Ellen Corby - Actor Profile

Ellen Corby

Acting
Updated: Apr 11, 2026
50Total Films
8.3 Highest Rated
Born: Jun 3, 1911
Birth Place: Racine, Wisconsin, USA

About Ellen Corby

Ellen Corby (June 3, 1911 – April 14, 1999) was an American actress and screenwriter. She is best remembered for playing the role of Esther "Grandma" Walton on the CBS television series The Waltons, for which she won three Emmy Awards. She was also nominated for an Academy Award and won a Golden Globe Award for her performance as Aunt Trina in I Remember Mama (1948). Description above from the Wikipedia article Ellen Corby, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Ellen Corby Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Ellen Corby reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Ellen Corby's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 74% of Ellen Corby'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 It's a Wonderful Life, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Ellen Corby Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Ellen Corby's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Ellen Corby has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1997 A Walton Easter Grandma Walton Hit Similar →
1993 A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion Grandma Walton Super Hit Similar →
1981 All the Way Home Great-Gandmaw Hit Similar →
1980 The Waltons: A Decade of the Waltons - Super Hit Similar →
1971 The Homecoming: A Christmas Story Esther Walton Hit Similar →
1971 Support Your Local Gunfighter Abigail Hit Similar →
1967 The Gnome-Mobile Etta Pettibone (uncredited) Average Similar →
1966 The Ghost and Mr. Chicken Neva Tremaine Hit Similar →
1965 The Family Jewels Airline Passenger Hit Similar →
1964 Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte Lily Hit Similar →
1964 The Strangler Mrs. Kroll Average Similar →
1963 The Caretakers Irene Average Similar →
1961 Pocketful of Miracles Soho Sal Hit Similar →
1958 As Young As We Are Nettie McPherson Average Similar →
1958 Vertigo Manager of McKittrick Hotel Super Hit Similar →
1957 All Mine to Give Mrs. Raiden Average Similar →
1957 Night Passage Mrs. Feeney Hit Similar →
1955 Illegal Miss Hinkel Average Similar →
1954 Sabrina Miss McCardie Super Hit Similar →
1954 About Mrs. Leslie Mrs. Croffman Hit Similar →
1953 Shane Liz Torrey Hit Similar →
1953 Woman They Almost Lynched First Townswoman Average Similar →
1951 Angels in the Outfield Sister Veronica Hit Similar →
1951 On Moonlight Bay Miss Mary Stevens Average Similar →
1951 Goodbye, My Fancy Miss Birdshaw Average Similar →
1951 The Mating Season Annie Hit Similar →
1950 Harriet Craig Lottie Super Hit Similar →
1950 The Gunfighter Mrs. Devlin Hit Similar →
1950 Caged Emma Barber Hit Similar →
1949 Madame Bovary Félicité Hit Similar →
1949 Mighty Joe Young Orphanage matron (uncredited) Average Similar →
1949 Little Women Sophie Hit Similar →
1949 Rusty Saves a Life Miss Simmons Hit Similar →
1948 The Noose Hangs High Hilda - Maid (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1948 I Remember Mama Aunt Trina Hit Similar →
1947 The Judge Steps Out Mother at Party (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1947 Railroaded! Mrs. Wills (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1947 The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer Courtroom Spectator (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1947 They Won't Believe Me Screaming Woman in Courtroom (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1947 Born to Kill Maid (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1946 It's a Wonderful Life Ms. Davis (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1946 The Locket Ginny (uncredited) Average Similar →
1946 Sister Kenny Hospital Scrub Woman (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1946 Lover Come Back Rita Average Similar →
1946 Bedlam Betty, Queen of the Artichokes (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1946 The Dark Corner Maid (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1946 The Spiral Staircase Neighbour (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1934 Babes in Toyland Townswoman at Tom-Tom's Trial (uncredited) Average Similar →
1933 Sons of the Desert Partygoer at Table Next to Charley's (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1933 Rafter Romance Telemarketer (uncredited) Hit Similar →

Ellen Corby - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Ellen Corby?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Ellen Corby is "It's a Wonderful Life" with a rating of 8.3/10.

How many movies has Ellen Corby acted in?

Ellen Corby has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Ellen Corby?

Other notable films include "Vertigo", "The Waltons: A Decade of the Waltons", and "Sabrina".

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