
Norman Fell
ActingAbout Norman Fell
Norman Fell (born Norman Noah Feld; March 24, 1924 – December 14, 1998) was an American actor of film and television. He is most famous for his role as landlord Mr. Roper on the sitcom Three's Company and its spin-off, The Ropers. His film credits include Ocean's 11 (1960), The Graduate (1967), and Bullitt (1968). Early in his career, he was billed as Norman Feld. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1924, Fell graduated from Temple University with a bachelor's degree in drama. During World War II, he was an Air Force tail gunner in the Pacific. After the war, he studied acting and obtained small parts in television and on stage. His first regular TV appearance was in the comedy series Joe & Mabel (1956). Fell died in 1998 at the Motion Picture and Television Fund's retirement home in Woodland Hills CA, aged 74, survived by two daughters.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Norman Fell 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 Norman Fell'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 30% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Norman Fell remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Heist, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Norman Fell Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Norman Fell's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Norman Fell.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Underground Entertainment: The Movie | Norman (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Family Reunion: A Relative Nightmare | Grandpa Joe Dooley | Flop | Similar → |
| 1993 | Hexed | Herschel Levine | Flop | Similar → |
| 1991 | For the Boys | Sam Schiff | Average | Similar → |
| 1991 | The Boneyard | Shepard | Average | Similar → |
| 1991 | With Friends Like These... | Narrator (voice) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1991 | You're Driving Me Crazy | Doctor 'F' | Flop | Similar → |
| 1989 | C.H.U.D. II: Bud the Chud | Tyler | Flop | Similar → |
| 1987 | Stripped to Kill | Ray | Flop | Similar → |
| 1985 | Transylvania 6-5000 | Mac Turner | Flop | Similar → |
| 1984 | The Jesse Owens Story | Marty Forkins | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | Paternity | Larry | Flop | Similar → |
| 1981 | On the Right Track | The Mayor | Flop | Similar → |
| 1980 | For the Love of It | Hall | Flop | Similar → |
| 1980 | This Year's Blonde | Pat Toledo | Average | Similar → |
| 1980 | Dan August: Once Is Never Enough | Sgt. Charles Wilentz | Flop | Similar → |
| 1978 | The End | Dr. Samuel Krugman | Average | Similar → |
| 1978 | Rabbit Test | Segoynia's Father | Flop | Similar → |
| 1976 | Guardian of the Wilderness | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1976 | Richie Brockelman: The Missing 24 Hours | Mr. Brockelman | Average | Similar → |
| 1975 | Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold | Stanly Nagel | Average | Similar → |
| 1975 | Death Stalk | Frank Cody | Average | Similar → |
| 1974 | Airport 1975 | Bill | Average | Similar → |
| 1974 | Thursday's Game | Melvin Leonard | Average | Similar → |
| 1973 | Charley Varrick | Mr. Garfinkle | Hit | Similar → |
| 1973 | The Stone Killer | Les Daniels | Average | Similar → |
| 1972 | The Heist | Pat Dillon | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1970 | The Boatniks | Max | Flop | Similar → |
| 1970 | Catch-22 | First Sgt. Towser | Hit | Similar → |
| 1969 | Three's a Crowd | Norman, the Elevator Operator | Average | Similar → |
| 1969 | If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium | Harve Blakely | Average | Similar → |
| 1968 | Bullitt | Captain Baker | Hit | Similar → |
| 1968 | The Young Runaways | Mr. Donford | Average | Similar → |
| 1968 | The Secret War of Harry Frigg | Captain Stanley | Average | Similar → |
| 1968 | Sergeant Ryker | Sgt. Max Winkler | Average | Similar → |
| 1967 | The Graduate | Mr. McCleery | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1967 | Fitzwilly | Oberblatz | Average | Similar → |
| 1967 | The Young Warriors | Sgt. Wadley | Average | Similar → |
| 1965 | Quick, Before It Melts | George Snell | Flop | Similar → |
| 1964 | The Hanged Man | Gaylord Grebb | Flop | Similar → |
| 1964 | The Killers | Mickey Farmer | Hit | Similar → |
| 1963 | It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World | Detective at Grogan's Crash Site | Hit | Similar → |
| 1963 | PT 109 | Edmund Drewitch | Average | Similar → |
| 1960 | Ocean's Eleven | Peter Rheimer | Average | Similar → |
| 1960 | The Rat Race | Telephone Repairman | Hit | Similar → |
| 1960 | Inherit the Wind | WGN Radio Technician | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1959 | What Makes Sammy Run? | Sammy's Brother | Hit | Similar → |
| 1959 | Pork Chop Hill | S/Sgt. Coleman | Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | The Violators | Ray | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | Twelve Angry Men | Juror #1 / Foreman | Super Hit | Similar → |
Norman Fell - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Norman Fell?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Norman Fell is "The Heist" with a rating of 8.0/10.
How many movies has Norman Fell acted in?
Norman Fell has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Norman Fell?
Other notable films include "The Violators", "The Jesse Owens Story", and "Twelve Angry Men".




