Phyllis Coates - Actor Profile

Phyllis Coates

Acting
Updated: May 09, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Jan 15, 1927
Birth Place: Wichita Falls, Texas, USA

About Phyllis Coates

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Phyllis Coates (born Gypsie Ann Evarts Stell; January 15, 1927) was an American actress best known for her portrayal of reporter Lois Lane in the 1951 film Superman and the Mole-Men and in the first season of the television series Adventures of Superman. Coates signed a movie contract with Warner Bros. extending from 1948 to 1956. She co-starred with George O'Hanlon as the title character's wife in the studio's Joe McDoakes short-subject comedies. She acted in film serials including Jungle Drums of Africa (1953), Gunfighters of the Northwest (1953), and Panther Girl of the Kongo (1955). Her film career also included roles in Girls in Prison (1956), I Was a Teenage Frankenstein (1957), Blood Arrow (1958), Cattle Empire (1958), The Incredible Petrified World (1959), The Baby Maker (1970) and Goodnight, Sweet Marilyn (1989). Coates was one of Hollywood's most consistently employed actresses of the 1950s and '60s. She freelanced steadily, appearing in numerous low-budget features, many of them Westerns, as well as serials and a steady stream of TV appearances, both as a regular in several series and as a guest cast member in others. All this was in addition to the "McDoakes" shorts, in which she continued to appear until Warner Bros. discontinued the series in 1956.

Phyllis Coates Movies & Career Overview

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

Success Ratio

Approximately 84% of Phyllis Coates'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 So You Want to Be a Bachelor, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Phyllis Coates Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Phyllis Coates's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Phyllis Coates has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2002 Reel Radicals: The Sixties Revolution in Film Self (archive footage) (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
2002 Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story Self (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1989 The Story of Superman Self / Lois Lane (archival footage) Super Hit Similar →
1989 Kiss Shot - Average Similar →
1988 Whisper Kill - Hit Similar →
1970 The Baby Maker Tish's Mother Average Similar →
1966 The Claw Monsters Jean Evans (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1958 Cattle Empire Janice Hamilton Average Similar →
1958 Blood Arrow Bess Johnson Super Hit Similar →
1956 So Your Wife Wants to Work Alice McDoakes (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1956 So You Want to Play the Piano Alice McDoakes Average Similar →
1955 Panther Girl of the Kongo Jean Evans, Panther Girl Average Similar →
1954 Gunfighters of the Northwest Rita Carville Hit Similar →
1953 So You Want to Be an Heir Alice McDoakes (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1953 So You Think You Can't Sleep Alice McDoakes Hit Similar →
1953 El Paso Stampede Alice Clark Hit Similar →
1953 So You Want a Television Set Alice McDoakes (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1953 Marshal of Cedar Rock Martha Clark Average Similar →
1953 Jungle Drums of Africa Carol Bryant Hit Similar →
1952 The Maverick Della Watson Super Hit Similar →
1952 Wyoming Roundup Terry Howard Hit Similar →
1952 Canyon Ambush Marian Gaylord Hit Similar →
1952 Fargo Kathy MacKenzie Hit Similar →
1952 So You Never Tell a Lie Alice McDoakes (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1952 So You Want to Go to a Convention Alice McDoakes Super Hit Similar →
1952 Scorching Fury Mrs. Penn Super Hit Similar →
1951 Stage to Blue River Joyce Westbrook Super Hit Similar →
1951 So You Want to Be a Bachelor Alice Super Hit Similar →
1951 Oklahoma Justice Goldie Vaughn Super Hit Similar →
1951 So You Want to Be a Paper Hanger Alice McDoakes Hit Similar →
1951 Nevada Badmen Carol Bannon Super Hit Similar →
1951 So You Want to Be a Cowboy Alice McDoakes Super Hit Similar →
1951 Canyon Raiders Alice Long Super Hit Similar →
1951 The Screen Director Self (staged 'archive' footage) (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1951 Man from Sonora Cinthy Allison Super Hit Similar →
1950 Outlaws of Texas Annie Moore Super Hit Similar →
1950 Blues Busters Sally Dolan Hit Similar →
1950 So You Want a Raise - Hit Similar →
1950 My Blue Heaven Party Girl (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1950 So You Want to Move - Super Hit Similar →
1950 So You Want to Hold Your Husband Alice McDoakes / Baby McDoakes Super Hit Similar →
1950 So You Think You're Not Guilty Alice McDoakes (uncredited) Average Similar →
1950 So You Want to Throw a Party Alice McDoakes (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1949 So You Want to Get Rich Quick Alice Super Hit Similar →
1949 So You're Having In-Law Trouble Alice Super Hit Similar →
1949 So You Want to Be a Muscle Man Alice McDoakes Super Hit Similar →
1949 So You Want to Be Popular Office secretary Super Hit Similar →
1949 So You Want to Be a Baby Sitter Alice McDoakes Super Hit Similar →
1948 So You Want to Be on the Radio Alice McDoakes (uncredited) Average Similar →
1948 So You Want to Be in Politics Alice McDoakes Super Hit Similar →

Phyllis Coates - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Phyllis Coates?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Phyllis Coates is "So You Want to Be a Bachelor" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Phyllis Coates acted in?

Phyllis Coates has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Phyllis Coates?

Other notable films include "Scorching Fury", "The Story of Superman", and "Outlaws of Texas".

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