30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (2024)

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30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (1)

30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (2)

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30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (3)

We all have our favorite actors, the ones we get excited about when they announce their latest roles. But which actor’s face always seems to be in the newest Hollywood blockbuster or the latest TV series? If you answered Tom Hanks, Morgan Freeman, Robert De Niro, or Julia Roberts, you’d be wrong. While these actors have been in plenty of movies, they don’t even break the top ten.

The production of thousands of movies and television series annually makes the movie industry one of the busiest in the world and necessitates the employment of many active performers. However, these renowned actors and actresses would surpass all other actors in terms of acting credentials, regardless of how hard other actors worked. So who has been in the most movies and shows? For actors who are famous for their live-action roles, some of them are the hardest-working men and women in show business. Your favorite actors likely have dozens, if not hundreds of credits under their names.

30 Bette Davis

124 acting credits

Popular Movies

Years of Release

'Dark Victory'

1939

'Now, Voyager'

1942

'All About Eve'

1950

'What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?'

1962

'The Watcher in the Woods'

1980

30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (4)

Bette Davis, born Ruth Elizabeth Davis in 1908, was an American actor with a career spanning almost 50 years and 124 acting credits under her belt. She was one of the most iconic actors from Hollywood's Golden Age for her performances in a variety of movie genres and for portraying characters who were cold and sarcastic.

Davis’ first acting credit was for the movie Bad Sister (1931) in which she played Laura Madison, establishing her career forwards. After that, hardly ever a year went by without the release of a film starring Bette Davis. She is most famous for her role as Margo in the 1950 film, All About Eve, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962), Dark Victory (1939), and Now, Voyager (1942). Moreover, Davis won two Oscars for her performances in Dangerous (1935) and Jezebel (1938) throughout her successful career.

29 Nicolas Cage

125 Acting Credits

Popular Movies

Years of Release

'The Rock'

1996

'Face/Off'

1997

'Con Air'

1997

'Lord of War'

2005

'Next'

2007

30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (5)

Nicolas Cage was born Nicolas Kim Coppola on January, 7 1964 and is the nephew of Oscar-winning director, Francis Ford Coppola. The actor changed his name to separate himself from his famous roots and established himself during the 1990s with hit films such as Con Air, The Rock, and Face/Off, becoming one of the decade's most popular leading men.

Cage won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the 1995 drama Leaving Las Vegas and earned a second nomination in the category in 2002 for Adaptation. With an impressive 125 acting credits, Cage shows no signs of slowing down any time soon after recently starring in the successful horror thriller, Longlegs, as well as several other films in the past few years, such as The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent with Pedro Pascal and Dream Scenario. — Andrea Ciriaco

28 Robert Mitchum

132 acting credits

Popular Movies

Years of Release

'Out of the Past'

1947

'The Night of the Hunter'

1955

'The Enemy Below'

1957

'The Longest Day'

1962

'Cape Fear'

1991

30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (6)

Robert Mitchum has been regarded as the heart and soul of classic noir and is ranked as one of the biggest stars from Hollywood's Golden Age. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Mitchum rose to stardom in the mid-1940s after receiving an Oscar nomination for his performance in the 1945 film, The Story of G.I. Joe. He went on to star in an array of film genres, such as Westerns, comedy dramas, and thrillers, including River of No Return, El Dorado, and The Night of the Hunter.

The actor went on to star in dozens of classic films, including Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison, Cape Fear, The Friends of Eddie Coyle, and Farewell, My Lovely. The American Film Institute ranked Mitchum as the 23rd greatest actor of all time and, with 132 acting credits, he rightfully earned his spot on the list of one hundred notable names. — Andrea Ciriaco

27 Myrna Loy

141 Acting Credits

Popular Movies

Years of Release

'The Thin Man'

1934

'After the Thin Man'

1936

'The Best Years of Our Lives'

1946

'Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House'

1948

'Meet Me in St. Louis'

1959

30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (7)

Classic film icon, Myrna Loy, was one of the most versatile performers during Hollywood's Golden Age and gained notoriety for her ability to adapt to her on-screen partner's acting styles. Born in Helena, Montana, Loy's career peaked in the 1940s with hit films such as The Best Years of Our Lives, The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer, and Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream Home with Cary Grant. She also became widely recognized for her reoccurring role as Nora Charles in The Thin Man films series co-starring William Powell.

