Roddy McDowall - Actor Profile

Roddy McDowall

Acting
Updated: May 10, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Sep 17, 1928
Birth Place: London, England, UK

About Roddy McDowall

Roderick Andrew Anthony Jude McDowall (17 September 1928 – 3 October 1998) was an English-American actor, director, and photographer. He is best known for portraying Cornelius and Caesar in the original Planet of the Apes film series, as well as Galen in the spin-off television series.

Roddy McDowall Movies & Career Overview

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

Success Ratio

Approximately 100% of Roddy McDowall'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 The Sands of Time, which stands out as a key performance.

Advertisement

Best Roddy McDowall Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Roddy McDowall's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Roddy McDowall has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2024 Planet of the Apes: A Milestone of Science Fiction Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2001 Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1999 Linda Darnell: Hollywood's Fallen Angel - Hit Similar →
1999 Keepers of the Frame Himself Super Hit Similar →
1999 Intimate Portrait: Lauren Bacall Self Super Hit Similar →
1998 Beyond Titanic Self Super Hit Similar →
1998 Behind the Planet of the Apes Self - Host Hit Similar →
1998 Louise Brooks: Looking for Lulu Himself - Actor / Friend Hit Similar →
1998 Star Power: The Creation Of United Artists Narrator (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1997 Obsessed with Vertigo Narrator (Voice) Hit Similar →
1997 Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down the Line Self Super Hit Similar →
1997 Audrey Hepburn: The Fairest Lady Self Super Hit Similar →
1997 Twentieth Century Fox: The First 50 Years Self Hit Similar →
1994 The Story of Lassie Self Super Hit Similar →
1992 The Sands of Time Alan Tucker Super Hit Similar →
1992 The Magical World of Chuck Jones Self Super Hit Similar →
1985 Fright Night Peter Vincent Hit Similar →
1982 Hollywood’s Children Self (Narrator) Super Hit Similar →
1982 The Making of Agatha Christie's 'Evil Under the Sun' Self / Rex Brewster Super Hit Similar →
1981 The Million Dollar Face Derek Kenyon Super Hit Similar →
1980 Life, Liberty and Pursuit on the Planet of the Apes Galen Super Hit Similar →
1980 Treachery and Greed on the Planet of the Apes Galen Super Hit Similar →
1980 The Forgotten City of the Planet of the Apes Galen Super Hit Similar →
1980 The Memory of Eva Ryker MacFarland Super Hit Similar →
1979 Hart to Hart Dr. Peterson Super Hit Similar →
1979 Sitcom: The Adventures of Garry Marshall Chuck the Robot (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1977 Sixth and Main Skateboard Super Hit Similar →
1976 It's Showtime Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
1972 The Poseidon Adventure Acres Hit Similar →
1972 Hollywood: The Dream Factory Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1971 Bedknobs and Broomsticks Mr. Jelk Hit Similar →
1971 Terror in the Sky Dr. Ralph Baird Hit Similar →
1968 Planet of the Apes Cornelius Super Hit Similar →
1967 Saint Joan Charles, The Dauphin Super Hit Similar →
1963 Cleopatra Octavian - Caesar Augustus Hit Similar →
1963 The Power and the Glory Mestizo Super Hit Similar →
1962 The Longest Day Pvt. Morris Super Hit Similar →
1960 The Tempest Ariel Super Hit Similar →
1958 The Big Country Hannassey Watchman (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1950 Big Timber Jimmy Super Hit Similar →
1950 Everybody's Dancin' Roddy McDowall Super Hit Similar →
1949 Tuna Clipper Alec MacLennan Super Hit Similar →
1948 Macbeth Malcolm Hit Similar →
1948 Rocky Chris Hammond Super Hit Similar →
1944 The Keys of the Kingdom Francis Chisholm, as a boy Hit Similar →
1942 Son of Fury: The Story of Benjamin Blake Benjamin - as a Boy Hit Similar →
1941 How Green Was My Valley Huw Morgan Hit Similar →
1940 His Brother’s Keeper Boy Super Hit Similar →
1938 Hey! Hey! USA Boy Hit Similar →
1938 Murder in the Family Peter Osborne Super Hit Similar →

Roddy McDowall - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Roddy McDowall?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Roddy McDowall is "The Sands of Time" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Roddy McDowall acted in?

Roddy McDowall has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Roddy McDowall?

Other notable films include "Everybody's Dancin'", "Saint Joan", and "Star Power: The Creation Of United Artists".

Advertisement