Melissa Mathison - Actor Profile

Melissa Mathison

Writing
Freshness: Jan 20, 2026
6Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Jun 3, 1950
Birth Place: Los Angeles, California, USA

About Melissa Mathison

Melissa Marie Mathison (June 3, 1950 – November 4, 2015) was an American film and television screenwriter and an activist for the Tibetan independence movement. She was best known for writing the screenplays for the films The Black Stallion (1979) and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), the latter of which earned her the Saturn Award for Best Writing and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Mathison later wrote The Indian in the Cupboard (1995), based on Lynne Reid Banks's 1980 children's novel of the same name, and Kundun (1997), a biographical-drama film about the Dalai Lama. Her final film credit was The BFG (2016), which marked her third collaboration with film director Steven Spielberg. Description above from the Wikipedia article Melissa Mathison, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Melissa Mathison reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 6 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Documentary

The majority of Melissa Mathison'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), Melissa Mathison remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The 'E.T.' Journals, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Melissa Mathison Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Melissa Mathison's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Melissa Mathison.

Melissa Mathison - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Melissa Mathison?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Melissa Mathison is "The 'E.T.' Journals" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Melissa Mathison acted in?

Melissa Mathison has been featured in at least 6 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Melissa Mathison?

Other notable films include "Spielberg", "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial", and "The Making of 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'".