Jimmy Durante - Actor Profile

Jimmy Durante

Acting
Freshness: Jan 13, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Feb 9, 1893
Birth Place: New York City, New York, USA

About Jimmy Durante

Comedian, composer, actor, singer and songwriter ("Inka Dinka Doo") Jimmy Durante was educated in New York public schools. He began his career as a Coney Island pianist, and organized a five-piece band in 1916. He opened the Club Durant with Eddie Jackson and Lou Clayton, with whom he later formed a comedy trio for vaudeville and on television. He appeared in the Broadway musicals "Show Girl", "The New Yorkers", "Strike Me Pink", "Jumbo", "Red Hot and Blue", and "Stars in Your Eyes". By 1936, he had appeared at the Palladium in London. Later he had his own radio and television shows, and was a featured headliner in night clubs. Biographer Gene Fowler wrote his biography, "Schnozzola". Joining ASCAP in 1941, he collaborated musically with Jackie Barnett and Ben Ryan, and his other popular song compositions include "I'm Jimmy That Well-Dressed Man", "I Know Darn Well I Can Do Without Broadway", "I Ups to Him and He Ups to Me", "Daddy Your Mamma Is Lonesome For You", "Umbriago", "Any State In the Forty-Eight", "Chidabee Chidabee Chidabee", and "I'm Jimmy's Girl".

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Jimmy Durante 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: Comedy

The majority of Jimmy Durante's filmography leans towards the Comedy 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 28% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Jimmy Durante remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Showbiz Goes to War, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Jimmy Durante Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Jimmy Durante's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Jimmy Durante.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2004 Checking Out: Grand Hotel (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2002 Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song Self (archive footage) (uncredited) Average Similar →
1997 Hidden Hollywood: Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Film Vaults Self (Archival Footage) Hit Similar →
1994 That's Entertainment! III (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1988 Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC Self (archive footage) Average Similar →
1984 Going Hollywood: The '30s (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
1982 Showbiz Goes to War (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
1976 That's Entertainment, Part II (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1976 It's Showtime Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1975 Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? Self (archive footage) Average Similar →
1974 That's Entertainment! (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1969 Frosty the Snowman Narrator (voice) Hit Similar →
1968 The Movie Orgy Self (archive footage) Average Similar →
1966 Alice Through the Looking Glass Humpty Dumpty Average Similar →
1963 It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Smiler Grogan Hit Similar →
1962 Billy Rose's Jumbo Anthony ('Pop') Wonder Average Similar →
1962 The New March of Dimes Presents: The Scene Stealers Self - Host Hit Similar →
1961 The Last Judgment The man with the large nose Average Similar →
1960 Pepe Jimmy Durante Average Similar →
1958 The All-Star Christmas Show Self Average Similar →
1950 The Milkman Breezy Albright Super Hit Similar →
1950 The Great Rupert Mr. Louie Amendola Average Similar →
1948 On an Island with You Buckley Average Similar →
1947 This Time for Keeps Ferdi Farro Flop Similar →
1947 It Happened in Brooklyn Nick Lombardi Average Similar →
1946 Two Sisters from Boston 'Spike' Average Similar →
1944 Music for Millions Andrews Average Similar →
1944 Two Girls and a Sailor Billy Kipp / Julian Kipp Average Similar →
1942 Breakdowns of 1942 Self Average Similar →
1941 The Man Who Came to Dinner Banjo Hit Similar →
1940 Melody Ranch Cornelius J. Courtney Average Similar →
1938 Little Miss Broadway Jimmy Clayton Average Similar →
1938 Sally, Irene and Mary Jefferson Twitchel Average Similar →
1938 Start Cheering Willie Gumbatz Hit Similar →
1936 Land Without Music Jonah J. Whistler Average Similar →
1936 Screen Snapshots (Series 16, No. 1) Self Average Similar →
1934 Student Tour Hank Merman Flop Similar →
1934 Hollywood Party Jimmy Durante Average Similar →
1934 Strictly Dynamite Moxie Flop Similar →
1934 George White's Scandals Happy McGillicuddy Flop Similar →
1933 Broadway to Hollywood Jimmy Flop Similar →
1933 Hell Below Ptomaine' - Ships Cook Average Similar →
1933 What! No Beer? Jimmy Potts Average Similar →
1932 The Phantom President Curly Average Similar →
1932 Blondie of the Follies Jimmy Average Similar →
1932 Speak Easily James Average Similar →
1932 The Wet Parade Abe Shilling Average Similar →
1932 The Passionate Plumber Julius J. McCracken Average Similar →
1931 The Christmas Party Santa Claus (uncredited) Flop Similar →
1931 New Adventures of Get Rich Quick Wallingford Schnozzle Flop Similar →

Jimmy Durante - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Jimmy Durante?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Jimmy Durante is "Showbiz Goes to War" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Jimmy Durante acted in?

Jimmy Durante has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Jimmy Durante?

Other notable films include "Going Hollywood: The '30s", "The Milkman", and "That's Entertainment!".