Surprisingly, Loy never received an Academy Award nomination throughout her lengthy career and is one of few stars who The Guardian named as one of the best actors to have never earned an Oscar nomination. Despite her baffling lack of recognition by the Academy, Loy is one of the most beloved classic film stars who many today admire for her genuine charm and stunning beauty that establishes her as a cinematic icon. — Andrea Ciriaco

26 Robert Duvall

146 acting credits

Popular Movies

Years of Release

'Tender Mercies'

1983

'The Apostle'

1997

'Open Range'

2003

'Get Low'

2009

'The Judge'

2014

30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (8)

Making his film debut as Boo Radley alongside Gregory Peck in the 1962 classic To Kill a Mockingbird, Robert Duvall has made a name for himself ever since, seamlessly transitioning from the stage, where he began his illustrious acting career, to the big screen.

Duvall has worked with some heavy hitter directors in his time, appearing as the lead in George Lucas’ directorial debut THX 1138 (1971) and Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather (1972), The Godfather: Part II (1974) and Apocalypse Now (1979). Despite his only Oscar win in 1984 – Best Lead Actor for Tender Mercies – Duvall has continued to flex his acting muscles in Deep Impact (1998) and The Judge (2014), with a movie due for release this year and one currently in production.

25 Jackie Chan

150 acting credits

Popular Movies

Years of Release

'Police Story'

1985

'Who Am I?'

1998

'Rush Hour'

1998

'Shanghai Noon'

2000

'Kung Fu Panda'

2008

30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (9)

Jackie Chan is no stranger to moviegoers and fans of great martial arts films, gaining fame for his action-comedy style. Some of his most popular movies include Drunken Master (1978), Police Story (1985 - 1992), Rush Hour (1998), and Shanghai Noon (2000). Moreover, Chan has received numerous accolades for his contributions to film and philanthropy. He has been recognized with awards like the Honorary Oscar for his extraordinary achievements and lifelong dedication to the industry.

Chan's first credited role in a film was in the 1962 movie titled Big and Little Wong Tin Bar. At the time, Chan was only eight years old. Although considered a minor role, it marked the beginning of his prolific career in the film industry. He later goes on to be in numerous action-comedy blockbusters such as Rush Hour, Shanghai Noon, Shanghai Knights (2003), and Kung Fu Panda (2008). Chan's latest appearance is in the animated movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023) where he voices Splinter.

24 Anthony Hopkins

151 acting credits

Popular Movies

Years of Release

'The Silence of the Lambs'

1991

'Bram Stoker's Dracula'

1992

'The Remains of the Day'

1993

'The Mask of Zorro'

1998

'Hitchcock'

2012

30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (10)

Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins started his career with a recurring television spot in 1960 but is probably best known for his stint as Hannibal Lector in the hugely successful The Silence of the Lambs (1991) and its less-successful follow-ups, Hannibal (2001) and Red Dragon (2002). With a penchant for playing evil characters, Hopkins, now aged in his 80s, has continued to take on big roles.

He’s reprised his role as Odin in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Thor (2011), Thor: The Dark World (2013), and Thor: Ragnarok (2017), as well as notable performances in Hitchcock (2012), The Two Popes (2019), The Father (2020) – the last of which earned him an Oscar for Best Actor – and as Dr. Robert Ford in the TV series Westworld (2016 - 2018). Hopkins is showing no signs of stopping any time soon, as he's voiced the character Jimmy in the Rebel Moon (2023) franchise.

23 Shelley Winters

163 acting credits

Popular Movies

Years of Release

'Lolita'

1962

'A Patch of Blue'

1965

'The Poseidon Adventure'

1972

'Pete's Dragon'

1977

'The Silence of the Hams'

1994

30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (11)

Shelley Winters is one of the most celebrated actresses of classic cinema and is best known for her roles in films such as The Diary of Anne Frank, A Place in the Sun, and Lolita. The Oscar-winning actress was born in St. Louis, Missouri and started her acting career on Broadway before transitioning into films, making her first on-screen appearance in an uncredited role in the 1943 movie, There's Something About a Solider.

