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 appear in nearly every movie 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.
So, who are the actors who have starred in the most movies? You might be surprised by some of the names on this list.
10
Robert Loggia
138 Movies
Rising from Staten Island to international fame, Robert Loggia took an unlikely path toward success and longevity. After a stint in the Army, he attended acting school under the guidance of Stella Adler and began his career in television before transitioning to movies. His charm and innate ability to portray all sorts of characters across genres — like gangsters to comedians — made Loggia a celebrated actor. Loggia was the quintessential character actor.
Having had 235 credits on IMDb across TV and film, focusing just on movies, he boasts an impressive 138 film credits to his name according to Letterboxd. Some of his most beloved roles include Mr. Freddie MacMillan in Big, for which he won the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also starred in movies such as Scarface, The Greatest Story Ever Told, The Pink Panther films, Prizzi’s Honor, Return to Me, and Independence Day. Though he never won an Oscar, he earned a special place in our hearts through his perseverance and talent.
9
Walter Brennan
166 Movies
Few actors can top Walter Brennan’s serendipitous journey towards Hollywood fame and eventual legacy. An Idaho native, the actor had been interested in acting since his school days, but stumbled on various jobs ranging from a bank clerk to real estate agent before finally finding his way to a movie set. Brennan was so charming that he was immediately offered a role, and he never looked back. On IMDb, Walter Brennan is listed with 244 credits, while the American Film Institute credits him with 166 movie roles.
With a career spanning five decades in movies and TV, Brennan specialized in playing wise and witty characters. From con artists to greedy businessmen, he crafted a storybook career for himself. Some of his most celebrated performances were in movies like Sergeant York, My Darling Clementine, Red River, and Meet John Doe. Brennen racked up an Oscar each for Best Actor in Supporting Role for Come and Get It, Kentucky, and The Westerner, and became the only actor to win three awards in the category.
8
Michael Ironside
194 Movies
The Canadian actor is best known for playing hardened villains and tough guys, but his ascent to stardom was anything but direct. Michael Ironside found his passion as a playwright at the age of fifteen and won a bunch of accolades before catching his big break in 1981, when he played the role of an evil telepath in David Cronenberg’s Scanners. Though seldom the leading man, Ironside had the sheer ability to command the screen, which he blessed the industry with for over five decades.
Whether portraying intimidating antagonists or grizzled soldiers, Ironside was ferocious and unforgettable in every role, striving to completely vanish into the character. Some of his classic appearances were in Top Gun, Starship Troopers, Total Recall, and The Machinist. With just under 200 film credits on Letterboxd, his continual success in both film and television has him likely to break the 200-movie mark. Overall, Ironside has carved out a successful career doing what he loves with all his heart.
7
John Carradine
211 Movies
John Carradine is a Hollywood legend and a true icon of the film industry. He was a versatile actor who could tackle any role, from drama to comedy to horror. Carradine’s career spanned over five decades, and he appeared in some of the most iconic films of all time. According to IMDb, one of the online film industry’s most exhaustive databases, Carradine has 352 acting credits across film and TV. The American Film Institute has him credited with 211 movie roles.
He is best known for his roles in The Grapes of Wrath, House of the Long Shadows, and the classic horror film Billy the Kid Versus Dracula. He also appeared in numerous television shows, including To the Last Man and Westwind. Carradine’s talent and dedication to his craft made him a valuable asset to any film or television project. His legacy as a performer endures to this day, and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest actors of all time. His kids would continue on his legacy, with his son, David Carradine, garnering his own impressive legacy with 240 credited roles across TV and film.
6
Gertrude Astor
226 Movies
Gertrude Astor is a Hollywood pioneer who appeared in over 226 movies during her career, according to the American Film Institute. However, on IMDb, the iconic Golden Age actor has appeared in over 360 films and TV series. She was one of the first actresses to transition from silent films to talkies. She proved to be a versatile and talented performer, appearing in numerous productions and making a name for herself.
