James Karen - Actor Profile

James Karen

Acting
Updated: Apr 10, 2026
50Total Films
9.3 Highest Rated
Born: Nov 28, 1923
Birth Place: Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, USA

About James Karen

​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. James Karen (November 28, 1923 - October 23, 2018) was an American character actor of Broadway, film and television. Description above from the Wikipedia article James Karen, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia

Known For: ActingIndustry Veteran

James Karen Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of James Karen reflects a strong mix of popular and critically appreciated roles. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

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

Success Ratio

Approximately 58% of James Karen'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 Cowboy and the Movie Star, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best James Karen Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from James Karen's career based on audience ratings.

★9.3
The Cowboy and the Movie Star (1998) movie poster
★9.3

The Cowboy and the Movie Star: Depressed at the thought of losing his family ranch to settle his divorce, cowboy Clint Brannan decides to drive his cat

The Cowboy and the Movie Star

1998•Drama
★9.0
Making Pursuit: An Italian Take on the American Dream (2007) movie poster
★9.0

Making Pursuit: An Italian Take on the American Dream: This is a "making of" documentary for the hit film "The Pursuit of Happyness". It chronicles a foreign director's perspe

Making Pursuit: An Italian Take on the American Dream

2007•Documentary
★8.0
The China Syndrome: A Fusion of Talent (2004) movie poster
★8.0

The China Syndrome: A Fusion of Talent: Behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of "The China Syndrome."

The China Syndrome: A Fusion of Talent

2004•Documentary
★7.9
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) movie poster
★7.9

The Pursuit of Happyness: A struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional career.

The Pursuit of Happyness

2006•Drama
★7.8
Mulholland Drive (2001) movie poster
★7.8

Mulholland Drive: Blonde Betty Elms has only just arrived in Hollywood to become a movie star when she meets an enigmatic brunette with am

Mulholland Drive

2001•Thriller

Full Filmography

Every movie James Karen has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2018 The Great Buster: A Celebration Self Hit Similar →
2012 The Butterfly Room Sales Clerk Average Similar →
2011 More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead Himself Hit Similar →
2011 They Won't Stay Dead: A Look at 'Return of the Living Dead Part II' Himself Average Similar →
2010 Sympathy for Delicious Father Rohn Average Similar →
2009 Dark and Stormy Night Seyton Ethelquake Average Similar →
2007 Making Pursuit: An Italian Take on the American Dream Self Super Hit Similar →
2006 The Pursuit of Happyness Martin Frohm Super Hit Similar →
2006 Superman Returns Ben Hubbard Average Similar →
2004 So Funny It Hurt: Buster Keaton & MGM Self - Host / Narrator Hit Similar →
2004 The China Syndrome: A Fusion of Talent Self Super Hit Similar →
2004 The China Syndrome: Creating a Controversy Self Average Similar →
2001 Mulholland Drive Wally Brown Super Hit Similar →
2000 Thirteen Days George Ball Hit Similar →
1999 Any Given Sunday Christina's Advisor Hit Similar →
1998 Apt Pupil Victor Bowden Hit Similar →
1998 Universal Horror Self - Interviewee Hit Similar →
1998 The Cowboy and the Movie Star Brad Peters Super Hit Similar →
1997 Nightman Secretary of Defense Laughton Average Similar →
1996 Up Close & Personal Tom Orr Average Similar →
1995 Nixon Bill Rogers Hit Similar →
1995 Congo College President / Elliot's Boss Average Similar →
1995 Bonanza: Under Attack Mr. Stewart Hit Similar →
1993 A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion Assistant District Attorney Al Sampson Super Hit Similar →
1990 The Willies Jenkins / Uncle Harry Average Similar →
1990 Thanksgiving Day Averill Crandall Average Similar →
1988 Return of the Living Dead Part II Ed Average Similar →
1987 Wall Street Lynch Hit Similar →
1987 Drive-In Madness! Himself / Host / Narrator Average Similar →
1986 Invaders from Mars Gen. Climet Wilson Average Similar →
1985 Jagged Edge Andrew Hardesty Average Similar →
1985 The Return of the Living Dead Frank Hit Similar →
1984 Sam's Son Mr. Collins Average Similar →
1984 Little House: The Last Farewell Nathan Lassiter Hit Similar →
1982 Kiss Me Goodbye Lawyer Average Similar →
1982 Frances Juge Hillier Hit Similar →
1982 Poltergeist Mr. Teague Hit Similar →
1980 The Jazz Singer Barney Callahan Average Similar →
1980 F.D.R.: The Last Year Adm. McIntire Average Similar →
1979 The China Syndrome Mac Churchill Hit Similar →
1979 The Ordeal of Patty Hearst Psychologist Average Similar →
1978 F.I.S.T. Andrews Hit Similar →
1977 Opening Night Bellboy Super Hit Similar →
1977 Capricorn One Vice President Price Hit Similar →
1977 Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night Dr. Sutterman Hit Similar →
1977 Something for Joey Dr. Wingreen Average Similar →
1976 All the President's Men Hugh Sloan's Lawyer Super Hit Similar →
1974 Amazing Grace Annenberg Hit Similar →
1970 I Never Sang for My Father Old Age Home Director Hit Similar →
1965 Film Passerby Hit Similar →

James Karen - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of James Karen?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring James Karen is "The Cowboy and the Movie Star" with a rating of 9.3/10.

How many movies has James Karen acted in?

James Karen has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by James Karen?

Other notable films include "Making Pursuit: An Italian Take on the American Dream", "The China Syndrome: A Fusion of Talent", and "The Pursuit of Happyness".

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