Nancy Kelly - Actor Profile

Nancy Kelly

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
39Total Films
7.1 Highest Rated
Born: Mar 25, 1921
Birth Place: Lowell, Massachusetts, USA

About 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.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
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".