Rufus Thomas
ActingAbout Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas, Jr. (March 27, 1917 – December 15, 2001) was an American rhythm and blues, funk and soul singer and comedian from Memphis, Tennessee, who recorded on Sun Records in the 1950s and on Stax Records in the 1960s and 1970s. He was the father of soul singer Carla Thomas and keyboard player Marvell Thomas. A third child, Vaneese, a former French teacher, has a recording studio in upstate New York and sings for television commercials.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Rufus Thomas reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 10 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Music
The majority of Rufus Thomas's filmography leans towards the Music 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 40% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Rufus Thomas remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Sounds of Memphis, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Rufus Thomas Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Rufus Thomas's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Rufus Thomas.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Memphis '69 | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 2002 | Sounds of Memphis | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2002 | Only the Strong Survive | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1999 | Cookie's Fortune | Theo Johnson | Average | Similar → |
| 1996 | A Family Thing | Tommy | Average | Similar → |
| 1994 | The Soul of Stax | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 1990 | All Day and All Night: Memories from Beale Street Musicians | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 1989 | Mystery Train | Man in Station | Hit | Similar → |
| 1989 | Great Balls of Fire! | Haney's Big House Dancer | Average | Similar → |
| 1973 | Wattstax | Self | Hit | Similar → |
Rufus Thomas - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Rufus Thomas?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Rufus Thomas is "Sounds of Memphis" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Rufus Thomas acted in?
Rufus Thomas has been featured in at least 10 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Rufus Thomas?
Other notable films include "Mystery Train", "Wattstax", and "Only the Strong Survive".




