Norman Alden
ActingAbout Norman Alden
Norman Alden (né Adelberg; September 13, 1924 – July 27, 2012) was an American character actor. His career lasted nearly 50 years, including many diverse and memorable performances. Some of his notable roles include the voice of Sir Kay in The Sword in the Stone (1963), Dr. Linstrom in I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977), diner owner Lou in Back to the Future (1985), the voice of Kranix in The Transformers: The Movie (1986), the construction foreman in They Live (1988), and cameraman Bill in Ed Wood (1994). Alden also made numerous guest appearances in popular shows like Gunsmoke, Perry Mason, and The Twilight Zone. Alden first discovered his passion for acting while attending Texas Christian University, where he participated in on-campus theater productions. After serving in the United States Army during World War II, he pursued a career in acting, making his first television appearance in 1957 on The 20th Century Fox Hour. Alden continued to work steadily until his retirement in 2006.
Norman Alden Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Norman Alden reflects a strong mix of popular and critically appreciated roles. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Norman Alden's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 64% of Norman Alden'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 Sunday Drive, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Norman Alden Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Norman Alden's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Norman Alden has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Looking Back to the Future | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2006 | Looking Back at the Future | Himself | Hit | Similar → |
| 2002 | Night of the Wolf | Carl Casey | Average | Similar → |
| 2001 | K-PAX | Babbling Man | Hit | Similar → |
| 1998 | Patch Adams | Truck Driver | Hit | Similar → |
| 1994 | Ed Wood | Cameraman Bill | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1989 | Man Against the Mob: The Chinatown Murders | Chief of Police | Hit | Similar → |
| 1988 | They Live | Foreman | Hit | Similar → |
| 1988 | Man Against the Mob | Capt. Necker | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1986 | Sunday Drive | Norman | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1986 | The Transformers: The Movie | Kranix (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | Back to the Future | Lou | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | Heart of a Champion: The Ray Mancini Story | Ray Arcel | Average | Similar → |
| 1982 | Victor/Victoria | Man in Hotel with Shoes (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Desperate Lives | Coach | Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | Borderline | Willie Lambert | Average | Similar → |
| 1980 | Back to the Planet of the Apes | Zako | Average | Similar → |
| 1980 | Cloud Dancer | Dr. Putman | Average | Similar → |
| 1980 | Flamingo Road | Pete | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1979 | Samurai | Lt. Al DeNisco | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1979 | No Other Love | Les Hollister | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1978 | Ring of Passion | Max Machon | Hit | Similar → |
| 1977 | Semi-Tough | Coach Alvin Parks | Average | Similar → |
| 1977 | I Never Promised You a Rose Garden | McPherson | Average | Similar → |
| 1974 | Cry Panic | Doc Potter | Hit | Similar → |
| 1972 | Kansas City Bomber | Horrible Hank Hopkins | Average | Similar → |
| 1972 | Where Does It Hurt? | Katzen | Average | Similar → |
| 1972 | Ben | Policeman | Average | Similar → |
| 1972 | Stand Up and Be Counted | Businessman | Hit | Similar → |
| 1971 | The Trackers | Pete Dilworth | Average | Similar → |
| 1970 | The Psychiatrist: God Bless the Children | Sheriff Glenn | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1970 | Tora! Tora! Tora! | Major Truman Landon | Hit | Similar → |
| 1969 | The Pigeon | Carl | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1969 | The Great Bank Robbery | The Great Gregory - Balloonist | Hit | Similar → |
| 1968 | Fever Heat | Herbert Hupgrove | Hit | Similar → |
| 1968 | The Devil's Brigade | MP Lieutenant | Average | Similar → |
| 1967 | First to Fight | Sergeant Schmidtmer | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1966 | The Wild Angels | Medic | Average | Similar → |
| 1965 | Red Line 7000 | Pat | Flop | Similar → |
| 1965 | Andy | Andy Chadakis | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1964 | The Patsy | Bully at the Gym | Average | Similar → |
| 1964 | Bedtime Story | Dubin | Average | Similar → |
| 1964 | Man's Favorite Sport? | John Screaming Eagle | Hit | Similar → |
| 1963 | The Sword in the Stone | Kay (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1963 | The Nutty Professor | Football Player | Hit | Similar → |
| 1961 | Secret of Deep Harbor | Barney Haines | Average | Similar → |
| 1961 | Portrait of a Mobster | Bo Wetzel | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1961 | Operation Bottleneck | Cpl. Lester 'Merc' Davenport | Hit | Similar → |
| 1960 | The Walking Target | Sam Russo | Average | Similar → |
| 1958 | The Power of the Resurrection | Gate Guard | Hit | Similar → |
Norman Alden - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Norman Alden?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Norman Alden is "Sunday Drive" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Norman Alden acted in?
Norman Alden has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Norman Alden?
Other notable films include "The Psychiatrist: God Bless the Children", "Flamingo Road", and "The Pigeon".