Theodore Bikel - Actor Profile

Theodore Bikel

Acting
Updated: May 11, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: May 2, 1924
Birth Place: Vienna, Austria

About Theodore Bikel

Theodore Meir Bikel (May 2, 1924 – July 21, 2015) was a character actor, folk singer and musician. He made his film debut in The African Queen and was nominated for an Academy award for his supporting role as Sheriff Max Muller in The Defiant Ones.

Known For: ActingIndustry Veteran

Theodore Bikel Movies & Career Overview

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

Success Ratio

Approximately 70% of Theodore Bikel'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 Saint Joan, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Theodore Bikel Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Theodore Bikel's career based on audience ratings.

★10.0
Saint Joan (1967) movie poster
★10.0

Saint Joan: A television adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's play about the life, battles and subsequent trial of Joan of Arc, based

Saint Joan

1967
★9.0
Prince Jack (1985) movie poster
★9.0

Prince Jack: A dramatic look at the inner workings of the Kennedy administration.

Prince Jack

1985•History
★9.0
Very Close Quarters (1986) movie poster
★9.0

Very Close Quarters: Depicts a communal flat in Russia where the Government randomly assigns 20 people to live in a one-bedroom apartment.

Very Close Quarters

1986•Comedy
★8.0
Fraulein (1958) movie poster
★8.0

Fraulein: A Nazi's fiancee helps an escaped U.S. soldier, then meets him in postwar Berlin.

Fraulein

1958•War
★8.0
The Diary of Anne Frank (1967) movie poster
★8.0

The Diary of Anne Frank: During World War II, a teenage Jewish girl named Anne Frank and her family are forced into hiding in the Nazi-occupied N

The Diary of Anne Frank

1967•Drama

Full Filmography

Every movie Theodore Bikel has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2016 Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words Rance Muhammitz (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2010 Embracing Chaos: Making The African Queen Self Hit Similar →
2009 The Little Traitor Interrogator Average Similar →
2004 Isn't This a Time! A Tribute Concert for Harold Leventhal Himself Hit Similar →
1998 Second Chances Dutch John Hathaway Super Hit Similar →
1998 Babylon 5: In the Beginning Lenonn Hit Similar →
1995 More Loverly Than Ever: The Making of 'My Fair Lady' Self / Zoltan Karpathy Super Hit Similar →
1995 My Family Treasure Grandpa Danieloff Super Hit Similar →
1992 Crisis in the Kremlin Leo Average Similar →
1991 Shattered Dr. Berkus Average Similar →
1989 The Final Days Henry Kissinger Hit Similar →
1989 See You in the Morning Bronie Average Similar →
1989 Łódź Ghetto (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1988 The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels Self Hit Similar →
1986 Very Close Quarters Victor Super Hit Similar →
1985 Prince Jack Georgi Super Hit Similar →
1982 Night of 100 Stars Self Hit Similar →
1980 The Return of the King Aragorn (voice) Average Similar →
1972 The Little Ark The Captain Average Similar →
1972 Killer by Night Sgt. Phl 'Sharkey' Gold Hit Similar →
1970 Darker Than Amber Meyer Average Similar →
1969 My Side of the Mountain Bando Hit Similar →
1968 Sweet November Alonzo Hit Similar →
1967 Saint Joan Robert de Baudricourt Super Hit Similar →
1967 The Diary of Anne Frank Hans Van Daan Super Hit Similar →
1967 Festival Self Average Similar →
1967 The Desperate Ones Kisielev Super Hit Similar →
1966 Noon Wine Homer T. Hatch Hit Similar →
1966 The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! The Russian captain Average Similar →
1965 Sands of the Kalahari Bondrechai Average Similar →
1964 My Fair Lady Zoltan Karpathy Super Hit Similar →
1959 Woman Obsessed Dr. R. W. Gibbs Hit Similar →
1959 A Dog of Flanders Piet van Gelder Hit Similar →
1958 I Want to Live! Carl G.G. Palmberg Hit Similar →
1958 The Defiant Ones Sheriff Max Muller Hit Similar →
1958 I Bury the Living Andy McKee Average Similar →
1958 Fraulein Col. Dimitri Bucaron Super Hit Similar →
1957 The Enemy Below Heinie Schwaffer Hit Similar →
1957 The Pride and the Passion General Jouvet Average Similar →
1955 Above Us the Waves German Officer Average Similar →
1955 The Colditz Story Vandy Hit Similar →
1954 The Divided Heart Josip Hit Similar →
1954 The Young Lovers Joseph Average Similar →
1954 Forbidden Cargo Max Hit Similar →
1953 The Kidnappers Dr. Willem Bloem Hit Similar →
1953 A Day to Remember Henri Dubot Hit Similar →
1953 Melba Paul Brotha Average Similar →
1953 Desperate Moment Anton Hit Similar →
1952 Moulin Rouge King Milo IV of Serbia Hit Similar →
1952 The African Queen First Officer Hit Similar →

Theodore Bikel - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Theodore Bikel?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Theodore Bikel is "Saint Joan" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Theodore Bikel acted in?

Theodore Bikel has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Theodore Bikel?

Other notable films include "Prince Jack", "Very Close Quarters", and "Fraulein".

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