
Catherine McLeod
ActingAbout Catherine McLeod
Catherine McLeod (July 2, 1921 – May 11, 1997) was an American actress who made over sixty television and movie appearances between 1944 and 1976. She memorably portrayed the one woman whom James Garner's character Bret Maverick wanted to marry on the 1957 television series Maverick, in the episode "Rage for Vengeance," and appeared in literally dozens of other series including The Millionaire, Meet McGraw, Richard Diamond, Private Detective, 77 Sunset Strip, Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer, Bronco, Perry Mason, Colt .45, Lawman, Bonanza, Hawaiian Eye, Have Gun - Will Travel, The Outer Limits, The Virginian, and the Ten Thousand Horses Singing episode of Studio One opposite James Dean and John Forsythe. Movies included Frank Borzage's I've Always Loved You (1946), Courage of Lassie (1946), The Fabulous Texan (1947), That's My Man (1947), Old Los Angeles (1948), My Wife's Best Friend (1952), A Blueprint for Murder (1953), William Witney's The Outcast (1954), Ride the Wild Surf (1964), and Lipstick (1976). McLeod's greatest impact upon American consciousness by far, however, was as purveyor of one of the most ubiquitous catchphrases of its era when she portrayed the woman in the 1963 headache remedy television commercial who plaintively but irritably said, "Mother, please! I'd rather do it myself!" The announcer's voiceover would then intone, "Sure you have a headache... tense, irritable.... but don't take it out on her." Description above from the Wikipedia article Catherine McLeod, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Catherine McLeod Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Catherine McLeod reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 20 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Catherine McLeod's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 5% of Catherine McLeod's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains The Harvey Girls, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Catherine McLeod Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Catherine McLeod's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Catherine McLeod has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | The Republic Pictures Story | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 1976 | Lipstick | Vogue Lady | Flop | Similar → |
| 1964 | Ride the Wild Surf | Mrs. Kilua | Flop | Similar → |
| 1961 | The Sergeant Was a Lady | Maj. Hay | Flop | Similar → |
| 1961 | Tammy Tell Me True | Mrs. Bateman | Average | Similar → |
| 1958 | Return to Warbow | Kathleen Fallam | Average | Similar → |
| 1954 | The Outcast | Alice Austin | Average | Similar → |
| 1954 | The Heart of Juliet Jones | Juliet Jones | Flop | Similar → |
| 1953 | A Blueprint for Murder | Maggie Sargent | Average | Similar → |
| 1953 | Sword of Venus | Claire | Flop | Similar → |
| 1952 | My Wife's Best Friend | Jane Richards | Flop | Similar → |
| 1952 | 10,000 Horses Singing | D. D. Dillward | Flop | Similar → |
| 1950 | So Young, So Bad | Ruth Levering | Flop | Similar → |
| 1948 | Old Los Angeles | Marie Marlowe | Average | Similar → |
| 1947 | The Fabulous Texan | Josie Allen | Flop | Similar → |
| 1947 | That's My Man | Ronnie Grange | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | I've Always Loved You | Myra Hassman | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | Courage of Lassie | Alice Merrick | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | The Harvey Girls | Louise (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Forever Yours | Martha | Flop | Similar → |
Catherine McLeod - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Catherine McLeod?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Catherine McLeod is "The Harvey Girls" with a rating of 6.5/10.
How many movies has Catherine McLeod acted in?
Catherine McLeod has been featured in at least 20 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Catherine McLeod?
Other notable films include "I've Always Loved You", "The Outcast", and "A Blueprint for Murder".




