
Mary Murphy
ActingAbout Mary Murphy
Mary Murphy (January 26, 1931 – May 4, 2011) was an American film actress of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. She was born in Washington, D.C., before moving to Los Angeles. Shortly out of high school she was signed to appear in films for Paramount Pictures in the late 1940s. Murphy first gained attention in 1953, when she played a good-hearted girl who tries to reform Marlon Brando in The Wild One. The following year, she appeared opposite Tony Curtis in Beachhead, and the year after that as Fredric March's daughter in the thriller The Desperate Hours, which also starred Humphrey Bogart. She co-starred with actor-director Ray Milland in his Western A Man Alone, and appeared in dozens of television series including Perry Mason, I Spy and Ironside. She was long absent from the big screen before acting in 1972 with Steve McQueen in the Sam Peckinpah film Junior Bonner. She had retired from acting by the 1980s. Murphy died from heart disease complications on May 4, 2011; she was 80 years old. Description above from the Wikipedia article Mary Murphy (actress), licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Mary Murphy reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 32 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Mary Murphy'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 19% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Mary Murphy remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Desperate Hours, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Mary Murphy Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Mary Murphy's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Mary Murphy.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Born Innocent | Miss Murphy | Average | Similar → |
| 1975 | Katherine | Miss Collins | Average | Similar → |
| 1974 | The Stranger Who Looks Like Me | Mrs. Quayle | Average | Similar → |
| 1974 | I Love You...Good-bye | Pam Parks | Flop | Similar → |
| 1972 | Footsteps | Martha Hagger | Flop | Similar → |
| 1972 | Junior Bonner | Ruth Bonner | Average | Similar → |
| 1965 | Harlow | Sally Doane | Flop | Similar → |
| 1962 | 40 Pounds of Trouble | Liz McCluskey | Flop | Similar → |
| 1962 | Two Before Zero | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1959 | Crime and Punishment USA | Sally Marmon | Flop | Similar → |
| 1958 | Live Fast, Die Young | Kim Winters / Narrator | Average | Similar → |
| 1958 | Escapement | Ruth Vance | Flop | Similar → |
| 1956 | The Intimate Stranger | Evelyn Stewart | Average | Similar → |
| 1956 | The Maverick Queen | Lucy Lee | Average | Similar → |
| 1955 | A Man Alone | Nadine Corrigan | Average | Similar → |
| 1955 | The Desperate Hours | Cynthia 'Cindy' Hilliard | Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | Hell's Island | Janet Martin | Flop | Similar → |
| 1954 | Sitting Bull | Kathy Howell | Flop | Similar → |
| 1954 | The Mad Magician | Karen Lee | Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | Make Haste to Live | Randy Benson | Average | Similar → |
| 1954 | Beachhead | Nina Bouchard | Average | Similar → |
| 1953 | The Wild One | Kathie Bleeker | Hit | Similar → |
| 1953 | Main Street to Broadway | Mary Craig | Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | Off Limits | WAC | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | Carrie | Jessica Hurstwood | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | The Turning Point | Secretary (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | The Atomic City | Young Woman Buying Stamps | Flop | Similar → |
| 1952 | Sailor Beware | Girl (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | Westward the Women | Pioneer Woman (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | When Worlds Collide | Student | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | Darling, How Could You! | Sylvia | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | The Lemon Drop Kid | Girl (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
Mary Murphy - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Mary Murphy?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Mary Murphy is "The Desperate Hours" with a rating of 7.0/10.
How many movies has Mary Murphy acted in?
Mary Murphy has been featured in at least 32 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Mary Murphy?
Other notable films include "Westward the Women", "The Mad Magician", and "The Wild One".