When the transition to sound films was made, Astor’s career took off, and she appeared in a wide range of movies, from comedies to dramas to horror films. Astor was best known for her roles in films like The Sound of Music and Stage Struck. She was a pioneering actress who paved the way for future generations of actresses in the film industry. Her uncredited film roles put her closer to the 300+ mark.
5
Danny Trejo
341 Movies
Danny Trejo is a Hollywood icon with an impressive career, having appeared in 482 roles across film and TV, according to IMDb. On Letterboxd, his name is attached to 341 movies. He has been a staple in the film industry for decades, playing both supporting and lead roles in a variety of genres. He remains one of the most prolific actors in Hollywood history, with various productions in development, meaning his numbers are only set to increase.
Trejo is best known for his appearances in the Machete film series and his memorable roles in From Dusk Till Dawn, Heat, and Desperado. His talent and dedication to his craft have made him a fan favorite and a respected actor in the industry. Trejo has also acted as an inspiration to many, turning a difficult upbringing into a one-of-a-kind career. His outgoing persona and his business acumen, including his restaurant Trejo Taco’s, have only helped solidify his place in pop culture.
4
Eric Roberts
661 Movies
Eric Roberts is infamous for never saying “no” to a role, whether it is playing a talking cat or as a talking head in one kid’s delusions that master karate will bring his father back from the dead; it has been a complex career. Still, Roberts has appeared in a wide range of films, from blockbuster hits to independent productions, and has proven to be a versatile and talented performer. Roberts got his start in the film industry in the 1980s and quickly became a sought-after actor. He is best known for his roles in films like Runaway Train, Star 80, The Pope of Greenwich Village, and The Dark Knight, but the majority of his movies are direct-to-digital or direct-to-video.
Roberts is known for his ability to adapt to any role and bring a unique energy to his performances. He has played lead and supporting roles in various genres, and his talent and dedication to his craft have made him a respected actor in the industry despite his appearance in some less-than-stellar productions. IMDb has him listed with 795 total acting credits, with 92 currently in production. Letterboxd, has his current movie credits at 661.
3
Bess Flowers
900+ Movies
Popularly known as “The Queen of Hollywood Extras,” Bess Flowers has 238 movie credits according to The American Film Institute. However, this number is rather deceiving. Looking at IMDb, Bess Flowers has over 1120 credits across TV and film. Bess would become the background actor, with most of her filmography coming via uncredited background roles.
Flowers almost always appeared in the background, with her ‘notable roles’ coming via ones where she would appear more than once in the background in films such as It Happened One Night (1934), The Women (1939), and My Man Godfrey (1936). Still, she would always convey the elegance of the Hollywood lifestyle, often seen as a debutant or the life of the party in the background of many iconic films. Next time you check out a classic, keep an eye out for her.
2
Kanneganti Brahmanandam
1,000+ Movies
Known simply as Brahmanandam, this Indian actor and comedian holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the most screen credits of any living actor, surpassing one thousand movies back in 2015 — and he’s only been acting since 1985. To date, IMDb has him credited with 1196 credits, with the number still growing.
While the Western world may never have heard of him, he’s known to billions for his Telugu films, with Money and its sequel Money Money among his biggest hits. Starting off his career in education, earning a Master of Arts degree, Brahmanandam would find his calling in acting has become cherished for his impeccable timing in both line-delivering and physical comedy. Still, with that many films, he still has a way to go to beat the all-time record holder for most film credits.
1
Manorama
1,500+ Movies
Born Gopishantha but famously known as Manorama, the Indian actress is legendary for her career not only in more than 1,500 films and in five thousand stage performances throughout her 60 years of acting. The exact numbers are hard to quantify, with IMDb only listing 100 credits. However, with her career coming earlier in the history of Indian cinema, there are many titles absent from the site during the period in which Manorama would become a screen icon.
Manorama appeared in films in many languages, including Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, and Sinhalese, reaching a massive audience in her time. Manorama would act as an early pioneer for women in the industry, bringing a diverse talent of acting, comedy, and singing to the medium that made her known as an unintentional scene stealer in many productions. Her roles in Bama Vijayam (1967) and Thillana Mohanambal (1968) remain among her most popular, remaining culturally relevant decades after the films’ release.