
Charles Drake
ActingAbout Charles Drake
Charles Drake (October 2, 1917 – September 10, 1994) was an American actor.Drake was born as Charles Ruppert in New York City. He graduated from Nichols College and became a salesman. In 1939, he turned to acting and signed a contract with Warner Brothers. He wasn't immediately successful. World War II interrupted his career; soon after his military service was complete, Drake returned to Hollywood in 1945, his contract with Warner Brothers ended. In the 1940s, he did some freelance work, like A Night in Casablanca. In 1949 he moved to Universal Studios. In 1955, Drake turned to television as one of the stock-company players on Robert Montgomery Presents and three years later he became the host of the British TV espionage weekly Rendezvous. In 1959, he starred in the Western film, No Name on the Bullet, where he played a doctor dedicated to saving a small town from a dangerous assassin. In 1967 he played the part of Oliver Greer in The Fugitive episode The One That Got Away. He played in 83 films between 1939 and 1975, including Scream, Pretty Peggy. More than 50 were dramas, but he also acted in comedies, science fiction, horror and film noir. He died on September 10, 1994 in East Lyme, Connecticut, aged 76. Description above from the Wikipedia article Charles Drake, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Charles Drake reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Charles Drake'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 50% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Charles Drake remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Harvey, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Charles Drake Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Charles Drake's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Charles Drake.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | James Stewart: A Wonderful Life | Self (archive footage) | Average | Similar → |
| 1983 | My Brother's Wedding | Pastor #2 | Hit | Similar → |
| 1973 | Scream, Pretty Peggy | George Thornton | Average | Similar → |
| 1972 | The Screaming Woman | Ken Bronson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1969 | The Arrangement | Finnegan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1969 | Hail, Hero! | Senator Murchiston | Average | Similar → |
| 1968 | The Swimmer | Howard Graham | Hit | Similar → |
| 1967 | Valley of the Dolls | Kevin Gillmore | Average | Similar → |
| 1965 | The Third Day | Lawrence Conway | Average | Similar → |
| 1965 | Dear Heart | Frank Taylor | Average | Similar → |
| 1963 | Showdown | Bert Pickett | Average | Similar → |
| 1961 | Tammy Tell Me True | Buford Woodly | Average | Similar → |
| 1959 | No Name on the Bullet | Luke Canfield | Hit | Similar → |
| 1958 | Step Down to Terror | Johnny Walters | Average | Similar → |
| 1957 | Until They Sail | Capt. Richard Bates | Average | Similar → |
| 1957 | Jeanne Eagels | John Donahue | Average | Similar → |
| 1956 | Walk the Proud Land | Tom Sweeny | Average | Similar → |
| 1956 | The Price of Fear | Pete Carroll | Average | Similar → |
| 1955 | To Hell and Back | Brandon | Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | All That Heaven Allows | Mick Anderson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | Female on the Beach | Police Lieutenant Galley | Average | Similar → |
| 1954 | The Glenn Miller Story | Don Haynes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1953 | War Arrow | Sgt. Luke Schermerhorn | Average | Similar → |
| 1953 | It Came from Outer Space | Sheriff Matt Warren | Average | Similar → |
| 1953 | Gunsmoke | Johnny Lake | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | The Red Ball Express | Partridge | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | The Treasure of Lost Canyon | Jim Anderson | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | You Never Can Tell | Perry Collins | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | Harvey | Dr. Sanderson | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | Winchester '73 | Steve Miller | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | Louisa | Radio Broadcaster (voice) (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | Johnny Stool Pigeon | Hotel Clerk (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1948 | The Tender Years | Bob Wilson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | A Night in Casablanca | Lt. Pierre Delmar | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | You Came Along | Lt. R. Janoschek | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Conflict | Norman Holsworth | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Air Force | Navigator | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | The Hard Way | Trailer Narrator (Uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Now, Voyager | Leslie Trotter (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Busses Roar | Eddie Sloan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Across the Pacific | Officer (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Winning Your Wings | State College Student (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Bullet Scars | Reporter at Police HQ | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | The Man Who Came to Dinner | Sandy | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Dangerously They Live | Joe, Hospital Orderly with Dr. Murdock (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | One Foot in Heaven | Second Bridegroom (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | The Maltese Falcon | Reporter (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Sergeant York | Scorer (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Out of the Fog | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | The Hunchback of Notre Dame | Young Priest (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
Charles Drake - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Charles Drake?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Charles Drake is "Harvey" with a rating of 7.7/10.
How many movies has Charles Drake acted in?
Charles Drake has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Charles Drake?
Other notable films include "The Maltese Falcon", "Now, Voyager", and "Winchester '73".




