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.
Melvyn Douglas Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Melvyn Douglas 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 Melvyn Douglas's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 98% of Melvyn Douglas'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 Murder or Mercy, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Melvyn Douglas Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Melvyn Douglas's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Melvyn Douglas has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| 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 → |
| 1980 | Tell Me a Riddle | David | Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | The Changeling | Senator Carmichael | Hit | Similar → |
| 1979 | Being There | Benjamin Rand | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1977 | Twilight's Last Gleaming | Zachariah Guthrie | Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | The Tenant | Monsieur Zy | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | That's Entertainment, Part II | (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1974 | Murder or Mercy | Dr. Paul Harelson | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1974 | The Death Squad | Police Captain Earl Kreski | Hit | Similar → |
| 1973 | The Going Up of David Lev | Grandfather | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1972 | The Candidate | John J. McKay | Hit | Similar → |
| 1972 | Hollywood: The Dream Factory | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1970 | I Never Sang for My Father | Tom Garrison | Hit | Similar → |
| 1967 | Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night | Peter Schermann | Super Hit | 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) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1963 | Hud | Homer Bannon | Hit | Similar → |
| 1962 | Billy Budd | The Dansker, Sailmaker | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | On the Loose | Frank Bradley | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | The Great Sinner | Armand De Glasse | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House | Bill Cole | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Three Hearts for Julia | Jeff Seabrook | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Two-Faced Woman | Lawrence 'Larry' Blake | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | Our Wife | Jerome 'Jerry' Marvin | Hit | 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 | He Stayed for Breakfast | Paul Boliet | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Cavalcade of the Academy Awards | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Too Many Husbands | Henry Lowndes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Ninotchka | Count Leon d'Algout | Super Hit | 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 | Mary Burns, Fugitive | Barton Powell | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Annie Oakley | Jeff Hogarth | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | She Married Her Boss | Richard Barclay | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | The People's Enemy | George R. 'Traps' Stuart | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Dangerous Corner | Charles Stanton | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Counsellor at Law | Roy Darwin | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Nagana | Dr. Walter Tradnor | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Old Dark House | Penderel | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Wiser Sex | David Rolfe | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | Prestige | Capt. Andre Verlaine | Hit | 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 "Murder or Mercy" with a rating of 10.0/10.
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 "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night", "Mary Burns, Fugitive", and "The Going Up of David Lev".