Movies have the power to transport us to new worlds, introduce us to unforgettable characters, and leave a lasting impact on our lives. And at the heart of every great film is an actor or actress who brings their role to life. However, some actors seem to be in every other film we watch. They seem to have an endless supply of energy and talent, constantly tackling new roles and bringing their unique skills to the big screen. These actors have dedicated their lives to the craft of acting, and that shows in the sheer number of films they have appeared in. From classic Hollywood icons to modern-day superstars, these are actors from all eras and genres.
Whether they are known for their dramatic performances or their comedic timing, these actors have proven time and time again that they have what it takes to captivate audiences. But what makes an actor able to appear in so many films? Is it their range as an actor, their ability to adapt to different roles or their dedication to their craft? Whatever the reason, one thing is certain: these actors have left a lasting mark on the film industry and will continue to do so for years to come. So, who are the actors who have starred in the most movies? You might be surprised by some of the names on this list.
Updated on June 6, 2024: This article has been updated with additional content by Soniya Hinduja to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
Clint Eastwood is a household name in Hollywood, and with good reason. He has starred in a staggering 82 films, making him a true icon of the film industry. But Eastwood’s journey to fame wasn’t always easy. After serving in the Korean War, he worked as a lifeguard and lumberjack before finding his way into the entertainment industry. It wasn’t until the 1960s that Eastwood made a name for himself, thanks to his portrayal of the iconic character The Man with No Name in the Dollars Trilogy of spaghetti westerns.
From there, he went on to star in a wide range of films, including Dirty Harry, Unforgiven, and Gran Torino. Eastwood is known for his rugged good looks and strong presence on screen; his talent as an actor is undeniable. But he is also a skilled director and producer, having directed and produced several critically acclaimed films. His contributions to the film industry have earned him numerous awards and accolades, cementing his place as a true Hollywood legend.
Robert Duvall has a longstanding career spanning over seven decades, but the actor’s commitment to each performance never allowed him to build a larger body of work. However, we will bet you recognize most movies where Duvall stars. With 93 credits to his name, even his low-profile films are excellent. Born in San Diego, California in 1931 and coming from a military household, Duvall was expected to follow tradition, but his path would be different from the one led by his father.
Duvall attended the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City under Sanford Meisner. He was formed with the likes of Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman, and James Caan. His big break came in 1962 with To Kill a Mockingbird. Although nominated multiple times for his acting roles, Duvall finally won the coveted Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Tender Mercies. You will likely remember him from his roles in productions such as The Godfather Part Part II, Apocalypse Now, The Apostle, A Civil Action, The Judge, The Outfit, The Conversation, Network, True Confessions, Days of Thunder, and an early adaptation of The Handmaid’s Tale.
Bette Davis is a name that is synonymous with Hollywood glamour. She starred in a total of 99 films, earning her a reputation as one of the greatest actresses of all time. Davis began her career in the 1930s, and it wasn’t long before she became a leading lady in Hollywood. Her talent and dedication to her craft earned her numerous awards, including two Academy Awards for Best Actress.
Some of her most memorable roles include All About Eve, Jezebel, and What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?. But, Davis wasn’t just known for her acting abilities. She was also known for her feisty personality and strong will, which sometimes caused conflicts on set. Nevertheless, she remained a beloved figure in Hollywood, and her legacy lives on today.
Anthony Hopkins is a Welsh actor who has starred in a total of 99 films. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, a role that earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. But Hopkins has also made a name for himself in a wide range of other films, including The Elephant Man, Nixon, and Thor.
He has proven time and time again that he can transform into any character, no matter how complex or challenging. In addition to his film work, Hopkins is also a talented stage actor, appearing in numerous Broadway and West End productions. His talent and dedication to his craft have earned him numerous awards and accolades, making him one of the most respected actors in the industry.
Christopher Plummer is another recognizable face you’ve likely seen in way too many films to list by yourself. Born in Canada in 1939 to working-class parents, his mother favored his artistic side by encouraging him to play the piano. Plummer began acting while attending the High School of Montreal and was inspired to perfect his craft after watching Laurence Olivier’s Henry V. He would learn the basics of the trade as an apprentice with the Montreal Repertory Theatre.
Plummer’s professional acting debut was in 1948 with Ottawa’s Stage Society alongside William Shatner. He finally made his film debut in the movie Stage Struck in 1958. Plummer received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Beginners, but he would round up a hefty body of work with 119 film credits to his name before his untimely passing in 2021. Some of his most notable works are A Beautiful Mind, Knives Out, The Man Who Would Be King, The Insider, The Sound of Music, All the Money in the World, and Malcolm X.
