Jack MacGowran - Actor Profile

Jack MacGowran

Acting
Freshness: Jan 13, 2026
44Total Films
9.0 Highest Rated
Born: Oct 13, 1918
Birth Place: Dublin, Ireland

About Jack MacGowran

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. John Joseph "Jack" MacGowran (October 13, 1918 – January 31, 1973) was an Irish character actor, whose last film role was as the alcoholic director Burke Dennings in The Exorcist. He was probably best known for his work with Samuel Beckett. Description above from the Wikipedia article Jack MacGowran , licensed under CC-BY-SA,full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Jack MacGowran reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 44 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Jack MacGowran'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 25% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Jack MacGowran remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in I Captured the King of the Leprechauns, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Jack MacGowran Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Jack MacGowran's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Jack MacGowran.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1973 The Exorcist Burke Dennings Super Hit Similar →
1972 The Shadow of a Gunman Seumas Shields Flop Similar →
1970 King Lear Fool Average Similar →
1970 A Day at the Beach Collector Flop Similar →
1970 Start the Revolution Without Me Jacques Average Similar →
1970 The Yin and the Yang of Mr. Go Leo Zimmerman Flop Similar →
N/A Third Eye - Flop Similar →
1969 Age of Consent Nat Kelly Average Similar →
1968 There's a Hole in Your Dustbin, Delilah 'Cheese and Egg' C.E. Petty Flop Similar →
1968 Faithful Departed narrator Flop Similar →
1968 Wonderwall Prof. Oscar Collins Flop Similar →
1967 The Fearless Vampire Killers Professor Abronsius Hit Similar →
1967 How I Won the War Juniper Average Similar →
1967 The Inn Way Out Irish Poet Flop Similar →
1966 Eh, Joe? Joe Flop Similar →
1966 Cul-de-sac Albie Hit Similar →
1966 The Stable Door - Flop Similar →
1966 Silent Song Brother Michael Flop Similar →
1965 Doctor Zhivago Petya Super Hit Similar →
1965 Young Cassidy Archie Average Similar →
1965 Lord Jim Robinson Hit Similar →
1965 Beginning to End Man Flop Similar →
1963 The Ceremony O'Brian Flop Similar →
1963 Tom Jones Partridge Average Similar →
1962 The Brain Furber Average Similar →
1962 Mix Me a Person Terence Average Similar →
1962 Captain Clegg Frightened Man Average Similar →
1962 Two and Two Make Six Night Porter Average Similar →
1959 Blind Date Postman Average Similar →
1959 The Boy and the Bridge Market Porter Flop Similar →
1959 Darby O'Gill and the Little People Phadrig Oge Hit Similar →
1959 I Captured the King of the Leprechauns Phadrig Oge Super Hit Similar →
1959 The Giant Behemoth Dr. Sampson, the paleontologist Average Similar →
1958 She Didn't Say No! William Bates Average Similar →
1958 Rooney Joe O'Connor Average Similar →
1957 The Rising of the Moon Mickey J., The Poitín Maker (segment 'The Majesty of the Law') Hit Similar →
1957 Manuela Tommy Average Similar →
1956 Jacqueline Campbell Average Similar →
1953 The Titfield Thunderbolt Vernon Crump (as Jack McGowran) Hit Similar →
1953 The Titfield Thunderbolt Vernon Crump Hit Similar →
1953 Time Bomb - Flop Similar →
1952 The Gentle Gunman Patsy McGuire Average Similar →
1952 The Quiet Man Ignatius Feeney Hit Similar →
1951 No Resting Place Billy Kyle Flop Similar →

Jack MacGowran - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Jack MacGowran?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Jack MacGowran is "I Captured the King of the Leprechauns" with a rating of 9.0/10.

How many movies has Jack MacGowran acted in?

Jack MacGowran has been featured in at least 44 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Jack MacGowran?

Other notable films include "The Exorcist", "Doctor Zhivago", and "The Quiet Man".