Zero Mostel
ActingAbout Zero Mostel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Samuel Joel “Zero” Mostel (February 28, 1915 – September 8, 1977) was an American actor of stage and screen, best known for his portrayal of comic characters such as Tevye onstage in Fiddler on the Roof, Pseudolus onstage and onscreen in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Max Bialystock in the original film version of The Producers. He was blacklisted during the 1950s, and his testimony before the House Committee on Un-American Activities was well-publicized. He was a Tony Award and Obie Award winner. Description above from the Wikipedia article Zero Mostel, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Zero Mostel reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 38 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Comedy
The majority of Zero Mostel'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 29% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Zero Mostel remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Mel Brooks: Make a Noise, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Zero Mostel Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Zero Mostel's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Zero Mostel.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Remembering Gene Wilder | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2018 | Mel Brooks: Unwrapped | Self (archive footage) | Average | Similar → |
| 2013 | Mel Brooks: Make a Noise | Self (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2007 | Hitler: The Comedy Years | Max Bialystock (archive footage) (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 2005 | Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards | Pseudolus ("A Funny Thing Happened on the ...") (arch. foot.) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2003 | Broadway's Lost Treasures | Tevye (segment "Fiddler On The Roof") | Average | Similar → |
| 1986 | The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | Muppet Treasures | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 1979 | Best Boy | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1978 | Watership Down | Kehaar (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1977 | Ride of the Valkyrie | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1976 | The Little Drummer Boy: Book II | Brutus (voice) | Average | Similar → |
| 1976 | The Front | Hecky Brown | Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | Mastermind | Inspector Hoku Ichihara | Flop | Similar → |
| 1975 | Journey into Fear | Kopelkin | Average | Similar → |
| 1975 | Fore Play | President / Don Pasquale | Flop | Similar → |
| 1974 | Rhinoceros | John | Flop | Similar → |
| 1973 | Marco | Kublai Khan | Flop | Similar → |
| 1973 | Saga of Sonora | Heavy Harry | Flop | Similar → |
| 1973 | Old Faithful | Ranger Zeppel | Flop | Similar → |
| 1973 | Once Upon a Scoundrel | Carlos del Refugio | Flop | Similar → |
| 1972 | The Hot Rock | Abe Greenberg | Hit | Similar → |
| 1970 | The Angel Levine | Morris Mishkin | Flop | Similar → |
| 1969 | The Great Bank Robbery | Rev. Pious Blue | Average | Similar → |
| 1968 | Great Catherine | Potemkin | Average | Similar → |
| 1968 | The Producers | Max Bialystock | Hit | Similar → |
| 1968 | Red, White, and Zero | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1966 | A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum | Pseudolus | Average | Similar → |
| 1966 | Carol + 2 | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 1961 | Waiting for Godot | Estragon / Gogo | Average | Similar → |
| 1959 | The World of Sholom Aleichem | Melamed / Maxel | Flop | Similar → |
| 1951 | The Model and the Marriage Broker | George Wixted | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | The Guy Who Came Back | Boots Mullins | Flop | Similar → |
| 1951 | Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell | Emmett | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | Sirocco | Balukjiaan | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | The Enforcer | 'Big Babe' Lazich | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | Panic in the Streets | Raymond Fitch | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Du Barry Was a Lady | Rami, the Swami / Taliostra | Average | Similar → |
Zero Mostel - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Zero Mostel?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Zero Mostel is "Mel Brooks: Make a Noise" with a rating of 8.2/10.
How many movies has Zero Mostel acted in?
Zero Mostel has been featured in at least 38 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Zero Mostel?
Other notable films include "Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards", "Remembering Gene Wilder", and "Watership Down".