Howard Keel - Actor Profile

Howard Keel

Acting
Updated: Apr 13, 2026
44Total Films
7.5 Highest Rated
Born: Apr 13, 1919
Birth Place: Gillespie, Illinois, U.S.

About Howard Keel

Harold Clifford Keel (April 13, 1919 – November 7, 2004), known professionally as Howard Keel, was an American actor and singer. He starred in many film musicals of the 1950s. He is best known to modern audiences for his starring role in the CBS television series Dallas from 1981 to 1991, as Clayton Farlow, opposite Barbara Bel Geddes's character, but to an earlier generation, he was known as the star of some of the most famous MGM film musicals ever made, with a rich baritone singing voice. Description above from the Wikipedia article Howard Keel, licensed under CC-BY-SA,full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Howard Keel Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Howard Keel reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 44 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

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

Success Ratio

Approximately 34% of Howard Keel'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 Sobbin' Women: The Making of 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers', which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Howard Keel Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Howard Keel's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Howard Keel has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2009 Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1950s: The Golden Era of the Musical Self (archive) Flop Similar →
2006 Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer Self Flop Similar →
2003 Cole Porter in Hollywood: Too Darn Hot Self Flop Similar →
1997 Sobbin' Women: The Making of 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' Himself - Host Super Hit Similar →
1995 Inside the Dream Factory Self Average Similar →
1994 That's Entertainment! III Self - Co-Host / Narrator Hit Similar →
1994 Hart to Hart: Home Is Where the Hart Is Capt. Quentin "Jack" Jackson Hit Similar →
1987 Creepy Classics Bill Masen - (archive footage) Average Similar →
1985 That's Dancing! From 'Kiss Me Kate' (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1984 Royal Variety Performance 1984 - Flop Similar →
1983 James Bond: The First 21 Years Self Flop Similar →
1982 Night of 100 Stars Self Hit Similar →
1976 That's Entertainment, Part II (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1974 That's Entertainment! (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1972 Hollywood: The Dream Factory Self (archive footage) Average Similar →
1968 Arizona Bushwhackers Lee Travis Flop Similar →
1967 The War Wagon Levi Walking Bear Hit Similar →
1967 Red Tomahawk Capt. Tom York Average Similar →
1966 Waco 'Waco' Average Similar →
1964 Kiss Me, Kate Fred Graham Flop Similar →
1963 The Day of the Triffids Bill Masen Average Similar →
1961 Armored Command Col. Devlin Flop Similar →
1959 The Big Fisherman Simon Peter Flop Similar →
1958 Floods of Fear Donovan Hit Similar →
1955 Kismet The Poet Flop Similar →
1955 Jupiter's Darling Hannibal Flop Similar →
1954 Deep in My Heart Performer in My Maryland Hit Similar →
1954 Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Brother Adam Pontipee Hit Similar →
1954 Rose Marie Capt. Mike Malone Flop Similar →
1953 Kiss Me Kate Fred Graham, "Petruchio" Hit Similar →
1953 Calamity Jane Wild Bill Hickok Hit Similar →
1953 Ride, Vaquero! King Cameron Average Similar →
1953 Fast Company Rick Grayton Hit Similar →
1952 The Hoaxters Narrator (voice) Flop Similar →
1952 Desperate Search Vince Heldon Average Similar →
1952 Lovely to Look at Tony Naylor Flop Similar →
1951 Callaway Went Thataway Stretch Barnes / Smoky Callaway Flop Similar →
1951 Across the Wide Missouri Narrator (voice) (uncredited) Average Similar →
1951 Texas Carnival Slim Shelby Flop Similar →
1951 Show Boat Gaylord Ravenal Average Similar →
1951 Three Guys Named Mike Mike Jamison Average Similar →
1950 Pagan Love Song Hazard Endicott Flop Similar →
1950 Annie Get Your Gun Frank Butler Hit Similar →
1948 The Small Voice Boke Average Similar →

Howard Keel - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Howard Keel?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Howard Keel is "Sobbin' Women: The Making of 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers'" with a rating of 7.5/10.

How many movies has Howard Keel acted in?

Howard Keel has been featured in at least 44 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Howard Keel?

Other notable films include "That's Entertainment!", "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", and "Calamity Jane".

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