Elisha Cook Jr.
ActingAbout Elisha Cook Jr.
Elisha Vanslyck Cook, Jr. (December 26, 1903 – May 18, 1995) was an American character actor who made a career out of playing cowardly villains and weedy neurotics in dozens of films. He was perhaps most noted for his portrayal of the "gunsel" Wilmer, who tries to intimidate Humphrey Bogart's Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon. Description above from the Wikipedia article Elisha Cook, Jr, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia
Elisha Cook Jr. Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Elisha Cook Jr. 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 Elisha Cook Jr.'s work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 100% of Elisha Cook Jr.'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 Terror at Alcatraz, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Elisha Cook Jr. Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Elisha Cook Jr.'s career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Elisha Cook Jr. has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | They Came from the Attic | Watson Pritchard (voice) (Archival) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1987 | The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains | Pappy Glue | Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Terror at Alcatraz | Hotel Desk Clerk | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | Leave 'Em Laughing | Jetter | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1979 | The Champ | Georgie | Hit | Similar → |
| 1977 | Mad Bull | Sweeper | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1973 | The Outfit | Carl | Hit | Similar → |
| 1973 | Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid | Cody | Hit | Similar → |
| 1973 | Emperor of the North | Gray Cat | Hit | Similar → |
| 1973 | Electra Glide in Blue | Willie | Hit | Similar → |
| 1972 | The Night Stalker | Mickey Crawford | Hit | Similar → |
| 1972 | Scarecrow | Micah | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1970 | The Movie Murderer | Willie Peanuts | Hit | Similar → |
| 1968 | Rosemary's Baby | Mr. Nicklas | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1968 | The Movie Orgy | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1964 | The Big Parade of Comedy | Joe in 'Love Crazy' (archive footage) (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1963 | The Haunted Palace | Gideon Smith / Micah Smith | Hit | Similar → |
| 1961 | One-Eyed Jacks | Carvey | Hit | Similar → |
| 1959 | Day of the Outlaw | Larry Teter, Town Barber | Hit | Similar → |
| 1959 | House on Haunted Hill | Watson Pritchard | Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | Plunder Road | Skeets Jonas | Hit | Similar → |
| 1956 | The Killing | George Peatty | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | Trial | Finn | Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | The Outlaw's Daughter | Lewis 'Tulsa' Cook | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1953 | Shane | Frank 'Stonewall' Torrey | Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | Don't Bother to Knock | Eddie Forbes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | Born to Kill | Marty | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | The Big Sleep | Harry Jones | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | Two Smart People | Fly Feletti | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | Joe Palooka, Champ | Eugene | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | Phantom Lady | Cliff Milburn | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Kill or Be Killed | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Manila Calling | Gillman | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Sleepytime Gal | Ernie | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | A Gentleman at Heart | Genius | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Hellzapoppin' | Harry Selby | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Ball of Fire | Waiter | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | I Wake Up Screaming | Harry Williams | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | The Maltese Falcon | Wilmer Cook | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Sergeant York | Piano Player (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Love Crazy | Joe (elevator operator) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Grand Jury Secrets | Robert Austin / Norman Hazlitt | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Newsboys' Home | Danny | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Submarine Patrol | Seaman Rutherford Davis Pratt, aka 'The Professor' | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Life Begins in College | Oliver ("Ollie") Stearns Jr. | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Danger – Love at Work | McBain, the chemist | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Wife, Doctor and Nurse | Glen Wylie | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Two in a Crowd | Skeeter | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1930 | Chills and Fever | Member of the Glee Club | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1930 | Her Unborn Child | Stewart Kennedy | Hit | Similar → |
Elisha Cook Jr. - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Elisha Cook Jr.?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Elisha Cook Jr. is "Terror at Alcatraz" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Elisha Cook Jr. acted in?
Elisha Cook Jr. has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Elisha Cook Jr.?
Other notable films include "They Came from the Attic", "Chills and Fever", and "Sleepytime Gal".