Burl Ives - Actor Profile

Burl Ives

Acting
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Jun 14, 1909
Birth Place: Hunt City, Illinois, USA

About Burl Ives

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives (June 14, 1909 – April 14, 1995) was an American singer and actor of stage, screen, radio and television. Ives began as an itinerant singer and banjoist, and launched his own radio show, The Wayfaring Stranger, which popularized traditional folk songs. In 1942 he appeared in Irving Berlin's This Is the Army, and then became a major star of CBS radio. In the 1960s he successfully crossed over into country music, recording hits such as "A Little Bitty Tear" and "Funny Way of Laughin'". A popular film actor through the late 1940s and '50s, Ives's best-known film roles included parts in So Dear to My Heart (1949) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), as well as Rufus Hannassey in The Big Country (1958), for which he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Ives is often remembered for his voice-over work as Sam the Snowman, narrator of the classic 1964 Christmas television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, which continues to air annually around Christmas.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Burl Ives 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 Burl Ives'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 32% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Burl Ives remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Tennessee Williams' South, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Burl Ives Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Burl Ives's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Burl Ives.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2019 My Music: A Classic Christmas Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
1994 Tennessee Williams: Orpheus of the American Stage Big Daddy (archive footage) Flop Similar →
1989 Thomas Hart Benton Himself Super Hit Similar →
1988 Two Moon Junction Sheriff Earl Hawkins Average Similar →
1987 A Down Home Country Christmas Self Flop Similar →
1986 Uphill All the Way Sheriff John Catledge Flop Similar →
1984 The Ewok Adventure Narrator (voice) Average Similar →
1984 DTV: Golden Oldies Self Flop Similar →
1982 White Dog Carruthers Hit Similar →
1981 Earthbound Ned Anderson Flop Similar →
1981 Sam Fuller: Writings with a Camera Himself Flop Similar →
1979 Just You and Me, Kid Max Flop Similar →
1978 The New Adventures of Heidi Grandfather Flop Similar →
1978 The Bermuda Depths Dr. Paulis Flop Similar →
1976 Baker's Hawk Mr. McGraw Average Similar →
1976 The First Easter Rabbit Narrator / Older Stuffy (voice) Average Similar →
1975 Gifts of an Eagle - Flop Similar →
1973 Tennessee Williams' South - Super Hit Similar →
1970 The Man Who Wanted to Live Forever T.M. Trask Flop Similar →
1970 The McMasters McMasters Flop Similar →
1969 The Whole World Is Watching Walter Nichols Flop Similar →
1968 The Sound of Anger Walter Nichols Flop Similar →
1968 Pinocchio Geppetto Flop Similar →
1968 The Other Side of Bonnie and Clyde Narrator (voice) Flop Similar →
1967 Jules Verne's Rocket to the Moon Phineas T. Barnum Average Similar →
1966 The Daydreamer Father Neptune (voice) Flop Similar →
1964 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Sam the Snowman (voice) Hit Similar →
1964 Ensign Pulver Captain Morton Hit Similar →
1964 The Brass Bottle Fakrash Average Similar →
1963 Summer Magic Osh Popham Hit Similar →
1963 I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly - Average Similar →
1962 Mediterranean Holiday Narrator (US Version) (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1962 The Spiral Road Dr. Brits Jansen Flop Similar →
1960 Let No Man Write My Epitaph Judge Bruce Mallory Sullivan Average Similar →
1960 Our Man in Havana Dr. Hasselbacher Hit Similar →
1959 Day of the Outlaw Jack Bruhn Hit Similar →
1958 The Big Country Rufus Hannassey Super Hit Similar →
1958 Wind Across the Everglades Cottonmouth Average Similar →
1958 Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Harvey 'Big Daddy' Pollitt Super Hit Similar →
1958 Desire Under the Elms Éphraïm Cabot Hit Similar →
1958 Fun in the Big Country Self Flop Similar →
1957 The Miracle Worker Captain Keller Flop Similar →
1956 The Power and the Prize George Salt Average Similar →
1955 East of Eden Sam the Sheriff Super Hit Similar →
1950 Sierra Lonesome Flop Similar →
1948 So Dear to My Heart Uncle Hiram Douglas Hit Similar →
1948 Station West Hotel Clerk (uncredited) Average Similar →
1948 Green Grass of Wyoming Gus Hit Similar →
1946 Smoky Willie Flop Similar →
1940 Tall Tales Self Flop Similar →

Burl Ives - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Burl Ives?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Burl Ives is "Tennessee Williams' South" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Burl Ives acted in?

Burl Ives has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Burl Ives?

Other notable films include "Mediterranean Holiday", "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", and "The Big Country".