
Nancy Kelly
ActingAbout Nancy Kelly
Nancy Kelly (March 25, 1921 – January 2, 1995) was an American actress. A child actress and model, she was a repertory cast member of CBS Radio's The March of Time and appeared in several films in the late 1920s. She became a leading lady upon returning to the screen in the late 1930s, while still in her teens, and made two dozen movies between 1938 and 1946, including portraying Tyrone Power's love interest in the classic Jesse James (1939), and playing opposite Spencer Tracy in Stanley and Livingstone later that same year. After turning to the stage in the late 1940s, she had her greatest success in a character role, the distraught mother in The Bad Seed, receiving a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for the 1955 stage production and an Academy Award nomination as Best Actress for the 1956 film adaptation, her last film role. Kelly then worked regularly in television until 1963, then took over the role of Martha in the original Broadway production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? for several months. She returned to television for a handful of appearances in the mid-1970s. Description above from the Wikipedia article Nancy Kelly, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Nancy Kelly reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 39 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Nancy Kelly'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 10% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Nancy Kelly remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Bad Seed, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Nancy Kelly Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Nancy Kelly's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Nancy Kelly.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Murder at the World Series | Alice Dakso | Hit | Similar → |
| 1975 | The Impostor | Victoria Kent | Average | Similar → |
| 1962 | The Storm | Janet Willsom | Flop | Similar → |
| 1957 | Circle of the Day | Barbara Millet | Flop | Similar → |
| 1956 | The Bad Seed | Christine Penmark | Hit | Similar → |
| 1956 | Crowded Paradise | Louise Heath | Flop | Similar → |
| 1946 | Murder in the Music Hall | Rita Morgan | Flop | Similar → |
| 1945 | Follow That Woman | Nancy Boone | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | Woman Who Came Back | Lorna Webster | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | Betrayal from the East | Peggy Harrison | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | Song of the Sarong | Sharon | Flop | Similar → |
| 1944 | Double Exposure | Pat Marvin | Average | Similar → |
| 1944 | Show Business | Nancy Gaye | Flop | Similar → |
| 1944 | Gambler's Choice | Mary Hayes / Vi Parker | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Tarzan's Desert Mystery | Connie Bryce | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Women in Bondage | Toni Hall | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Tornado | Victory Kane | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | To the Shores of Tripoli | Helene Hunt | Flop | Similar → |
| 1942 | Friendly Enemies | June Block | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Fly By Night | Pat Lindsay | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | Parachute Battalion | Kit Richards | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | A Very Young Lady | Alice Carter | Flop | Similar → |
| 1941 | Scotland Yard | Lady Sandra Lasher | Flop | Similar → |
| 1940 | One Night in the Tropics | Cynthia Merrick | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | Sailor's Lady | Sally Gilroy | Flop | Similar → |
| 1940 | Private Affairs | Jane Bullerton | Flop | Similar → |
| 1940 | He Married His Wife | Valerie | Flop | Similar → |
| 1939 | Stanley and Livingstone | Eve Kingsley | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Frontier Marshal | Sarah Allen | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Tail Spin | Lois Allen | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Jesse James | Zerelda "Zee" Cobb | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Submarine Patrol | Susan Leeds | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Convention Girl | Betty, Singer-Call Girl | Average | Similar → |
| 1929 | Glorifying the American Girl | Child (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1929 | The Girl on the Barge | Superior McCadden | Flop | Similar → |
| 1926 | The Great Gatsby | Pammy (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1926 | The Pig's Curly Tail | Little Girl | Flop | Similar → |
| 1926 | Mismates | Jimsy | Flop | Similar → |
| 1926 | The Untamed Lady | - | Flop | Similar → |
Nancy Kelly - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Nancy Kelly?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Nancy Kelly is "The Bad Seed" with a rating of 7.1/10.
How many movies has Nancy Kelly acted in?
Nancy Kelly has been featured in at least 39 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Nancy Kelly?
Other notable films include "Submarine Patrol", "Jesse James", and "Murder at the World Series".




