Richard Widmark
ActingAbout Richard Widmark
Richard Widmark (December 26, 1914 – March 24, 2008) was an American actor of films, stage, radio and television. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as the villainous Tommy Udo in his debut film, Kiss of Death. Early in his career Widmark specialized in similar villainous or anti-hero roles in film noirs, but he later branched out into more heroic leading and support roles in westerns, mainstream dramas and horror films, among others. At his death, Widmark was the earliest surviving Oscar nominee in the Supporting Actor category, and one of only two left from the 1940s (the other having been James Whitmore). For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Widmark has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6800 Hollywood Boulevard. In 2002, he was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Richard Widmark 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: Drama
The majority of Richard Widmark'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 66% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Richard Widmark remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Judgment at Nuremberg, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Richard Widmark Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Richard Widmark's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Richard Widmark.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1992 | Lincoln | Ward Hill Lamon (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1991 | Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker | Self (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1991 | True Colors | Sen. James Stiles | Average | Similar → |
| 1989 | Cold Sassy Tree | Enoch Rucker Blakeslee | Hit | Similar → |
| 1986 | Marilyn Monroe: Beyond the Legend | Self - Narrator | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1986 | The Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Who Dares Wins | Secretary of State Arthur Currie | Average | Similar → |
| 1981 | A Whale for the Killing | Tom Goodenough | Hit | Similar → |
| 1979 | Bear Island | Otto Gerran | Average | Similar → |
| 1978 | Coma | Dr. Harris | Hit | Similar → |
| 1977 | Rollercoaster | Agent Hoyt | Average | Similar → |
| 1977 | Twilight's Last Gleaming | Gen. Martin MacKenzie - Commanding General SA | Average | Similar → |
| 1975 | The Last Day | Will Spence | Average | Similar → |
| 1974 | Murder on the Orient Express | Mr. Ratchett | Hit | Similar → |
| 1971 | Directed by John Ford | (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1969 | Death of a Gunfighter | Marshal Frank Patch | Average | Similar → |
| 1968 | Madigan | Det. Daniel Madigan | Average | Similar → |
| 1967 | The Way West | Lije Evans | Average | Similar → |
| 1966 | Alvarez Kelly | Col. Tom Rossiter | Average | Similar → |
| 1965 | The Bedford Incident | Captain Eric Finlander, U.S.N. | Hit | Similar → |
| 1964 | Cheyenne Autumn | Capt. Thomas Archer | Hit | Similar → |
| 1964 | The Long Ships | Rolfe | Average | Similar → |
| 1962 | How the West Was Won | Mike King | Hit | Similar → |
| 1961 | Judgment at Nuremberg | Tad Lawson | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1961 | Two Rode Together | First Lt. Jim Gary | Average | Similar → |
| 1960 | The Alamo | Jim Bowie | Hit | Similar → |
| 1959 | Warlock | Johnny Gannon | Hit | Similar → |
| 1959 | The Trap | Ralph Anderson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1958 | The Law and Jake Wade | Clint Hollister | Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | Time Limit | Col. William Edwards | Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | Saint Joan | The Dauphin, Charles VII | Average | Similar → |
| 1956 | The Last Wagon | Comanche Todd | Hit | Similar → |
| 1956 | Backlash | Jim Slater | Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | Broken Lance | Ben Devereaux | Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | Garden of Evil | Fiske | Average | Similar → |
| 1954 | Hell and High Water | Capt. Adam Jones | Average | Similar → |
| 1953 | Pickup on South Street | Skip McCoy | Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | My Pal Gus | Dave Jennings | Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | O. Henry's Full House | Johnny Kernan (segment "The Clarion Call") | Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | Don't Bother to Knock | Jed Towers | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | The Frogmen | Lt. Cmdr. John Lawrence | Average | Similar → |
| 1950 | No Way Out | Ray Biddle | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | Panic in the Streets | Lt. Cmdr. Clinton 'Clint' Reed M.D. | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | Night and the City | Harry Fabian | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | Down to the Sea in Ships | Dan Lunceford | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | Yellow Sky | Dude | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | Road House | Jefferson T. 'Jefty' Robbins | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | The Street with No Name | Alec Stiles | Average | Similar → |
| 1947 | Kiss of Death | Tommy Udo | Hit | Similar → |
Richard Widmark - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Richard Widmark?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Richard Widmark is "Judgment at Nuremberg" with a rating of 8.0/10.
How many movies has Richard Widmark acted in?
Richard Widmark has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Richard Widmark?
Other notable films include "Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick", "The Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn", and "Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker".