Gene Lyons - Actor Profile

Gene Lyons

Acting
Freshness: Feb 02, 2026
8Total Films
7.3 Highest Rated
Born: Feb 9, 1921
Birth Place: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

About Gene Lyons

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Gene Lyons (February 9, 1921 – July 8, 1974) was an American television actor from Pittsburgh, best known for his role as police commissioner Dennis Randall on the NBC detective series Ironside starring Raymond Burr. A life member of The Actors Studio, Lyons was in the Broadway production of Witness for the Prosecution for two years. His other Broadway credits include Masquerade (1958), The Trip to Bountiful (1953), Harriet (1942), and This Rock (1942). In 1953, Lyons played a police detective on the CBS drama series Pentagon U.S.A.. He appeared in 1954 as Steve Rockwell on the CBS daytime drama Woman with a Past. Before joining Raymond Burr as a regular on Ironside, he appeared on Perry Mason in 1965 as murderer Ralph Balfour in "The Case of the Wrathful Wraith." He also made guest appearances on nearly two dozen other series including The Dick Van Dyke Show, Gunsmoke, Have Gun, Will Travel, The Fugitive, Ben Casey, Star Trek ("A Taste of Armageddon"), The Twilight Zone ("King Nine Will Not Return"), The Alfred Hitchcock Hour and The Untouchables. He also appeared in films including Kiss Her Goodbye and The Young Don't Cry. Lyons died in Los Angeles, California on July 8, 1974 and is buried at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Pittsburgh.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Gene Lyons reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 8 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Gene Lyons's filmography leans towards the Drama 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 25% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Gene Lyons remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Sentence of Death, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Gene Lyons Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Gene Lyons's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Gene Lyons.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1996 The People vs. Larry Flynt DC Reporter Hit Similar →
1969 Daddy's Gone A-Hunting Dr. Blanker Flop Similar →
1967 Ironside Police Commissioner Dennis Randall Flop Similar →
1965 Sylvia Gavin Cullen Average Similar →
1959 Kiss Her Goodbye Corey Sherman Flop Similar →
1957 The Young Don't Cry Max Cole Average Similar →
1953 Sentence of Death Paul Cochran Hit Similar →
1953 The Trip to Bountiful - Flop Similar →

Gene Lyons - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Gene Lyons?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Gene Lyons is "Sentence of Death" with a rating of 7.3/10.

How many movies has Gene Lyons acted in?

Gene Lyons has been featured in at least 8 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Gene Lyons?

Other notable films include "The People vs. Larry Flynt", "The Young Don't Cry", and "Sylvia".