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Leon Ames

Leon Ames

Actor · Died October 12, 1993, aged 91 · Portland, Indiana, USA

​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.   Leon Ames (January 20, 1902 – October 12, 1993) was an American film and television actor. He is best remembered for playing fatherly figures in such films as Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), as Judy Garland's father, and in Little Women (1949). Description above from the Wikipedia article Leon Ames licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 20, 1902
Died
October 12, 1993 (aged 91)
From
Portland, Indiana, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
65 on MovieCove · 145 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 14% in 30 days

What are Leon Ames' films like?

Across their 40 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy17 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 68th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 70th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
46%
Morality
29%
Self
14%
Survival
5%
Society
3%
Power
2%
Ideas
1%
Romantic love17 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds14 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice9 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception11 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition6 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty6 titles, browse their movies with this themeMarriage3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 40 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 27 · Serious 6 · Dark 7

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 17 · Stylized 19 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 21 · Charged 14 · Intense 5

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 26 · Shifting 13 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 12 · Some laughs 14 · Funny 14

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 17 · Even-paced 21 · Relentless 2

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 25 · Engaged 13 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 36 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

16 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 5 of 16 analyzed roles.

Shadow
5 of 16
Herald
4 of 16
Mentor
3 of 16
Hero
2 of 16
Threshold guardian
2 of 16
Show the 16 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
16
Warm
16
Joyful
13
Romantic
11
Melancholic
9
Other
35

How their films linger

Feel-good26 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun23 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy26
  • Bittersweet11
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Leon Ames' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 23 of their 65 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Leon Ames' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

145 credits, 65 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Peggy Sue Got Married(1986)

    as Barney Alvorg

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Jake Speed(1986)

    as Pop Winston

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Testament(1983)

    as Henry Abhart

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Henry Abhart

  • Just You and Me, Kid(1979)

    as Manduke the Magnificent

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Best Place to Be(1979)

    as William Callahan

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Messenger

  • Claws (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Ben Jones, Forest Commissioner

  • Sherlock Holmes in New York(1976)

    as Daniel Furman

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Timber Tramps (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Deacon

  • The Meal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Kroger

  • The Jeffersons(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • That's Entertainment!(1974)

    as (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Brother of the Wind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Actor

  • Hammersmith Is Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as General Sam Pembroke

  • Emergency!(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Toklat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Old Man

  • On a Clear Day You Can See Forever(1970)

    as Burt Clews

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Tora! Tora! Tora!(1970)

    as Frank Knox

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • The Name of the Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • ABC Stage 67 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Gray

  • The Monkey's Uncle(1965)

    as Judge Holmsby

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Bewitched(1964)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Misadventures of Merlin Jones(1964)

    as Judge Holmsby / Lex Fortas

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Son of Flubber(1962)

    as Rufus Daggett

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Lucy Show(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Colonel Anderson

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • The Beverly Hillbillies(1962)

    Show 2 episodes · as Colonel Foxhall

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • The Virginian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Fitzroy

  • Father of the Bride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 34 episodes · as Stanley Banks

  • The Absent Minded Professor(1961)

    as Rufus Daggett

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Mister Ed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 78 episodes · as Gordon Kirkwood

  • The Andy Griffith Show(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Hampton

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • My Three Sons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • The Barbara Stanwyck Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Damon Carlisle

  • From the Terrace(1960)

    as Samuel Eaton

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Peyton Place(1957)

    as Leslie Harrington

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Panic! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Engagement Party (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Elliott Winston

  • Screen Director's Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Col. T. Jennings Parker - Pop

  • MGM Parade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Wonderful World of Disney (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as President Rufus Daggett (archive footage)

  • Life With Father (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 27 episodes · Actor

  • Sabre Jet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Lt. Col. Eckert

  • Let's Do It Again(1953)

    as Chet Stuart

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • By the Light of the Silvery Moon(1953)

    as George Winfield

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • General Electric Theater (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Butolph · as Malcolm Fownes

  • Angel Face(1952)

    as Fred Barrett

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • It's a Big Country: An American Anthology(1951)

    as Secret Service Man

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Cattle Drive(1951)

    as Chester Graham, Sr.

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • On Moonlight Bay(1951)

    as George Winfield

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Watch the Birdie(1950)

    as Grantland D. Farns

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Dial 1119 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Earl

  • Lux Video Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Show 1 episode · as Adam · as Michael J. O'Connor

  • Crisis(1950)

    as Sam Proctor

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Happy Years (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Sr. Samuel H. Stover

  • The Skipper Surprised His Wife(1950)

    as Dr. Philip Abbott

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The Big Hangover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Carl Bellcap

  • Ambush(1950)

    as Maj. C.E. Breverly

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Battleground(1949)

    as The Chaplain

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Scene of the Crime(1949)

    as Capt. A.C. Forster

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Any Number Can Play(1949)

    as Dr. Palmer

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Little Women(1949)

    as Father March

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Studio One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Show 1 episode · as Cyrus Walker