Her breakthrough performance came in George Cukor's 1947 film, A Double Life, which led to Winters signing a long-term contract with Universal Pictures. While Winters initially made headway as a blonde bombshell, she quickly proved her range and talent, taking on more serious roles in films like The Raging Tide and Phone Call From a Stranger, that solidified her as a promising box office star. Winters was the recipient of two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress for The Diary of Anne Frank and A Patch of Blue, deeming her to be one of Hollywood's greatest female stars. — Andrea Ciriaco

22 Susan Sarandon

170 acting credits

Popular Movies

Years of Release

'The Rocky Horror Picture Show'

1975

'Thelma & Louise'

1991

'The Client'

1994

'Little Women'

1994

'Stepmom'

1998

30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (12)

Born Susan Abigail Tomalin, Susan Sarandon is one of the most prolific leading actors in the business. Sarandon’s film career started in 1970 with a major role in the movie Joe, followed five years later with the now-iconic role of Janet in the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, she showed off her range, starring in fan favorites The Witches of Eastwick (1987), Bull Durham (1988), and, of course, the iconic Thelma & Louise (1991).

After four Oscar nominations, Sarandon finally won the Best Leading Actress Oscar for her role as Sister Helen Prejean in Dead Man Walking (1995), opposite Sean Penn. Her most recent film that got a wide release was DC's Blue Beetle (2023) and between then and now, she has continued to appear regularly on stage and screen (both big and small) and currently has multiple movies in pre-production.

21 Ray Milland

175 acting credits

Popular Movies

Years of Release

'The Uninvited'

1944

'The Lost Weekend'

1945

'Dial M for Murder'

1954

'Love Story'

1970

'Escape to Witch Mountain'

1975

30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (13)

Ray Milland, the famous actor known mostly for his appearance in The Last Weekend (1945) also happened to earn him his very first Oscar win. Born Alfred Reginald Jones, Milland’s screen career ran from 1929 to 1985 with 175 acting credits attached to his name. Before landing his first significant role in The Flying Scotsman (1929), he worked as an extra in several British productions after leaving the army.

In addition to The Thief (1952), for which he received his second Golden Globe nomination, Milland also starred in Dial M for Murder (1954), Love Story (1970), The Uninvited (1944), Beau Geste (1939), Billy Wilder's The Major and the Minor (1942), and The Big Clock (1948). He also attempted directing and television acting as well.

20 Michael Caine

177 acting credits

Popular Movies

Years of Release

'Alfie'

1966

'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels'

1988

'The Prestige'

2006

'The Dark Knight'

2008

'Kingsman: The Secret Service'

2014

30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (14)

After returning from fighting for the British army in the Korean War, Maurice Joseph Micklewhite – best known by his screen name Michael Caine – decided to try acting. The international attention he garnered for his role as the snobbish Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead in Zulu (1964) catapulted his career; his turn as the titular character in Alfie (1966) solidified it. The proof of his acting prowess lies in the fact that he’s been nominated for an Academy Award every decade for the past five consecutive decades.

Of late, Caine is best known for playing Batman’s loyal butler, Alfred Pennyworth, in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy and has appeared in several more of Nolan’s movies, including Inception (2010) and Interstellar (2014). In 2021, Caine shut down rumors that he was retiring from acting and, to prove the point, has acted in the recently released The Great Escaper (2023).

19 James Earl Jones

190 acting credits

Popular Movies

Years of Release

'Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope'

1977

'Coming to America'

1988

'Field of Dreams'

1989

'The Hunt for Red October'

1990

'The Lion King'

2019

30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (15)

“No, I am your father!” While it is the voice of Darth Vader that James Earl Jones is best known for, Jones is considered one of the greatest stage and screen actors in the US and internationally. Jones got his big-screen break as Lieutenant Lothar Zogg in the Stanley Kubrick classic Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964).

In addition to loaning his deep, resonant voice to the Star Wars franchise, Jones also voiced Mufasa in The Lion King (2019). The prodigious actor has moved effortlessly between television and movie roles throughout his career, giving us memorable performances in Soul Man (1986) and Coming to America (1988), a role that he reprised in the 2021 sequel Coming 2 America.

