Wikipedia article Margaret Sullavan, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Margaret Sullavan reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 18 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Margaret Sullavan'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 56% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Margaret Sullavan remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Shop Around the Corner, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Margaret Sullavan Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Margaret Sullavan's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Margaret Sullavan.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1987 James Stewart: A Wonderful Life Self (archive footage) Average Similar →
1950 No Sad Songs for Me Mary Scott Average Similar →
1943 Cry 'Havoc' Lieutenant Smith Average Similar →
1942 Joan Crawford's Home Movies Self Flop Similar →
1941 Appointment for Love Jane Alexander Flop Similar →
1941 So Ends Our Night Ruth Holland Average Similar →
1941 Back Street Ray Smith Hit Similar →
1940 The Mortal Storm Freya Roth Hit Similar →
1940 The Shop Around the Corner Klara Novak Super Hit Similar →
1938 The Shining Hour Judy Linden Hit Similar →
1938 The Shopworn Angel Daisy Heath Hit Similar →
1938 Three Comrades Patricia Hollmann Hit Similar →
1936 The Moon's Our Home Cherry Chester / Sarah Brown Hit Similar →
1936 Next Time We Love Cicely Hunt Tyler Average Similar →
1935 So Red the Rose Valette Bedford Hit Similar →
1935 The Good Fairy Luisa Hit Similar →
1934 Little Man, What Now? Lammchen Average Similar →
1933 Only Yesterday Mary Lane Hit Similar →

Margaret Sullavan - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Margaret Sullavan?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Margaret Sullavan is "The Shop Around the Corner" with a rating of 8.1/10.

How many movies has Margaret Sullavan acted in?

Margaret Sullavan has been featured in at least 18 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Margaret Sullavan?

Other notable films include "The Mortal Storm", "Three Comrades", and "Back Street".