Brian Donlevy
ActingAbout Brian Donlevy
Brian Donlevy (February 9, 1901 – April 5, 1972) was an Ulster-born American film actor, noted for playing tough guys from the 1930s to the 1960s. He usually appeared in supporting roles. Among his best known films are Beau Geste (1939) and The Great McGinty (1940). For his role as Sergeant Markoff in Beau Geste he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. His obituary in The Times newspaper in the United Kingdom stated that "any consideration of the American 'film noir' of the 1940s would be incomplete without him".
Brian Donlevy Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Brian Donlevy reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Brian Donlevy's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 100% of Brian Donlevy'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 Behind Prison Gates, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Brian Donlevy Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Brian Donlevy's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Brian Donlevy has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down the Line | Self (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid | (in "The Glass Key") (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1969 | Pit Stop | Grant Willard | Hit | Similar → |
| 1968 | Rogue's Gallery | Detective Lee | Hit | Similar → |
| 1966 | Waco | Ace Ross | Hit | Similar → |
| 1964 | The Big Parade of Comedy | Kurt Devlynne in 'A Southern Yankee' (arch. foot.) (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1959 | Juke Box Rhythm | George Manton | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | Escape from Red Rock | Bronc Grierson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | The Quatermass Xperiment | Prof. Bernard Quatermass | Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | The Big Combo | Joe McClure | Hit | Similar → |
| 1953 | Woman They Almost Lynched | Charles Quantrill | Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | Ride the Man Down | Bide Marriner | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | Hoodlum Empire | Sen. William J. 'Bill' Stephens | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | Fighting Coast Guard | Cmdr. McFarland | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | Command Decision | Brigadier General Clifton I. Garnet | Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | Heaven Only Knows | Adam 'Duke' Byron | Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | Kiss of Death | Assistant D.A. Louis D'Angelo | Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | The Trouble with Women | Joe McBride | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | Song of Scheherazade | Capt. Vladimir Gregorovitch | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | Two Years Before the Mast | Richard Henry Dana | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | Canyon Passage | George Camrose | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | The Miracle of Morgan's Creek | Governor McGinty | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | Twenty Years After | (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Hangmen Also Die! | Dr. Franticek Svoboda | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Stand by for Action | Lieut. Cmdr. Martin Roberts | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | The Glass Key | Paul Madvig | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | The Remarkable Andrew | General Andrew Jackson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Hold Back the Dawn | Movie Actor (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | The Great McGinty | Daniel 'Dan' McGinty | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Destry Rides Again | Kent | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Behind Prison Gates | Agent Norman Craig / Red Murray | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Beau Geste | Sergeant Markoff | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Union Pacific | Sid Campeau | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Jesse James | Barshee | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Sharpshooters | Steve Mitchell | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | In Old Chicago | Gil Warren | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | This Is My Affair | Batiste Duryea | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Half Angel | Duffy Giles | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Human Cargo | Packy Campbell | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Strike Me Pink | Vance | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Mary Burns, Fugitive | Spike | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Barbary Coast | Knuckles Jacoby | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | Ireno | Drunk (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1929 | Mother's Boy | Harry O'Day | Hit | Similar → |
| 1929 | Two Americans | Unknown | Hit | Similar → |
| 1929 | Gentlemen of the Press | Kelly - Reporter (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | A Man of Quality | Richard Courtney | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1925 | School for Wives | Ralph | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1924 | Damaged Hearts | Jim Porter | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1923 | Jamestown | Minor Role (Uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
Brian Donlevy - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Brian Donlevy?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Brian Donlevy is "Behind Prison Gates" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Brian Donlevy acted in?
Brian Donlevy has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Brian Donlevy?
Other notable films include "A Man of Quality", "Jamestown", and "The Trouble with Women".