Jim Backus
ActingAbout Jim Backus
Jim Backus (1913–1989) was a radio, television, film, and voice actor. Among his most famous credits are The Alan Young Radio Show, I Married Joan, Gilligan's Island, and Rebel Without a Cause. He also starred on his own show The Jim Backus Show.
Jim Backus Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Jim Backus 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 Jim Backus's work falls within the Comedy genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 58% of Jim Backus'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 Destination Magoo, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Jim Backus Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Jim Backus's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Jim Backus has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Los Angeles Plays Itself | Frank Stark in Rebel Without A Cause (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | Enchanted Journey | Gamba | Average | Similar → |
| 1980 | The Gossip Columnist | Jim Backus | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1979 | The Castaways on Gilligan's Island | Thurston Howell III | Hit | Similar → |
| 1977 | Pete's Dragon | The Mayor | Average | Similar → |
| 1974 | Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus | Narrator / Santa Claus (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1973 | Miracle on 34th Street | Shellhammer | Hit | Similar → |
| 1973 | The Girl Most Likely To... | Prof. David Tilson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1972 | Now You See Him, Now You Don't | Timothy Forsythe | Average | Similar → |
| 1970 | The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County | Staunch | Average | Similar → |
| 1967 | Hurry Sundown | Carter Sillens | Average | Similar → |
| 1965 | Fluffy | Sergeant | Hit | Similar → |
| 1963 | The Wheeler Dealers | Bullard Bear | Average | Similar → |
| 1963 | Sunday in New York | Chief Pilot Drysdale | Hit | Similar → |
| 1963 | It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World | Tyler Fitzgerald | Hit | Similar → |
| 1963 | A Child Is Waiting | Hot Dog Vendor (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1962 | Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol | Mr. Quincy Magoo / Ebenezer Scrooge (voice) | Average | Similar → |
| 1959 | Ask Any Girl | Mr. Maxwell | Average | Similar → |
| 1959 | The Wild and the Innocent | Mr. Forbes | Average | Similar → |
| 1958 | Scoutmaster Magoo | Mr. Magoo (voice) | Average | Similar → |
| 1957 | Man of a Thousand Faces | Clarence Locan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | Magoo Goes Overboard | Mr. Magoo (voice) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1956 | Magoo's Canine Mutiny | Mr. Magoo (voice) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | Rebel Without a Cause | Frank Stark | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | Destination Magoo | Mr. Magoo (voice) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | Deep in My Heart | Ben Judson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | When Magoo Flew | Mr. Magoo/Pilot (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1953 | I Love Melvin | Mergo | Average | Similar → |
| 1953 | Angel Face | District Attorney Judson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1953 | Above and Beyond | Gen. Curtis E. LeMay | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | Hotsy Footsy | Mr. Magoo (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | Don't Bother to Knock | Peter Jones | Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | Pat and Mike | Charles Barry | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | Deadline - U.S.A. | Jim Cleary | Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | Here Come the Nelsons | Joe Randolph | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | Grizzly Golfer | Mr. Magoo | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | The Man with a Cloak | Flaherty | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | Fuddy Duddy Buddy | Mr. Magoo (voice) | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | Iron Man | Max Watkins | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | His Kind of Woman | Myron Winton | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | Bright Victory | Bill Grayson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | Hollywood Story | Mitch Davis | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | Barefaced Flatfoot | Mr. Magoo | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | M | The Mayor | Average | Similar → |
| 1950 | The Killer That Stalked New York | Willie Dennis (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1950 | Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town | Joseph "Little Joe" Rogers | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | The Great Lover | Higgins | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | Father Was a Fullback | Professor Sullivan | Average | Similar → |
| 1949 | Ragtime Bear | Mr. Magoo (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | A-Lad-in His Lamp | Smokey the Genie (voice) (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
Jim Backus - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Jim Backus?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Jim Backus is "Destination Magoo" with a rating of 8.0/10.
How many movies has Jim Backus acted in?
Jim Backus has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Jim Backus?
Other notable films include "Los Angeles Plays Itself", "Rebel Without a Cause", and "The Gossip Columnist".