18 Donald Sutherland

200 acting credits

Popular Movies

Years of Release

'A Farewell to Arms'

1966

'M*A*S*H'

1970

'Casanova'

1976

'Pride & Prejudice'

2005

'The Hunger Games'

2012

30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (16)

Standing at 6’4”, Canadian actor Donald Sutherland sets himself apart not only in terms of his stature but because of his lengthy acting career. He started in bit parts alongside another prolific actor, Christopher Lee, before securing his first big role as a last-minute replacement for the dopey Vernon Pinkley in the war movie The Dirty Dozen (1967). The movie was a hit and led to the starring role in another war film: M*A*S*H (1970).

A true character actor, stand-out performances in Klute (1971), Oliver Stone’s JFK (1991), Cold Mountain (2003), and The Italian Job (2003) have secured Sutherland’s position amongst Hollywood’s acting elite. He was introduced to President Snow in the Hunger Games trilogy to younger audiences. Although he’s never won an Academy Award for any of his numerous roles, Sutherland rightfully received an Honorary Oscar in 2018 for his contribution to film. The most recent movie in his filmography is the underrated film Miranda's Victim (2023).

17 Danny Glover

205 acting credits

Popular Movies

Years of Release

'The Color Purple'

1985

'Lethal Weapon'

1987

'Angels in the Outfield'

1994

'Operation Dumbo Drop'

1995

'The Last Black Man in San Francisco'

2019

30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (17)

Danny Glover has been a presence on stage, screen, and television for over 35 years. Glover’s Broadway debut in “Master Harold”…and the Boys brought him national attention. It led to his being cast in the Oscar-nominated movie Places in the Heart (1984) alongside Sally Field, Ed Harris, and John Malkovich.

During his time in Hollywood, Glover has appeared in everything from the blockbuster Lethal Weapon franchise to more subtle roles in Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple (1985), Dreamgirls (2006), and Death at a Funeral (2010). Glover has multiple movies due for release this year and, also in 2022, received an Honorary Oscar – the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award – for decades of activism and service.

16 Vincent Price

210 acting credits

Popular Movies

Years of Release

'Laura'

1944

'The Fly'

1958

'House on Haunted Hill'

1959

'Edward Scissorhands'

1990

'The Thief and the Cobbler'

1993

30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (18)

Vincent Price is widely known for his horror and thrilling films, such as House of Wax, The Raven, and House on Haunted Hill, but the star appeared in dozens of notable classic films early in his career, including Laura and Leave Her to Heaven. The iconic character actor was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and made his feature film debut as the lead in the 1938 film Service de Luxe. He went on to appear in a vast variety of films such as The House of the Seven Gables, The Song of Bernadette, and Dragonwyck.

By the mid-1950s, Price had established himself as a staple of the horror genre, starring in an array of classics, including The Fly, The Tingler, and The Last Man on Earth. He is also known for his appearances in dozens of Edgar Allan Poe-adapted films, like The Pit and the Pendulum, House of Usher, and The Haunted Palace. Some of his final film roles included providing the voice of Professor Ratagin in Disney's The Great Mouse Detective and The Inventor in Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands, marking his final on-screen role. — Andrea Ciriaco

15 Samuel L. Jackson

215 acting credits

Popular Movies

Years of Release

'Uncle Tom's Cabin'

1987

'Goodfellas'

1990

'Pulp Fiction'

1994

'The Avengers'

2012

'The Hateful Eight'

2015

30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (19)

Appearing consistently (and multiple times per year) on our screens since 1972 – a career that spans 50 years – there's no doubt that there's a demand for Samuel L. Jackson's movies and TV shows . A highly prolific actor, Jackson’s appeared in close to 200 movies, from the 1990s hits Patriot Games (1992) and Die Hard: With A Vengeance (1995) to M. Night Shyamalan’s Unbreakable (2000) and Snakes on a Plane (2006). Then there are the Star Wars prequels and his appearance as Nick Fury in eleven Marvel Cinematic Universe movies (so far).

