Roddy McDowall - Actor Profile

Roddy McDowall

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Sep 17, 1928
Birth Place: London, England, UK

About Roddy McDowall

Roderick Andrew Anthony Jude McDowall (17 September 1928 – 3 October 1998) was an English-American actor, director, and photographer. He is best known for portraying Cornelius and Caesar in the original Planet of the Apes film series, as well as Galen in the spin-off television series.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Roddy McDowall 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 Roddy McDowall'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 100% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Roddy McDowall remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Keepers of the Frame, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Roddy McDowall Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Roddy McDowall's career based on audience ratings.

★10.0
Keepers of the Frame (1999) movie poster
★10.0

Keepers of the Frame — An exploration of film preservation and restoration in the United States.

Keepers of the Frame

1999•Documentary
★10.0
Hart to Hart (1979) movie poster
★10.0

Hart to Hart — In this pilot film, a friend of Jonathan Hart's is killed in a motor accident just after he has left a health farm, appa

Hart to Hart

1979•Action
★8.5
The Making of Agatha Christie's 'Evil Under the Sun' (1982) movie poster
★8.5

The Making of Agatha Christie's 'Evil Under the Sun' — Director Guy Hamilton and several of the stars of Agatha Christie's "Evil Under The Sun" walk you through the making of

The Making of Agatha Christie's 'Evil Under the Sun'

1982•Documentary
★8.1
I See Ice (1938) movie poster
★8.1

I See Ice — George Bright is a props man in an ice ballet company, and a keen amateur photographer who accidentally snaps crooks at

I See Ice

1938•Comedy
★8.1
Planet of the Apes: A Milestone of Science Fiction (2024) movie poster
★8.1

Planet of the Apes: A Milestone of Science Fiction — Since its release in 1968, Planet of the Apes, the masterful film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starring Charlto

Planet of the Apes: A Milestone of Science Fiction

2024•Documentary

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Roddy McDowall.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2024 Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2024 Planet of the Apes: A Milestone of Science Fiction Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2001 Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1999 Keepers of the Frame Himself Super Hit Similar →
1998 A Bug's Life Mr. Soil (voice) Hit Similar →
1998 Beyond Titanic Self Super Hit Similar →
1998 Behind the Planet of the Apes Self - Host Hit Similar →
1998 Louise Brooks: Looking for Lulu Himself - Actor / Friend Hit Similar →
1997 Obsessed with Vertigo Narrator (Voice) Hit Similar →
1997 Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down The Line Self Super Hit Similar →
1997 Audrey Hepburn: The Fairest Lady Self Super Hit Similar →
1997 Twentieth Century Fox: The First 50 Years Self Hit Similar →
1992 The Magical World of Chuck Jones Self Super Hit Similar →
1989 Harold Lloyd: The Third Genius Self Hit Similar →
1987 Overboard Andrew Hit Similar →
1985 Fright Night Peter Vincent Hit Similar →
1982 Evil Under the Sun Rex Brewster Hit Similar →
1982 The Making of Agatha Christie's 'Evil Under the Sun' Self / Rex Brewster Super Hit Similar →
1980 Life, Liberty and Pursuit on the Planet of the Apes Galen Hit Similar →
1980 Treachery and Greed on the Planet of the Apes Galen Super Hit Similar →
1980 The Forgotten City of the Planet of the Apes Galen Super Hit Similar →
1979 Hart to Hart Dr. Peterson Super Hit Similar →
1976 That's Entertainment, Part II (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1976 It's Showtime Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1973 Miracle on 34th Street Dr. Sawyer Hit Similar →
1973 The Legend of Hell House Benjamin Franklin Fischer Hit Similar →
1972 The Poseidon Adventure Acres Hit Similar →
1971 Bedknobs and Broomsticks Mr. Jelk Hit Similar →
1971 Terror in the Sky Dr. Ralph Baird Hit Similar →
1969 Night Gallery Jeremy Evans Hit Similar →
1968 Planet of the Apes Cornelius Super Hit Similar →
1967 The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin Bullwhip Griffin Hit Similar →
1965 That Darn Cat! Gregory Benson Hit Similar →
1964 Shock Treatment Martin Ashley Hit Similar →
1963 Cleopatra Octavian - Caesar Augustus Hit Similar →
1962 The Longest Day Pvt. Morris Super Hit Similar →
1960 Midnight Lace Malcolm Hit Similar →
1958 The Big Country Hannassey Watchman (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1948 Macbeth Malcolm Hit Similar →
1945 Thunderhead: Son of Flicka Ken McLaughlin Hit Similar →
1944 The Keys of the Kingdom Francis Chisholm, as a boy Hit Similar →
1944 The White Cliffs of Dover John Ashwood II as a Boy Hit Similar →
1943 Lassie Come Home Joe Carraclough Hit Similar →
1942 The Pied Piper Ronnie Cavanaugh Hit Similar →
1942 Son of Fury: The Story of Benjamin Blake Benjamin - as a Boy Hit Similar →
1941 How Green Was My Valley Huw Morgan Hit Similar →
1941 Man Hunt Vaner Hit Similar →
1938 Hey! Hey! USA Boy Hit Similar →
1938 Convict 99 Jimmy Hit Similar →
1938 I See Ice Boy on train Super Hit Similar →

Roddy McDowall - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Roddy McDowall?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Roddy McDowall is "Keepers of the Frame" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Roddy McDowall acted in?

Roddy McDowall has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Roddy McDowall?

Other notable films include "Hart to Hart", "The Making of Agatha Christie's 'Evil Under the Sun'", and "I See Ice".