Mel Stuart - Actor Profile

Mel Stuart

Directing
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
1Total Films
6.7 Highest Rated
Born: Sep 2, 1928
Birth Place: New York City, New York, USA

About Mel Stuart

Mel Stuart (born Stuart Solomon; September 2, 1928 – August 9, 2012) was an American film director and producer who often worked with producer David L. Wolper, at whose production firm he worked for 17 years, before going freelance. Stuart directed the fantasy-musical Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971). He has directed other features, including If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium (1969), One Is a Lonely Number (1974) and Running on the Sun: The Badwater 135 (2000). Stuart also directed feature documentaries including Four Days in November and Wattstax. In addition he has directed or produced over 150 films including movies of the week, The Triangle Factory Fire, Bill, The Chisholms, and Ruby and Oswald, the television series Ripley's Believe it Not, and the documentaries The Making of the President 1960, 1964, and 1968, The Hobart Shakespeareans, Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, Man Ray - The Prophet of the Avant-Garde, George Plimpton and the Philharmonic and The Poet's View. He has been awarded four Emmy awards, an Academy Award nomination, a Peabody and numerous other awards. He served as president of the International Documentary Association for two years. He was related to TV producer David L. Wolper. Description above from the Wikipedia article Mel Stuart, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Mel Stuart reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 1 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Documentary

The majority of Mel Stuart'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 100% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Mel Stuart remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Pure Imagination: The Story of 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory', which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Mel Stuart Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Mel Stuart's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Mel Stuart.

Mel Stuart - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Mel Stuart?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Mel Stuart is "Pure Imagination: The Story of 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory'" with a rating of 6.7/10.

How many movies has Mel Stuart acted in?

Mel Stuart has been featured in at least 1 major films throughout their career.