Sylvia Sidney
ActingAbout Sylvia Sidney
Sylvia Sidney (born Sophia Kosow, August 8, 1910 – July 1, 1999) was an American stage, screen and film actress whose career spanned over 70 years. She rose to prominence in dozens of leading roles in the 1930s. She later gained attention for her role as Juno, a case worker in the afterlife, in Tim Burton's film Beetlejuice, for which she won a Saturn Award as Best Supporting Actress. She also was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams (1973).
Sylvia Sidney Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Sylvia Sidney 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 Sylvia Sidney's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 72% of Sylvia Sidney'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 Mary Burns, Fugitive, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Sylvia Sidney Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Sylvia Sidney's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Sylvia Sidney has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Mars Attacks! | Grandma Norris | Average | Similar → |
| 1988 | Cary Grant: A Celebration of a Leading Man | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1988 | Beetlejuice | Juno | Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | Finnegan Begin Again | Margaret | Hit | Similar → |
| 1984 | Going Hollywood: The '30s | (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1983 | The Brass Ring | Grandmother | Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Having It All | Marney | Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Hammett | Donaldina Cameron | Average | Similar → |
| 1982 | Night of 100 Stars | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Come Along with Me | Mrs. Flanner | Average | Similar → |
| 1981 | A Small Killing | Sadie Ross | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | F.D.R.: The Last Year | Cousin Polly | Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | The Gossip Columnist | Alma Lewellyn | Hit | Similar → |
| 1978 | Damien - Omen II | Aunt Marion | Average | Similar → |
| 1978 | Siege | Lillian Gordon | Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | Raid on Entebbe | Dora Bloch | Average | Similar → |
| 1975 | Winner Take All | Anne Barclay | Hit | Similar → |
| 1975 | The Secret Night Caller | Kitty | Hit | Similar → |
| 1971 | Do Not Fold, Spindle, or Mutilate | Elizabeth Gibson | Average | Similar → |
| 1958 | No Time at All | Mrs. Kramer | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | Man on the Ledge | Mrs. Cosick | Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | Violent Saturday | Elsie Braden | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | The Searching Wind | Cassie Bowman | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Blood on the Sun | Iris Hilliard | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | Breakdowns of 1941 | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | The Wagons Roll at Night | Flo Lorraine | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | One Third of a Nation | Mary Rogers | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | You and Me | Helen Roberts | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Dead End | Drina | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | You Only Live Once | Joan Graham | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Sabotage | Mrs. Verloc | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Fury | Katherine Grant | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | The Trail of the Lonesome Pine | June Tolliver | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Mary Burns, Fugitive | Mary Burns | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Accent on Youth | Linda Brown | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Behold My Wife! | Tonita Storm Cloud | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Thirty Day Princess | Nancy Lane / Princess Catterina | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Good Dame | Lillie Taylor | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | Make Me a Star | Sylvia Sidney (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | Merrily We Go to Hell | Joan Prentice | Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | Ladies of the Big House | Kathleen Storm McNeil | Average | Similar → |
| 1931 | Street Scene | Rose Maurrant | Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | An American Tragedy | Roberta 'Bert' Alden | Average | Similar → |
| 1931 | Confessions of a Co-Ed | Patricia Harper | Average | Similar → |
| 1931 | The House That Shadows Built | (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | City Streets | Nan Cooley | Average | Similar → |
| 1930 | Five Minutes from the Station | Carrie Adams | Average | Similar → |
| 1929 | Thru Different Eyes | Valerie Briand | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1927 | Broadway Nights | Performer | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | The Sorrows of Satan | Bridesmaid (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
Sylvia Sidney - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Sylvia Sidney?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Sylvia Sidney is "Mary Burns, Fugitive" with a rating of 9.0/10.
How many movies has Sylvia Sidney acted in?
Sylvia Sidney has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Sylvia Sidney?
Other notable films include "Going Hollywood: The '30s", "A Small Killing", and "The House That Shadows Built".