James Karen

Acting

Freshness: Jan 13, 2026

50Total Films

9.3 Highest Rated

Born: Nov 28, 1923

Birth Place: Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, USA

About James Karen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. James Karen (November 28, 1923 - October 23, 2018) was an American character actor of Broadway, film and television. Description above from the Wikipedia article James Karen, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of James Karen 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 James Karen'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 58% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), James Karen remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Cowboy and the Movie Star, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best James Karen Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from James Karen's career based on audience ratings.

★9.3

The Cowboy and the Movie Star (1998) movie poster

★9.3

The Cowboy and the Movie Star — Depressed at the thought of losing his family ranch to settle his divorce, cowboy Clint Brannan decides to drive his cat

The Cowboy and the Movie Star

1998•Drama

★9.0

Making Pursuit: An Italian Take on the American Dream (2007) movie poster

★9.0

Making Pursuit: An Italian Take on the American Dream — This is a "making of" documentary for the hit film "The Pursuit of Happyness". It chronicles a foreign director's perspe

Making Pursuit: An Italian Take on the American Dream

2007•Documentary

★8.0

The China Syndrome: A Fusion of Talent (2004) movie poster

★8.0

The China Syndrome: A Fusion of Talent — Behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of "The China Syndrome."

The China Syndrome: A Fusion of Talent

2004•Documentary

★7.9

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) movie poster

★7.9

The Pursuit of Happyness — A struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional career.

The Pursuit of Happyness

2006•Drama

★7.8

★7.8

Mulholland Drive — Blonde Betty Elms has only just arrived in Hollywood to become a movie star when she meets an enigmatic brunette with am

Mulholland Drive

2001•Thriller

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of James Karen.

Year	Movie	Character	Success	More
2018	The Great Buster: A Celebration	Self	Hit	Similar →
2012	The Butterfly Room	Sales Clerk	Average	Similar →
2011	More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead	Himself	Hit	Similar →
2011	They Won't Stay Dead: A Look at 'Return of the Living Dead Part II'	Himself	Average	Similar →
2010	Sympathy for Delicious	Father Rohn	Average	Similar →
2009	Dark and Stormy Night	Seyton Ethelquake	Average	Similar →
2007	Making Pursuit: An Italian Take on the American Dream	Self	Super Hit	Similar →
2006	The Pursuit of Happyness	Martin Frohm	Super Hit	Similar →
2006	Superman Returns	Ben Hubbard	Average	Similar →
2004	So Funny It Hurt: Buster Keaton & MGM	Self - Host / Narrator	Hit	Similar →
2004	The China Syndrome: A Fusion of Talent	Self	Super Hit	Similar →
2004	The China Syndrome: Creating a Controversy	Self	Average	Similar →
2001	Mulholland Drive	Wally Brown	Super Hit	Similar →
2000	Thirteen Days	George Ball	Hit	Similar →
1999	Any Given Sunday	Christina's Advisor	Hit	Similar →
1999	My Last Love	Phil Morton	Average	Similar →
1998	Apt Pupil	Victor Bowden	Hit	Similar →
1998	Universal Horror	Self - Interviewee	Hit	Similar →
1998	The Cowboy and the Movie Star	Brad Peters	Super Hit	Similar →
1997	Nightman	Secretary of Defense Laughton	Average	Similar →
1996	Up Close & Personal	Tom Orr	Average	Similar →
1995	Nixon	Bill Rogers	Hit	Similar →
1995	Congo	College President / Elliot's Boss	Average	Similar →
1995	Bonanza: Under Attack	Mr. Stewart	Hit	Similar →
1993	A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion	Assistant District Attorney Al Sampson	Super Hit	Similar →
1990	Thanksgiving Day	Averill Crandall	Average	Similar →
1988	Return of the Living Dead Part II	Ed	Average	Similar →
1987	Wall Street	Lynch	Hit	Similar →
1987	Drive-In Madness!	Himself / Host / Narrator	Average	Similar →
1986	Invaders from Mars	Gen. Climet Wilson	Average	Similar →
1985	Jagged Edge	Andrew Hardesty	Average	Similar →
1985	The Return of the Living Dead	Frank	Hit	Similar →
1984	Sam's Son	Mr. Collins	Average	Similar →
1984	Little House: The Last Farewell	Nathan Lassiter	Hit	Similar →
1982	Kiss Me Goodbye	Lawyer	Average	Similar →
1982	Frances	Juge Hillier	Hit	Similar →
1982	Poltergeist	Mr. Teague	Hit	Similar →
1980	The Jazz Singer	Barney Callahan	Average	Similar →
1980	F.D.R.: The Last Year	Adm. McIntire	Average	Similar →
1979	The China Syndrome	Mac Churchill	Hit	Similar →
1979	The Ordeal of Patty Hearst	Psychologist	Average	Similar →
1978	F.I.S.T.	Andrews	Hit	Similar →
1977	Opening Night	Bellboy	Super Hit	Similar →
1977	Capricorn One	Vice President Price	Hit	Similar →
1977	Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night	Dr. Sutterman	Hit	Similar →
1977	Something for Joey	Dr. Wingreen	Average	Similar →
1976	All the President's Men	Hugh Sloan's Lawyer	Super Hit	Similar →
1974	Amazing Grace	Annenberg	Hit	Similar →
1970	I Never Sang for My Father	Old Age Home Director	Hit	Similar →
1965	Film	Passerby	Hit	Similar →

James Karen - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of James Karen?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring James Karen is "The Cowboy and the Movie Star" with a rating of 9.3/10.

How many movies has James Karen acted in?

James Karen has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by James Karen?

Other notable films include "Making Pursuit: An Italian Take on the American Dream", "The China Syndrome: A Fusion of Talent", and "The Pursuit of Happyness".