Rod Steiger - Actor Profile

Rod Steiger

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Apr 14, 1925
Birth Place: Westhampton, New York, USA

About Rod Steiger

Rodney Stephen "Rod" Steiger (April 14, 1925 – July 9, 2002) was a European-American actor known for his performances in such films as In the Heat of the Night, Oklahoma!, Waterloo, The Pawnbroker, On the Waterfront, The Harder They Fall, Doctor Zhivago, and Jesus of Nazareth.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Rod Steiger reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Rod Steiger'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 84% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Rod Steiger remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in MGM 40th Anniversary, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Rod Steiger Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Rod Steiger's career based on audience ratings.

★10.0
MGM 40th Anniversary (1964) movie poster
★10.0

MGM 40th Anniversary — A brief overview of stellar MGM releases from its first 40 years.

MGM 40th Anniversary

1964
★9.0
Animated Epics: Moby Dick (2000) movie poster
★9.0

Animated Epics: Moby Dick — Paint-on-glass animation of the classic novel.

Animated Epics: Moby Dick

2000•Animation
★8.7
James Dean and Me (1995) movie poster
★8.7

James Dean and Me — A documentary about James Dean. People who knew him or had worked with him reminisce.

James Dean and Me

1995•Documentary
★8.2
Forbidden City: The Great Within (1995) movie poster
★8.2

Forbidden City: The Great Within — Amidst the grand walls of the Forbidden City, the film takes us on a deep journey through the ceremonial life of the Chi

Forbidden City: The Great Within

1995•Documentary
★8.0
Marty (1953) movie poster
★8.0

Marty — Marty Pilletti is a 36-year-old butcher who lives with his mother, who is always asking him why he doesn't find a nice g

Marty

1953•Drama

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Rod Steiger.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2017 I Am Not Your Negro Self Super Hit Similar →
2004 Imaginary Witness: Hollywood and the Holocaust Self Hit Similar →
2002 Poolhall Junkies Nick Average Similar →
2001 Muhammad Ali - Through The Eyes Of The World Self Hit Similar →
2001 Contender: Mastering the Method Self Hit Similar →
2000 Animated Epics: Moby Dick Ahab (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1999 The Hurricane Judge Sarokin Hit Similar →
1998 Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's Self Hit Similar →
1998 Animals with the Tollkeeper Fontina Hit Similar →
1997 Truth or Consequences, N.M. Tony Vago Average Similar →
1996 Mars Attacks! General Decker Average Similar →
1996 The Real Thing Victor Hit Similar →
1995 Captain Nuke and the Bomber Boys The President Hit Similar →
1995 Forbidden City: The Great Within Narrator (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1995 Seven Sundays Benjamin Hit Similar →
1995 James Dean and Me Self (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1992 Lincoln Gen. Ulysses S. Grant (voice) Hit Similar →
1992 Earth and the American Dream Reader (voice) Hit Similar →
1992 The Player Rod Steiger Hit Similar →
1988 Hello Actors Studio Self Hit Similar →
1986 Sword of Gideon Mordechai Samuels Hit Similar →
1981 The Chosen Reb Saunders Hit Similar →
1981 Lion of the Desert Benito Mussolini Hit Similar →
1979 The Amityville Horror Father Delaney Average Similar →
1978 F.I.S.T. Sen. Andrew Madison Hit Similar →
1976 W.C. Fields and Me W. C. Fields Super Hit Similar →
1974 The Last Four Days Mussolini Average Similar →
1973 Lucky Luciano Gene Giannini Average Similar →
1971 Duck, You Sucker Juan Miranda Super Hit Similar →
1970 Waterloo Napoleon Bonaparte Hit Similar →
1968 No Way to Treat a Lady Christopher Gill Hit Similar →
1967 In the Heat of the Night Police Chief Bill Gillespie Super Hit Similar →
1965 Doctor Zhivago Viktor Komarovsky Super Hit Similar →
1965 A Man Named John The Intermediary Average Similar →
1965 The Pawnbroker Sol Nazerman Hit Similar →
1964 MGM 40th Anniversary - Super Hit Similar →
1963 Hands Over the City Edoardo Nottola Hit Similar →
1962 The Longest Day Destroyer Commander Super Hit Similar →
1961 On Friday at Eleven Frank Morgan Hit Similar →
1960 Seven Thieves Paul Mason Hit Similar →
1959 Al Capone Al Capone Hit Similar →
1958 Cry Terror! Paul Hoplin Average Similar →
1957 Across the Bridge Carl Schaffner Hit Similar →
1956 Back from Eternity Vasquel Hit Similar →
1956 The Harder They Fall Nick Benko Hit Similar →
1956 Jubal Pinky Hit Similar →
1955 The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell Maj. Allan Guillion Hit Similar →
1955 Oklahoma! Jud Fry Hit Similar →
1954 On the Waterfront Charley Malloy Super Hit Similar →
1953 Marty Marty Pilletti Super Hit Similar →

Rod Steiger - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Rod Steiger?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Rod Steiger is "MGM 40th Anniversary" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Rod Steiger acted in?

Rod Steiger has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Rod Steiger?

Other notable films include "Animated Epics: Moby Dick", "James Dean and Me", and "Forbidden City: The Great Within".