Melvyn Douglas
ActingAbout Melvyn Douglas
Melvyn Douglas (born Melvyn Edouard Hesselberg; April 5, 1901 – August 4, 1981) was an American actor. Douglas came to prominence in the 1930s as a suave leading man, perhaps best typified by his performance in the 1939 romantic comedy Ninotchka with Greta Garbo. Douglas later played mature and fatherly characters, as in his Academy Award–winning performances in Hud (1963) and Being There (1979) and his Academy Award–nominated performance in I Never Sang for My Father (1970). In the last few years of his life Douglas appeared in films with supernatural stories involving ghosts. Douglas appeared as "Senator Joseph Carmichael" in The Changeling in 1980 and Ghost Story in 1981 in his final completed film role.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Melvyn Douglas 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 Melvyn Douglas'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), Melvyn Douglas remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Myrna Loy: So Nice to Come Home To, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Melvyn Douglas Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Melvyn Douglas's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Melvyn Douglas.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Myrna Loy: So Nice to Come Home To | (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1988 | The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind | Self (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | Ghost Story | Dr. John Jaffrey | Average | Similar → |
| 1980 | Tell Me a Riddle | David | Average | Similar → |
| 1980 | The Changeling | Senator Carmichael | Hit | Similar → |
| 1979 | Being There | Benjamin Rand | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1977 | Twilight's Last Gleaming | Zachariah Guthrie | Average | Similar → |
| 1976 | The Tenant | Monsieur Zy | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | That's Entertainment, Part II | (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1974 | The Death Squad | Police Captain Earl Kreski | Hit | Similar → |
| 1972 | The Candidate | John J. McKay | Hit | Similar → |
| 1972 | Hollywood: The Dream Factory | Self (archive footage) | Average | Similar → |
| 1970 | I Never Sang for My Father | Tom Garrison | Hit | Similar → |
| 1967 | Hotel | Warren Trent | Average | Similar → |
| 1965 | Inherit the Wind | Henry Drummond | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1965 | Rapture | Frederick Larbaud | Hit | Similar → |
| 1964 | The Americanization of Emily | Admiral William Jessup | Hit | Similar → |
| 1964 | The Big Parade of Comedy | Leon (archive footage) | Average | Similar → |
| 1963 | Hud | Homer Bannon | Hit | Similar → |
| 1962 | Billy Budd | The Dansker, Sailmaker | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | On the Loose | Frank Bradley | Average | Similar → |
| 1949 | The Great Sinner | Armand De Glasse | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House | Bill Cole | Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | The Sea of Grass | Brice Chamberlain | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Three Hearts for Julia | Jeff Seabrook | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | They All Kissed the Bride | Michael 'Mike' Holmes | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | Two-Faced Woman | Lawrence 'Larry' Blake | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | A Woman's Face | Dr. Gustaf Segert | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | That Uncertain Feeling | Larry Baker | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | This Thing Called Love | Tice Collins | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Third Finger, Left Hand | Jeff Thompson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Cavalcade of the Academy Awards | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Too Many Husbands | Henry Lowndes | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Ninotchka | Count Leon d'Algout | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Screen Snapshots Series 19, No. 1 | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Good Girls Go to Paris | Ronald Brooke | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | The Shining Hour | Henry Linden | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Angel | Anthony 'Tony' Halton | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Captains Courageous | Frank Burton Cheyne | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Theodora Goes Wild | Michael Grant | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | The Lone Wolf Returns | Michael Lanyard | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Annie Oakley | Jeff Hogarth | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | She Married Her Boss | Richard Barclay | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | The People's Enemy | George R. 'Traps' Stuart | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | Woman in the Dark | Tony Robson | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Counsellor at Law | Roy Darwin | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Old Dark House | Penderel | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | As You Desire Me | Count Bruno Varelli | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Wiser Sex | David Rolfe | Average | Similar → |
| 1931 | Tonight or Never | Jim Fletcher | Average | Similar → |
Melvyn Douglas - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Melvyn Douglas?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Melvyn Douglas is "Myrna Loy: So Nice to Come Home To" with a rating of 9.0/10.
How many movies has Melvyn Douglas acted in?
Melvyn Douglas has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Melvyn Douglas?
Other notable films include "This Thing Called Love", "Inherit the Wind", and "The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind".