James Karen - Actor Profile

James Karen

Acting
Updated: May 09, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Nov 28, 1923
Birth Place: Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, USA

About James Karen

​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. James Karen (November 28, 1923 - October 23, 2018) was an American character actor of Broadway, film and television. Description above from the Wikipedia article James Karen, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia

Known For: ActingIndustry Veteran

James Karen Movies & Career Overview

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

Success Ratio

Approximately 92% of James Karen'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 One Last Flight, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best James Karen Movies Ranked

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

★10.0
One Last Flight (1999) movie poster
★10.0

One Last Flight: Ray and his grandfather love airplanes and fly their model airplanes together in the park. But when Grandpa is sent to a

One Last Flight

1999•Family
★10.0
Staying Afloat (1993) movie poster
★10.0

Staying Afloat: In this comedy thriller, a prospective series pilot, Larry Hagman plays a disinherited socialite and high roller who, wi

Staying Afloat

1993•TV Movie
★9.3
The Cowboy and the Movie Star (1998) movie poster
★9.3

The Cowboy and the Movie Star: Depressed at the thought of losing his family ranch to settle his divorce, cowboy Clint Brannan decides to drive his cat

The Cowboy and the Movie Star

1998•Drama
★9.0
Once Upon a Family (1980) movie poster
★9.0

Once Upon a Family: A father tries to make it as a single parent when his wife walks out on him and the children.

Once Upon a Family

1980•Drama
★9.0
Portrait of a Rebel: The Remarkable Mrs. Sanger (1980) movie poster
★9.0

Portrait of a Rebel: The Remarkable Mrs. Sanger: The dramatized biography of Margaret Sanger, the crusader who founded America's first birth control clinic during World

Portrait of a Rebel: The Remarkable Mrs. Sanger

1980•Drama

Full Filmography

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

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2018 The Great Buster: A Celebration Self Hit Similar →
2011 More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead Himself Hit Similar →
2007 Making Pursuit: An Italian Take on the American Dream Self Super Hit Similar →
2006 The Pursuit of Happyness Martin Frohm Super Hit Similar →
2004 So Funny It Hurt: Buster Keaton & MGM Self - Host / Narrator Super Hit Similar →
2004 The China Syndrome: Creating a Controversy Self Super Hit Similar →
2004 The China Syndrome: A Fusion of Talent Self Super Hit Similar →
2003 A House on a Hill Sy Super Hit Similar →
2001 Mulholland Drive Wally Brown Super Hit Similar →
2000 Thirteen Days George Ball Hit Similar →
1999 Any Given Sunday Christina's Advisor Hit Similar →
1999 One Last Flight - Super Hit Similar →
1998 Apt Pupil Victor Bowden Hit Similar →
1998 Universal Horror Self - Interviewee Hit Similar →
1998 The Cowboy and the Movie Star Brad Peters Super Hit Similar →
1997 Nightman Secretary of Defense Laughton Hit Similar →
1996 Up Close & Personal Tom Orr Average Similar →
1995 Nixon Bill Rogers Hit Similar →
1995 Bonanza: Under Attack Mr. Stewart Hit Similar →
1993 Staying Afloat George Super Hit Similar →
1993 A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion Assistant District Attorney Al Sampson Hit Similar →
1990 Thanksgiving Day Averill Crandall Super Hit Similar →
1990 The Heart of the Deal - Hit Similar →
1989 Cult People Himself Hit Similar →
1988 Return of the Living Dead Part II Ed Average Similar →
1987 Wall Street Lynch Hit Similar →
1987 Drive-In Madness! Himself / Host / Narrator Average Similar →
1985 Jagged Edge Andrew Hardesty Average Similar →
1985 The Return of the Living Dead Frank Hit Similar →
1984 Sam's Son Mr. Collins Hit Similar →
1984 Little House: The Last Farewell Nathan Lassiter Hit Similar →
1983 Have You Ever Been Ashamed Of Your Parents? Mr. Fairchild Super Hit Similar →
1982 Frances Juge Hillier Hit Similar →
1982 Poltergeist Mr. Teague Hit Similar →
1980 F.D.R.: The Last Year Adm. McIntire Hit Similar →
1980 Portrait of a Rebel: The Remarkable Mrs. Sanger Untermeyer Super Hit Similar →
1980 Once Upon a Family Alvin Heller Super Hit Similar →
1979 Topper Fred Korbell Hit Similar →
1979 The China Syndrome Mac Churchill Hit Similar →
1979 The Ordeal of Patty Hearst Psychologist Hit Similar →
1979 Institute for Revenge Power Broker Hit Similar →
1978 F.I.S.T. Andrews Hit Similar →
1977 Opening Night Bellboy Super Hit Similar →
1977 Capricorn One Vice President Price Hit Similar →
1977 Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night Dr. Sutterman Super Hit Similar →
1977 Something for Joey Dr. Wingreen Hit Similar →
1976 All the President's Men Hugh Sloan's Lawyer Super Hit Similar →
1974 Amazing Grace Annenberg Hit Similar →
1970 I Never Sang for My Father Old Age Home Director Hit Similar →
1965 Film Passerby Hit Similar →

James Karen - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of James Karen?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring James Karen is "One Last Flight" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has James Karen acted in?

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

What are some other popular movies by James Karen?

Other notable films include "Staying Afloat", "The Cowboy and the Movie Star", and "Once Upon a Family".

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