Marion Ross - Actor Profile

Marion Ross

Acting
Freshness: Jan 20, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Oct 25, 1928
Birth Place: Watertown, Carver County, Minnesota, USA

About Marion Ross

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Marion Ross (born October 25, 1928) is an American actress best known for her role as Marion Cunningham on the ABCtelevision series, Happy Days from 1974 to 1984.Born Marian Ross in Watertown in Carver County in southern Minnesota, the daughter of Ellen (née Hamilton) and Gordon Ross,she lived in Waconia and then moved to Willmar and eventually to Albert Lea, Minnesota.At the age of 13, she changed the spelling of her name from "Marian" to "Marion" because she thought it would look better on a marquee. After completing her sophomore year in high school, she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and worked as an au pair while studying drama at the MacPhail Center for the Arts, and attending Southwest High School. A year later, her family moved to San Diego, California.She graduated from Point Loma High School in San Diego.Ross enrolled in San Diego State University,where she was named the school's most outstanding actress. After graduation in 1950, she performed in summer theater in La Jolla, California. The director was impressed by her talent, and recommended that she try for work in films.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Marion Ross reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Comedy

The majority of Marion Ross'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 56% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Marion Ross remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Holly Hobbie and Friends: Best Friends Forever, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Marion Ross Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Marion Ross's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Marion Ross.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2021 Dark Shadows and Beyond: The Jonathan Frid Story Self Super Hit Similar →
2021 More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story Self Hit Similar →
2020 The Happy Days of Garry Marshall Self Super Hit Similar →
2019 My Music: A Classic Christmas Self - Host Super Hit Similar →
2018 Angels on Tap Waitress Flop Similar →
2014 A Perfect Christmas List Evie Flop Similar →
2014 Signed, Sealed, Delivered for Christmas Marion Hit Similar →
2014 Sweet Surrender Grandma Average Similar →
2014 I Know That Voice Self Hit Similar →
2013 Heebie Jeebies Agnes Whitehead Flop Similar →
2012 Dear Dracula Grandma (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2011 Keeping Up with the Randalls Grandma Dorie Hit Similar →
2010 Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster Hilda Trowburg Average Similar →
2009 Flower Girl Rose Durham Average Similar →
2009 Square Roots: The Story of SpongeBob SquarePants Self Super Hit Similar →
2008 Superhero Movie Aunt Lucille Flop Similar →
2007 Smiley Face Shirley Average Similar →
2007 Holly Hobbie and Friends: Best Friends Forever Annabelle Crow (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2007 Music Within Grandma Average Similar →
2006 Where There's a Will Leslie Clyde Onstott Hit Similar →
2004 Weezer: Video Capture Device - Treasures from the Vault 1991-2002 Marion Cunningham ("Buddy Holly") (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2003 Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star Self Flop Similar →
1998 About Sarah Grandma Rose McCaffrey Average Similar →
1998 The Lake Maggie Flop Similar →
1996 The Evening Star Rosie Dunlop Average Similar →
1996 Hidden in Silence Mrs. Diamant Hit Similar →
1995 Hart to Hart: Secrets of the Hart Maureen Collier Average Similar →
1981 Midnight Offerings Emily Moore Average Similar →
1980 Skyward Natalie Ward Hit Similar →
1977 Grand Theft Auto Vivian Hedgeworth Flop Similar →
1972 The Weekend Nun Mrs. Crowe Average Similar →
1970 Colossus: The Forbin Project Angela Fields Hit Similar →
1970 Airport Joan Myers (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1969 Any Second Now Mrs. Hoyt Hit Similar →
1961 Blueprint for Robbery Young Woman Flop Similar →
1959 Operation Petticoat 2nd Lieutenant Colfax Hit Similar →
1959 It Started with a Kiss Diane (uncredited) Flop Similar →
1958 Some Came Running Sister Mary Joseph (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1958 Teacher's Pet Katy Fuller Hit Similar →
1957 God Is My Partner Frances Denning Flop Similar →
1957 Lizzie Ruth Seaton Hit Similar →
1956 Around the World in 80 Days Extra (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1956 Lust for Life Sister Clothilde (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1956 The Proud and Profane Joan Average Similar →
1956 Blithe Spirit Edith Super Hit Similar →
1954 Sabrina Spiller's Girlfriend (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1954 Pushover Mrs. Crockett (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1954 Secret of the Incas Miss Morris (uncredited) Average Similar →
1954 The Glenn Miller Story Polly Haynes (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1953 Forever Female Patty Hit Similar →

Marion Ross - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Marion Ross?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Marion Ross is "Holly Hobbie and Friends: Best Friends Forever" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Marion Ross acted in?

Marion Ross has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Marion Ross?

Other notable films include "Square Roots: The Story of SpongeBob SquarePants", "Dark Shadows and Beyond: The Jonathan Frid Story", and "Weezer: Video Capture Device - Treasures from the Vault 1991-2002".