Joan Blondell - Actor Profile

Joan Blondell

Acting
Updated: Apr 13, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Aug 30, 1906
Birth Place: New York City, New York, USA

About Joan Blondell

Rose Joan Blondell (August 30, 1906 – December 25, 1979) was an American actress. After winning a beauty pageant, Blondell embarked upon a film career. Establishing herself as a sexy wisecracking blonde, she was a pre-Code staple of Warner Brothers and appeared in more than 100 movies and television productions. She was most active in films during the 1930s, and during this time she co-starred with Glenda Farrell in nine films, in which the duo portrayed gold-diggers. Blondell continued acting for the rest of her life, often in small character roles or supporting television roles. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in The Blue Veil (1951). Blondell was seen in featured roles in two films, Grease (1978) and the remake of The Champ (1979), released shortly before her death from leukemia.

Joan Blondell Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Joan Blondell 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 Joan Blondell's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 60% of Joan Blondell'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 Going Hollywood: The '30s, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Joan Blondell Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Joan Blondell's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Joan Blondell has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2008 Public Enemies: The Golden Age of the Gangster Film Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2008 You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story Self Super Hit Similar →
2003 Complicated Women Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1984 Going Hollywood: The '30s (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
1979 The Champ Dolly Kenyon Hit Similar →
1978 Grease Vi Hit Similar →
1977 Opening Night Sarah Goode Super Hit Similar →
1975 Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? Self (archive footage) Average Similar →
1975 Winner Take All Beverly Craig Hit Similar →
1971 Support Your Local Gunfighter Jenny Hit Similar →
1967 Winchester '73 Larouge Average Similar →
1967 The Spy in the Green Hat Mrs. 'Fingers' Stilletto Hit Similar →
1965 The Cincinnati Kid Lady Fingers Hit Similar →
1961 Angel Baby Mollie Hays Average Similar →
1957 Desk Set Peg Costello Hit Similar →
1957 Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Violet Hit Similar →
1957 Lizzie Aunt Morgan Hit Similar →
1951 The Blue Veil Annie Rawlins Hit Similar →
1950 For Heaven's Sake Daphne Peters Hit Similar →
1947 Nightmare Alley Zeena Krumbein Hit Similar →
1945 Adventure Helen Melohn Average Similar →
1945 Don Juan Quilligan Marjorie Mossrock Average Similar →
1945 A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Aunt Sissy Super Hit Similar →
1943 Cry 'Havoc' Grace Average Similar →
1941 Topper Returns Gail Richards Average Similar →
1940 Two Girls on Broadway Molly Mahoney Hit Similar →
1939 Breakdowns of 1939 Self Hit Similar →
1939 Good Girls Go to Paris Jenny Swanson Hit Similar →
1939 The Kid from Kokomo Doris Harvey Average Similar →
1939 East Side of Heaven Mary Wilson Hit Similar →
1939 Off the Record Jane Morgan Average Similar →
1937 Stand-In Lester Plum Average Similar →
1936 Gold Diggers of 1937 Norma Perry Average Similar →
1936 Three Men on a Horse Mabel Average Similar →
1936 Bullets or Ballots Lee Morgan Hit Similar →
1934 Dames Mabel Anderson Hit Similar →
1934 He Was Her Man Rose Lawrence Average Similar →
1934 I've Got Your Number Marie Lawson Average Similar →
1933 Footlight Parade Nan Prescott Hit Similar →
1933 Gold Diggers of 1933 Carol Hit Similar →
1933 Just Around the Corner Mrs. Graham Average Similar →
1932 Lawyer Man Olga Michaels Average Similar →
1932 Three on a Match Mary Keaton Average Similar →
1932 The Famous Ferguson Case Maizie Dickson Average Similar →
1931 Blonde Crazy Anne Roberts Hit Similar →
1931 The Reckless Hour Allen Crane Hit Similar →
1931 Night Nurse Maloney Hit Similar →
1931 Big Business Girl Pearl Average Similar →
1931 The Public Enemy Mamie Hit Similar →
1930 Sinners' Holiday Myrtle Average Similar →

Joan Blondell - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Joan Blondell?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Joan Blondell is "Going Hollywood: The '30s" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Joan Blondell acted in?

Joan Blondell has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Joan Blondell?

Other notable films include "You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story", "Opening Night", and "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn".

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