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Ray Milland was a British actor who starred in a total of 132 films during his career. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of alcoholic writer Don Birnam in The Lost Weekend, a role that earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. Milland began his career in the 1920s and quickly made a name for himself in Hollywood. He appeared in a wide range of films, including A Life of Her Own, Dial M for Murder, and Love Story.
Milland was known for his good looks and charm and was a popular leading man in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s. But he was also a talented actor, and he proved time and time again that he had the range to tackle a wide variety of roles. Despite his success in Hollywood, Milland remained humble and dedicated to his craft. He continued to act well into his 70s, and his contributions to the film industry have left a lasting mark.
James Hong is an actor who has appeared in an impressive 133 films during his career. He is perhaps best known for his roles in Blade Runner, Big Trouble in Little China, and Kung Fu Panda. Hong was born in Minnesota and moved to Los Angeles as a young man to pursue a career in acting. He quickly made a name for himself in Hollywood and became a film industry mainstay.
Hong is known for his versatility as an actor and has played a wide range of roles throughout his career. He has appeared in everything from action films to comedies, and he can bring depth and complexity to even the smallest of roles.
Here’s a remarkable fact about Anthony Quinn: his real name was Manuel Antonio Rodolfo Quinn Oaxaca. In his early days, he was a professional boxer to earn money. He would later study art and architecture under Frank Lloyd Wright in his Wisconsin studio, Taliesin. His acting career began in 1936, and he was active until the last days of his life in 2001. Quinn twice won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor: for Viva Zapata! in 1952 and Lust for Life in 1956.
In 1987, he was awarded the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award. A fervent civil-rights activist, he’s considered a seminal figure of Latin American representation in Hollywood. He starred in 145 films, with some of the most notable being Zorba the Greek, Lawrence of Arabia, Lion of the Desert, The Guns of Navarone, The Message, Requiem for a Heavyweight, The Old Man in the Sea, and La Strada. His final film role would be an action flick alongside Sylvester Stallone named Avenging Angelo.
Michael Caine is a British actor who has appeared in over 147 movies throughout his career. He first gained fame in the 1960s with his roles in films such as Alfie and The Italian Job. Since then, Caine has become one of the most respected actors in Hollywood, known for his versatility and ability to portray a wide range of characters.
Some of his most memorable roles include his performances in Batman Begins, The Cider House Rules, and The Prestige. Caine has won two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor and has been nominated for numerous other awards throughout his career. His talent and dedication to his craft have made him a beloved figure in the film industry.
Ernest Borgnine is one of those faces you get familiar with after watching him in a couple of films, and you had better believe he was in many of them. This working actor began his life in Hamden, Connecticut, back in 1917. A former Naval Officer, Borgnine served twice and was honorably discharged after WWII with the grade of gunner’s mate first class. He made it into acting, thanks to his mother, who highlighted that he liked to make a fool out of himself in front of everyone.
Ten years later, he would get an Academy Award handed by Grace Kelly for Best Actor for his impeccable role in the film Marty. For Borgnine, there’s no such thing as a small part. The actor got to make 148 films as lead or in supporting roles. His trademark gap-toothed grin gave him a feeble appearance, and he was considered an industry mainstay for many years until his passing in 2012. Some of his most notable works include From Here to Eternity, Bad Day at Black Rock, Night Club, The Wild Bunch, and The Dirty Dozen.
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Donald Sutherland is a Canadian actor who has appeared in over 156 movies throughout his career. He first gained fame in the 1970s with his roles in films such as M.A.S.H. and Don’t Look Now. Since then, Sutherland has become known for his versatility and ability to portray a wide range of characters.
Some of his most memorable roles include his performances in JFK, Six Degrees of Separation, and Pride and Prejudice. He’s even involved in major franchises like The Hunger Games. Sutherland has been nominated for numerous awards throughout his career, including a Golden Globe and an Emmy.
Popularly known as “The Queen of Hollywood Extras,” Bess Flowers may have around 165 movies under the bag, but her movie credits rise to at least 972. Flowers started her career in the 1920s and has made powerful appearances throughout the decades.
Flowers received massive critical acclaim for movies like The Shadow, We Faw Down, and Beginner’s Luck. Her ability to bring nuance in an otherwise methodical role made her stand out among the rest. Her final acting role before her death in 1984 was in the TV series The Red Skelton Hour.
Susan Sarandon is an American actress who has appeared in over 168 movies throughout her career. She first gained fame in the 1970s with her roles in films such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Thelma & Louise. Since then, Sarandon has become one of the most respected actresses in Hollywood, known for her versatility and ability to portray a wide range of characters.
