Ben Gazzara - Actor Profile

Ben Gazzara

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Aug 28, 1930
Birth Place: Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

About Ben Gazzara

Biagio Anthony Gazzarra (August 28, 1930 – February 3, 2012), known as Ben Gazzara, was an American film, stage, and television actor and director. His best known films include Anatomy of a Murder (1959), Voyage of the Damned (1976), Inchon (1981), Road House (1989), The Big Lebowski (1998), Happiness (1998), The Thomas Crown Affair (1999), Summer of Sam (1999), Dogville (2003) and Paris, je t'aime (2006). He was a recurring collaborator with John Cassavetes, working with him on Husbands (1970), The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976) and Opening Night (1977). As the star of the television series Run for Your Life (1965-1968), Gazzarra was nominated for three Golden Globe Awards and two Emmy Awards. He won his first, and only, Emmy Award for his role in the television film Hysterical Blindness (2002).

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Ben Gazzara reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Ben Gazzara'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 64% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Ben Gazzara remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Family Rico, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Ben Gazzara Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Ben Gazzara's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Ben Gazzara.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2014 Giuseppe Tornatore - Ogni film un'opera prima Self Super Hit Similar →
2014 One Day Since Yesterday: Peter Bogdanovich & the Lost American Film Self Hit Similar →
2012 Ristabbanna - Average Similar →
2010 13 Schlondorff Average Similar →
2008 Eve Joe Average Similar →
2008 Beyond Wiseguys: Italian Americans & the Movies - Hit Similar →
2006 Paris Je T'aime Ben (Quartier Latin) Hit Similar →
2005 The Shore Mr. Bob Harris Average Similar →
2004 Los Angeles Plays Itself Jackie Treehorn in The Big Lebowski (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2004 Dogville Confessions Self Hit Similar →
2003 Dogville Jack McKay Super Hit Similar →
2003 Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There Self Hit Similar →
2002 Hysterical Blindness Nick Average Similar →
2001 Brian's Song Coach Halas Average Similar →
2000 A Constant Forge Self Hit Similar →
2000 Shark in a Bottle The Arranger Average Similar →
1999 The Thomas Crown Affair Andrew Wallace Hit Similar →
1999 Summer of Sam Luigi Hit Similar →
1999 Paradise Cove Duke Mantee Average Similar →
1998 Happiness Lenny Jordan Hit Similar →
1998 Marilyn in Manhattan Self Super Hit Similar →
1998 The Big Lebowski Jackie Treehorn Super Hit Similar →
1998 Buffalo '66 Jimmy Brown Hit Similar →
1997 The Spanish Prisoner Mr. Klein Hit Similar →
1995 Convict Cowboy Warden Ferguson Average Similar →
1993 Anything for John Self Average Similar →
1989 Road House Brad Wesley Hit Similar →
1988 Don Bosco Don Giovanni Bosco Average Similar →
1987 James Stewart: A Wonderful Life Self (archive footage) Average Similar →
1987 Downpayment on Murder Harry Cardell Average Similar →
1986 The Professor 'O Professore di Vesuviano Hit Similar →
1985 Woman of Wonders Alberto Hit Similar →
1985 Night of 100 Stars II Self Super Hit Similar →
1982 A Question of Honor Detective Joe DeFalco Hit Similar →
1982 Oops, Those Hollywood Bloopers! Self (archive footage) Average Similar →
1981 Droit de Réponse Self Super Hit Similar →
1981 Tales of Ordinary Madness Charles Serking Average Similar →
1979 Saint Jack Jack Flowers Hit Similar →
1977 Opening Night Manny Victor Super Hit Similar →
1977 The Death of Richie George Werner Hit Similar →
1976 Voyage of the Damned Morris Troper Average Similar →
1976 The Killing of a Chinese Bookie Cosmo Vittelli Hit Similar →
1972 The Sicilian Connection Joseph Coppola Average Similar →
1972 The Family Rico Eddie Rico Super Hit Similar →
1970 Husbands Harry Hit Similar →
1970 King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1969 The Bridge at Remagen Sgt. Angelo Hit Similar →
1960 The Passionate Thief Lello Hit Similar →
1959 Anatomy of a Murder Lieutenant Frederick "Manny" Manion Super Hit Similar →
1957 The Strange One Jocko de Paris Average Similar →

Ben Gazzara - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Ben Gazzara?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Ben Gazzara is "The Family Rico" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Ben Gazzara acted in?

Ben Gazzara has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Ben Gazzara?

Other notable films include "Giuseppe Tornatore - Ogni film un'opera prima", "Droit de Réponse", and "Night of 100 Stars II".