James Coburn - Actor Profile

James Coburn

Acting
Updated: May 09, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Aug 31, 1928
Birth Place: Laurel, Nebraska, USA

About James Coburn

James Harrison Coburn III (August 31, 1928 – November 18, 2002) was an American film and television actor. Coburn appeared in nearly 70 films and made over 100 television appearances during his 45-year career, and played a wide range of roles and won an Academy Award for his supporting role as Glen Whitehouse in Affliction.

James Coburn Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of James Coburn 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 James Coburn's work falls within the Documentary genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 100% of James Coburn'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 The Yellow Bird, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best James Coburn Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from James Coburn's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie James Coburn has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2005 Passion & Poetry: The Ballad of Sam Peckinpah Self Super Hit Similar →
2004 Blood and Steel: The Making of Enter the Dragon Self Super Hit Similar →
2004 Sam Peckinpah's West: Legacy of a Hollywood Renegade Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2002 The Yellow Bird Rev. Increase Tutwiler Super Hit Similar →
2002 The Real Virgil Hilts: A Man Called Jones Narrator Super Hit Similar →
2001 The Unbeatable Bruce Lee - Super Hit Similar →
2001 Monsters, Inc. Waternoose (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2001 Walter and Henry Charlie Super Hit Similar →
2001 Marilyn Monroe: The Final Days Narrator (voice) Hit Similar →
2000 Kurosawa Self Hit Similar →
2000 Guns for Hire: The Making of 'The Magnificent Seven' Self Hit Similar →
1999 Arnold Schwarzenegger: Hollywood Hero Self Super Hit Similar →
1999 Payback Justin Fairfax Hit Similar →
1999 Hollywood Screen Tests: Take 1 Self (archive footage) (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1999 Bruce Lee: The Legend Lives On Self Super Hit Similar →
1999 World's Scariest Ghosts - Caught on Tape Narrator (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1998 The Path of the Dragon Self Hit Similar →
1997 Twentieth Century Fox: The First 50 Years Host Hit Similar →
1995 Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder Jeffery Winslow Hit Similar →
1994 A Christmas Reunion Santa Hit Similar →
1994 Greyhounds John Dolan Hit Similar →
1994 Maverick Commodore Duvall Hit Similar →
1994 Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice Jeffrey Winslow Super Hit Similar →
1994 The Life of Bruce Lee Self - Actor & Student of Bruce Lee Hit Similar →
1993 Return to 'The Great Escape' Self Super Hit Similar →
1993 The Curse of the Dragon Self Hit Similar →
1993 Sam Peckinpah: Man of Iron Self Hit Similar →
1992 The Player James Coburn Hit Similar →
1992 True Facts - Super Hit Similar →
1989 Train to Heaven Gregorius Super Hit Similar →
1989 Call from Space Studio Boss Super Hit Similar →
1988 Walking After Midnight Self Super Hit Similar →
1985 Sins of the Father - Hit Similar →
1983 Digital Dreams God's Gift to Wyman Hit Similar →
1979 The Muppet Movie El Sleezo Cafe Owner Hit Similar →
1979 Superstunt II Self Hit Similar →
1978 Formula 1 - Speed fever Self Hit Similar →
1977 Cross of Iron Unteroffizier / Feldwebel Rolf Steiner Hit Similar →
1975 Hard Times Spencer "Speed" Weed Hit Similar →
1973 The Last of Sheila Clinton Greene Hit Similar →
1973 Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid Pat Garrett Hit Similar →
1971 Duck, You Sucker John H. Mallory Super Hit Similar →
1969 The Wolf Men Self - Narrator (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1964 Action on the Beach Self Super Hit Similar →
1963 Charade Tex Panthollow Super Hit Similar →
1963 The Great Escape Sedgwick 'Manufacturer' Super Hit Similar →
1961 The Murder Men Arthur Troy Super Hit Similar →
1960 The Magnificent Seven Britt Super Hit Similar →
1959 Ride Lonesome Whitt Hit Similar →
1957 The Night America Trembled Sam (as Jim Coburn) Super Hit Similar →

James Coburn - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of James Coburn?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring James Coburn is "The Yellow Bird" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has James Coburn acted in?

James Coburn has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by James Coburn?

Other notable films include "The Murder Men", "True Facts", and "The Real Virgil Hilts: A Man Called Jones".

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