Bradford Dillman - Actor Profile

Bradford Dillman

Acting
Updated: May 09, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Apr 14, 1930
Birth Place: San Francisco, California, USA

About Bradford Dillman

Bradford Dillman was an American stage, screen, and television actor, as well as an author starred in the taut crime drama Compulsion (1959). The lanky, dark-haired Dillman also played Robert Redford's best friend J.J. in The Way We Were (1973). Dillman also appeared opposite Clint Eastwood in the Dirty Harry films The Enforcer (1976) and Sudden Impact (1983). In director Richard Fleischer's Compulsion, derived from the infamous Leopold & Loeb case of the 1920s, Dillman and Stockwell starred as the brazen killers Arthur A. Straus and Judd Steiner, respectively, who think they have committed the perfect murder. Dillman, Stockwell and Orson Welles (who played their attorney) shared best actor honors at the 1959 Cannes Film Festival. The Fox film was an adaptation of a Broadway hit, with Dillman taking on the role that Roddy McDowall had originated on the stage.

Bradford Dillman Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Bradford Dillman reflects a strong mix of popular and critically appreciated roles. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Bradford Dillman's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 68% of Bradford Dillman's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Murder or Mercy, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Bradford Dillman Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Bradford Dillman's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Bradford Dillman has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1989 Heroes Stand Alone Walt Simmons Hit Similar →
1987 The Man Outside Frank Simmons Super Hit Similar →
1983 Sudden Impact Captain Briggs Hit Similar →
1980 Tourist Harry Flemington Super Hit Similar →
1980 The Memory of Eva Ryker Jason Eddington Super Hit Similar →
1979 Love and Bullets Jim Brickman Average Similar →
1979 Jennifer: A Woman’s Story Donald Prince Hit Similar →
1978 Piranha Paul Grogan Average Similar →
1978 Inside 'the Swarm' Self Super Hit Similar →
1977 The Lincoln Conspiracy John Wilkes Booth Average Similar →
1977 The Hostage Heart Dr. Eric Lake Super Hit Similar →
1976 The Enforcer Captain McKay Hit Similar →
1976 Kingston Avery Stanton Super Hit Similar →
1976 Street Killing Howard Bronstein Super Hit Similar →
1976 Widow Richard Super Hit Similar →
1976 One Away Ruben Bass Average Similar →
1975 Demon, Demon Sam Hit Similar →
1975 Death in Deep Water Gary Stevens Hit Similar →
1975 The Next Voice You See Stan Kay Super Hit Similar →
1975 Force Five Michael Dominick Hit Similar →
1975 The Legendary Curse of the Hope Diamond Ned McLean Hit Similar →
1975 Please Call It Murder Lt. Danny Ianello Super Hit Similar →
1974 Gold Manfred Steyner Average Similar →
1974 Chosen Survivors Peter Macomber Average Similar →
1974 Last Bride Of Salem Matt Clifton Hit Similar →
1974 Murder or Mercy Sam Champion Super Hit Similar →
1973 The Iceman Cometh Willie Oban Average Similar →
1973 The Way We Were J.J. Hit Similar →
1973 Deliver Us from Evil Steven Dennis Super Hit Similar →
1972 The Delphi Bureau: The Merchant of Death Assignment Randy Jamison Super Hit Similar →
1972 The Eyes of Charles Sand Jeffrey Winslow Average Similar →
1971 The Resurrection of Zachary Wheeler Sen. Clayton Zachary Wheeler Average Similar →
1971 Revenge! Frank Klaner Hit Similar →
1971 Five Desperate Women Jim Meeker Average Similar →
1971 Brother John Lloyd Thomas Average Similar →
1971 Escape from the Planet of the Apes Dr. Lewis Dixon Average Similar →
1971 The Mephisto Waltz Bill Delancey Average Similar →
1971 Longstreet Duke Paige Super Hit Similar →
1969 The Bridge at Remagen Maj. Barnes Hit Similar →
1969 Fear No Evil Paul Varney Hit Similar →
1968 Jigsaw Jonathan Fields Hit Similar →
1968 Sergeant Ryker Capt. David Young Average Similar →
1962 Jane Self Hit Similar →
1961 Francis of Assisi Francis Bernardone of Assisi Super Hit Similar →
1960 Circle of Deception Capt. Paul Raine Average Similar →
1960 Crack in the Mirror Larnier / Claude Super Hit Similar →
1959 Compulsion Arthur A. Straus Hit Similar →
1958 In Love and War Alan Newcombe Hit Similar →
1958 A Certain Smile Bertrand Griot Average Similar →
1953 Keep Our Honor Bright Student Hit Similar →

Bradford Dillman - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Bradford Dillman?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Bradford Dillman is "Murder or Mercy" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Bradford Dillman acted in?

Bradford Dillman has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Bradford Dillman?

Other notable films include "Kingston", "Widow", and "Street Killing".

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