As Quentin Tarantino’s most-cast actor, Jackson has appeared in the Tarantino-penned True Romance (1993) and Tarantino-directed movies Pulp Fiction (1994), Jackie Brown (1997), Kill Bill: Vol 2 (2004), Inglourious Basterds (2009), Django Unchained (2012) and The Hateful Eight (2015). In 2022 Jackson received an Honorary Oscar, recognizing his body of work.

14 Louis Gossett Jr.

211 acting credits

Popular Movies

Years of Release

'A Raisin in the Sun'

1961

'An Officer and a Gentleman'

1982

'Toy Soldiers'

1991

'Lackawanna Blues'

2005

'The Color Purple'

2023

30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (20)

Louis Gossett Jr. is an American actor, humanitarian, and producer who rose to prominence with his role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman. His performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, making him the first African-American male to win in that category. This role solidified his presence in Hollywood and showcased his talent and versatility as an actor.

Throughout his career, Gossett Jr. has appeared in numerous notable films, including Roots (1977), a groundbreaking television miniseries in which he portrayed the character of Fiddler, earning him an Emmy Award. He has also appeared in movies like Enemy Mine (1985), Iron Eagle (1986), and The Punisher (1989), among others, showcasing his range and ability to bring complex characters to life.

13 Robert Loggia

234 acting credits

Popular Movies

Years of Release

'The Greatest Story Ever Told'

1965

'Scarface'

1983

'Big'

1988

'Independence Day'

1996

'Return to Me'

2000

30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (21)

Robert Loggia was an American actor born in the 30s who had a long and successful career in film, television, and stage, appearing in a wide range of roles across various genres, including a prominent villain in David Lynch'sLost Highway (1997). Loggia's career spanned over six decades, with notable performances in movies such as Big (1988), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

He also starred in films like Scarface (1983), Prizzi's Honor (1985), Jagged Edge (1985), and Independence Day (1996). In addition to his work in film, Loggia made numerous appearances on television, both in episodic roles and as a series regular. He appeared in TV shows such as Mancuso, FBI, The Sopranos, and Malcolm in the Middle. Loggia was praised for his versatile acting abilities, seamlessly transitioning between comedic and dramatic roles

12 Ward Bond

278 acting credits

Popular Movies

Years of Release

'The Grapes of Wrath'

1940

'The Maltese Falcon'

1941

'It's a Wonderful Life'

1946

'The Quiet Man'

1952

'The Searchers'

1956

30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (22)

Ward Bond appeared in over 200 films during his career, making him one of Hollywood's most recognizable and reliable supporting actors. He often played a wide range of roles, including lawmen, cowboys, military officers, and other character roles. His strong and authoritative presence made him a memorable figure on the screen. Moreover, Bond is perhaps best known for his collaborations with director John Ford, with whom he worked in many iconic Western films.

Some of his notable appearances in Ford's films include The Searchers (1956), The Grapes of Wrath (1940), Stagecoach (1939), and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962). Furthermore, his role as Reverend Captain Samuel Johnson Clayton in The Searchers is particularly memorable. Bond also had a successful career in television, where he made frequent guest appearances on popular shows of his time, including Wagon Train and Wanted: Dead or Alive.

11 Michael Ironside

285 acting credits

Popular Movies

Years of Release

'Scanners'

1981

'Top Gun'

1986

'Total Recall'

1990

'Starship Troopers'

1997

'The Machinist'

2004

30 Leading Actors Who've Appeared in the Most Movies, Ever (23)

Michael Ironside is a Canadian actor known for his distinctive voice and memorable performances in film and television. He adopted the stage name "Michael" early in his career. Ironside has had a prolific and varied acting career, appearing in a wide range of film genres, including action, science fiction, horror, and drama.

Some of his notable roles and appearances include Scanners (1981), Total Recall (1990), Starship Troopers (1997), Top Gun (1986) and the psychological thriller The Machinist (2004). Ironside also appeared in numerous television shows such as V (1984-1985), SeaQuest DSV (1993-1996), and Smallville (2005-2010). In the year 2023 alone, Ironside has been in 6 projects, one of them was Barry for 2 episodes.

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