Some of her most remarkable roles include her performances in Dead Man Walking, Anywhere but Here, and Bull Durham. Sarandon has won an Academy Award for Best Actress and has been nominated for numerous other awards throughout her career.
Samuel L. Jackson is an American actor who has appeared in over 174 movies throughout his career. He first gained fame in the 1990s with his roles in Pulp Fiction and the Unbreakable films. Since then, Jackson has become one of the most popular actors in Hollywood, known for his versatility and ability to portray a wide range of characters.
Jackson is best known for many roles, including his performances in Django Unchained, The Avengers, and Unbreakable. Jackson has been nominated for numerous awards throughout his career, including a BAFTA and a Golden Globe. His talent and dedication to his craft have made him a beloved figure in the film industry.
James Earl Jones has a richness that is instantly recognizable. Born in Mississippi in 1931, he had a stutter throughout his childhood, but he managed to find escape and learning in theater. Today, his powerful voice and stage presence can be noticed anywhere. In the late 1950s, Jones made his Broadway debut. Since then, he has lent his voice to some of the most iconic characters in the history of cinema and established himself as an award-winning veteran.
One of James Earl Jones’ most celebrated roles is that of the voice of Darth Vadar in the original Star Wars trilogy. Despite the villain donning a mask at all times, Jones’ raspy and deep voice made him all the more terrifying and memorable. While he shines in serious roles, he has also displayed incredible comedic timing in hits like Field of Dreams and Coming to America. From playing Lt. Lothar Zogg in Dr. Strangelove to voicing Mufasa in 2019’s The Lion King, Jones has 189 credits to his name and is one of the most versatile actors of all time.
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Mickey Rooney is an actor with a career spanning nearly nine decades. He made his acting debut at just six years old and quickly rose to fame with his energetic and lively performances. Rooney is best known for his roles in films like Boys Town, The Human Comedy, and National Velvet. Throughout his career, he has appeared in over 190 movies, making him one of the actors with the most film credits to his name.
But it’s not just the sheer number of movies that makes Rooney stand out. His talent and range as an actor are undeniable. He has tackled everything from comedy to drama and has received numerous accolades for his performances. Whether he was playing a mischievous teenager or a wise old man, Rooney brought a unique energy and vitality to every role he played.
Jackie Chan is another actor who has appeared in a staggering number of movies. With over 190 film credits to his name, he is known for his unique blend of action and comedy. Chan first gained fame in Hong Kong cinema, where he made a name for himself with his acrobatic fighting style and comedic timing. He later gained international fame with roles in films like Rush Hour and Shanghai Noon.
But it’s not just his acting skills that make Chan stand out. He is also known for his elaborate and daring stunt work, often performing his stunts in his movies. This dedication to authenticity and excitement has made him a fan favorite and cemented his place as one of the most beloved action stars in the world.
Harry Strang was an actor who appeared in over 196 movies throughout his career. He was a stalwart of Hollywood’s Golden Age, appearing in numerous classic films in the 1930s and 1940s. Strang was known for his versatility and range as an actor, easily tackling everything from drama to comedy. Some of his most memorable roles include Charlie Chan in Shanghai, Dick Tracy’s Dilemma, and North by Northwest.
Despite his long list of film credits, Strang is perhaps best known for his work in horror movies. His performances in these films were always tinged with a sense of vulnerability and desperation, making him a perfect choice for these types of roles.
Ward Bond was an actor who appeared in over 200 movies throughout his career. He was a fixture of Hollywood’s Golden Age, appearing in numerous classic films in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. Bond was known for his rugged good looks and strong presence, often playing tough, no-nonsense characters. Some of his most memorable roles include It’s a Wonderful Life, The Searchers, and Hondo.
But it’s not just his acting skills that made Bond stand out. He was also known for his off-screen personality, often known for his practical jokes and pranks on set. His good nature and easygoing personality made him a popular choice for directors and fellow actors alike.
Many of the actors in this ranking accumulate an impressive body of work for grinding constantly. Richard Riehle is not a household name in the industry, but we are willing to bet you’d likely recognize his face from multiple films, as the man has played numerous supporting roles. Riehle began acting at the Meadow Brook Theatre in Rochester, Michigan.
While Riehle landed many roles on TV in renowned shows such as Murder, She Wrote, LA Law, Ally McBeal, Chicago Hope, The West Wing, and ER, he also has 209 film credits to his name in high-profile productions such as Casino, Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas, The Fugitive, Office Space, Lethal Weapon 4, and Bridesmaids. He’s still active with recent appearances in films like Three from Hell from Rob Zombie and a low-budget sci-fi story named Destination Marfa.
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