Phyllis Coates - Actor Profile

Phyllis Coates

Acting
Freshness: Jan 21, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Jan 15, 1927
Birth Place: Wichita Falls, Texas, USA

About Phyllis Coates

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Phyllis Coates (born Gypsie Ann Evarts Stell; January 15, 1927) was an American actress best known for her portrayal of reporter Lois Lane in the 1951 film Superman and the Mole-Men and in the first season of the television series Adventures of Superman. Coates signed a movie contract with Warner Bros. extending from 1948 to 1956. She co-starred with George O'Hanlon as the title character's wife in the studio's Joe McDoakes short-subject comedies. She acted in film serials including Jungle Drums of Africa (1953), Gunfighters of the Northwest (1953), and Panther Girl of the Kongo (1955). Her film career also included roles in Girls in Prison (1956), I Was a Teenage Frankenstein (1957), Blood Arrow (1958), Cattle Empire (1958), The Incredible Petrified World (1959), The Baby Maker (1970) and Goodnight, Sweet Marilyn (1989). Coates was one of Hollywood's most consistently employed actresses of the 1950s and '60s. She freelanced steadily, appearing in numerous low-budget features, many of them Westerns, as well as serials and a steady stream of TV appearances, both as a regular in several series and as a guest cast member in others. All this was in addition to the "McDoakes" shorts, in which she continued to appear until Warner Bros. discontinued the series in 1956.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Phyllis Coates 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 Phyllis Coates'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 12% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Phyllis Coates remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Story of Superman, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Phyllis Coates Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Phyllis Coates's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Phyllis Coates.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2021 Hollywood in the Atomic Age: Monsters! Martians! Mad Scientists! Self Flop Similar →
1996 Hollywood: The Movie Old Dora Flop Similar →
1991 Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love Katherine Flop Similar →
1989 Goodnight, Sweet Marilyn Gladys Baker Flop Similar →
1989 The Story of Superman Self / Lois Lane (archival footage) Super Hit Similar →
1989 Kiss Shot - Average Similar →
1988 Whisper Kill - Hit Similar →
1970 The Baby Maker Tish's Mother Average Similar →
1966 U-238 and the Witch Doctor Carol Bryant Flop Similar →
1959 The Incredible Petrified World Dale Marshall Flop Similar →
1958 Cattle Empire Janice Hamilton Average Similar →
1958 Blood Arrow Bess Johnson Hit Similar →
1957 I Was a Teenage Frankenstein Margaret Average Similar →
1957 Chicago Confidential Helen Fremont (uncredited) Flop Similar →
1956 So Your Wife Wants to Work Alice McDoakes (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1956 Girls in Prison Dorothy Flop Similar →
1956 So You Want to Play the Piano Alice McDoakes Flop Similar →
1956 So You Want to Be Pretty Alice McDoakes aka Cynthia (uncredited) Flop Similar →
1955 Panther Girl of the Kongo Jean Evans, Panther Girl Average Similar →
1953 So You Want to Be an Heir Alice McDoakes (uncredited) Flop Similar →
1953 So You Think You Can't Sleep Alice McDoakes Flop Similar →
1953 El Paso Stampede Alice Clark Flop Similar →
1953 Topeka Marian Harrison Flop Similar →
1953 So You Want a Television Set Alice McDoakes (uncredited) Average Similar →
1953 Perils of the Jungle Jo Carter Flop Similar →
1953 Marshal of Cedar Rock Martha Clark Average Similar →
1953 Jungle Drums of Africa Carol Bryant Average Similar →
1952 Invasion, U.S.A. Mrs. Mulfory Flop Similar →
1952 Wyoming Roundup Terry Howard Average Similar →
1952 So You Want to Wear the Pants Alice McDoakes (uncredited) Flop Similar →
1952 Flat Top Dorothy Collier Flop Similar →
1952 Canyon Ambush Marian Gaylord Flop Similar →
1952 Fargo Kathy MacKenzie Hit Similar →
1952 So You Never Tell a Lie Alice McDoakes (uncredited) Average Similar →
1952 The Gunman Anita Forester Flop Similar →
1951 The Longhorn Gail Average Similar →
1951 Superman and the Mole Men Lois Lane Flop Similar →
1951 So You Want to Be a Plumber Alice McDoakes (uncredited) Flop Similar →
1951 So You Want to Be a Bachelor Alice Flop Similar →
1951 Nevada Badmen Carol Bannon Average Similar →
1951 The Screen Director Self (staged 'archive' footage) (uncredited) Average Similar →
1951 The Sun Was Setting Rene Flop Similar →
1950 Blues Busters Sally Dolan Average Similar →
1950 So You Want a Raise - Average Similar →
1950 My Blue Heaven Party Girl (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1950 So You Want to Move - Flop Similar →
1950 So You Think You're Not Guilty Alice McDoakes (uncredited) Average Similar →
1950 So You Want to Throw a Party Alice McDoakes (uncredited) Flop Similar →
1948 So You Want to Be on the Radio Alice McDoakes (uncredited) Average Similar →
1948 Smart Girls Don't Talk Cigarette Girl (uncredited) Average Similar →

Phyllis Coates - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Phyllis Coates?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Phyllis Coates is "The Story of Superman" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Phyllis Coates acted in?

Phyllis Coates has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Phyllis Coates?

Other notable films include "Blood Arrow", "So Your Wife Wants to Work", and "My Blue Heaven".