Lila Kaye - Actor Profile

Lila Kaye

Acting
Updated: May 14, 2026
24Total Films
8.3 Highest Rated
Born: Nov 7, 1929
Birth Place: Worthing, Sussex, England, UK

About Lila Kaye

Lila Kaye (7 November 1929 – 10 January 2012) was an English actress. She spent a number of years working in the United States, on Broadway and in television, before returning to England. She often played motherly and/or comedic characters, mostly on television, including Cathy Come Home (1966) as a staff member at a homeless shelter, and My Son Reuben (1975), co-starring Bernard Spear, as a Jewish mother and her bachelor son who jointly run a dry-cleaning business. She also appeared in films including Blind Terror (1971), The Black Panther (1977) and Quincy's Quest (1979), and found film success in later years for her performances in An American Werewolf in London (1981) as the conflicted rural barmaid trying to warn off the two doomed American backpackers, in Nuns on the Run (1990) as a formidable nun, and in Reason for Living: The Jill Ireland Story (1991; an American television film), in which she played Dorothy Ireland, the real-life mother of cancer-stricken actress Jill Ireland (played by Jill Clayburgh).[1] Kaye appeared in Bert Rigby, You're a Fool (1989) as Mrs. Pennington, and in Dragonworld (1994) as Mrs. Cosgrove.

Lila Kaye Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Lila Kaye reflects a strong mix of popular and critically appreciated roles. Across 24 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Lila Kaye's work falls within the TV Movie genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 54% of Lila Kaye'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 A Place to Die, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Lila Kaye Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Lila Kaye's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Lila Kaye has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1996 Eskimo Day Mother Polly Super Hit Similar →
1994 Dragonworld Mrs. Cosgrove Flop Similar →
1992 Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris Vi Butterfield Super Hit Similar →
1991 Reason for Living: The Jill Ireland Story Dorothy, Jill's mother Hit Similar →
1990 Antonia and Jane Jane's Mother Flop Similar →
1990 Nuns on the Run Sister Mary of the Annunciation Average Similar →
1989 Bert Rigby, You're a Fool Mrs. Pennington Flop Similar →
1987 The Trial of Klaus Barbie Lagrange Flop Similar →
1987 The Sign of Four Mrs Mordecai Smith Hit Similar →
1987 The Return of Sherlock Holmes Ms. Houston Average Similar →
1987 Making Waves Mrs Nash Hit Similar →
1986 The Canterville Ghost Mrs. Umney Hit Similar →
1984 Camille Nanine Average Similar →
1984 Pericles, Prince of Tyre Bawd Super Hit Similar →
1981 Sredni Vashtar Mrs. Woolridge Hit Similar →
1981 An American Werewolf in London Barmaid Hit Similar →
1979 Quincy's Quest Griselda Average Similar →
1977 The Black Panther - Average Similar →
1977 The Kitchen Bertha Flop Similar →
1973 A Place to Die Bess Super Hit Similar →
1972 King's Cross Lunch Hour The Manageress Hit Similar →
1971 See No Evil Gypsy Mother Hit Similar →
1971 Mr. Horatio Knibbles Nancy's Mother Average Similar →
1968 The Fiction Makers Ma Hit Similar →

Lila Kaye - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Lila Kaye?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Lila Kaye is "A Place to Die" with a rating of 8.3/10.

How many movies has Lila Kaye acted in?

Lila Kaye has been featured in at least 24 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Lila Kaye?

Other notable films include "Eskimo Day", "Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris", and "Pericles, Prince of Tyre".

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