Charles Drake - Actor Profile

Charles Drake

Acting
Freshness: Jan 20, 2026
50Total Films
7.7 Highest Rated
Born: Oct 2, 1917
Birth Place: New York City, New York, USA

About 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.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
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".