  • A Date with Judy(1948)

    as Lucien T. Pringle

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • The Velvet Touch(1948)

    as Gordon Dunning

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • On an Island with You(1948)

    as Commander Harrisen

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Alias a Gentleman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Matt Enley

  • Merton of the Movies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Lawrence Rupert

  • The Amazing Mr. Nordill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Everett Nordill aka Everton

  • Song of the Thin Man(1947)

    as Mitchell Talbin

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Undercover Maisie(1947)

    as Amor/Willis Farnes

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Lady in the Lake(1946)

    as Derace Kingsby

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Show-Off (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Frank Harlin

  • The Cockeyed Miracle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Ralph Humphrey

  • The Postman Always Rings Twice(1946)

    as Kyle Sackett

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • No Leave, No Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Colonel Elliott

  • They Were Expendable(1945)

    as Major James Morton

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Yolanda and the Thief(1945)

    as Mr. Candle

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Week-End at the Waldorf(1945)

    as Henry Burton

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Anchors Aweigh(1945)

    as Admiral's Aide

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Son of Lassie(1945)

    as Anton

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Fall Guy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Floyd Parkson

  • Between Two Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Masters

  • The Great Morgan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as K. F.

  • The Thin Man Goes Home(1944)

    as Edgar Draque

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Meet Me in St. Louis(1944)

    as Alonzo Smith

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo(1944)

    as Lieut. Jurika

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • The Iron Major (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Robert 'Bob' Stewart

  • Crime Doctor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as William Wheeler

  • George Washington Slept Here(1942)

    as Leon Ames (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Ellery Queen and the Murder Ring (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as John Stack

  • No Greater Sin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Dr. Edward Cavanaugh

  • East Side Kids(1940)

    as Pat O'Day

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Fugitive at Large (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Carter

  • The Marshal Of Mesa City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Sheriff Jud Cronin

  • Legion of Lost Flyers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Smythe

  • Pack Up Your Troubles(1939)

    as Adjutant

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Calling All Marines (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Murdock

  • Thunder Afloat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Recruiting Officer (uncredited)

  • Help Wanted (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as J.T. Evans-Labor Commissioner

  • Code of the Streets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as 'Chick' Foster

  • Mr. Moto in Danger Island(1939)

    as Commissioner Madero

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Panama Patrol (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Maj. Phillip Waring

  • I Was a Convict (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Jackson

  • Risky Business (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Hinge Jackson

  • Blackwell's Island (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Ballinger (uncredited)

  • Secrets of a Nurse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Joe Largo

  • Strange Faces (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Joe Gurney

  • Suez(1938)

    as Napoleon III - Emperor of France

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Cipher Bureau (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Maj. Philip Waring

  • Mysterious Mr. Moto (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Paul Brissac

  • Come On, Leathernecks! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Otto Wagner / Baroni

  • Island in the Sky (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Marty Butler

  • Bluebeard's Eighth Wife(1938)

    as Ex-Chauffeur (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Walking Down Broadway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Frank Gatty

  • International Settlement (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Monte Silver

  • The Spy Ring (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Frank Denton

  • 45 Fathers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Vincent

  • Murder in Greenwich Village(1937)

    as Rodney Hunter

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Charlie Chan on Broadway(1937)

    as Buzz Moran

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Dangerously Yours (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Phil

  • Soak the Poor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Special Investigator Stanton

  • Song of Revolt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle

  • Pilot X(1936)

    as Carl Goering

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Get That Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Don Clayton / McDonald

  • Rescue Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Lester Vaughn (as Leon Waycoff)

  • Reckless(1935)

    as Ralph Watson

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Strangers All (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Frank Walker

  • Mutiny Ahead (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as McMurtrie

  • Now I'll Tell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Max (as Leon Waycoff)

  • I'll Tell the World(1934)

    as Spud Marshall

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Only Yesterday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Lee (Uncredited)

  • Ship of Wanted Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as John Holden

  • The Man Who Dared (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Yosef Novak

  • Alimony Madness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as John Thurman

  • Forgotten (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Louie Strauss

  • Parachute Jumper(1933)

    as Pilot with Alabama (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Uptown New York(1932)

    as Max Silver (as Leon Waycoff)

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • That's My Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as Al Williams

  • A Successful Calamity (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as Barney Davis

  • The Famous Ferguson Case(1932)

    as Judd Brooks

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Stowaway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as Tommy

  • Cannonball Express (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as Jack Logan

  • Murders in the Rue Morgue(1932)

    as Pierre Dupin

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Quick Millions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Hood

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 145 titles from 1931 to 1986; peak year 1960.

Biggest box office

Testament (1983)

$2M worldwide

Highest rated

Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Midcredits 92nd

Most popular right now

Testament (1983)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19311986

Peak 1960 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 4 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting145 of 145: 145 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score65th

By decade

1930s52 · acting1940s35 · acting1950s23 · acting1960s16 · acting1970s15 · acting1980s4 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 28 roles
32475267

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Leon Ames' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 65th percentile, the median of all 59; across their 40 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 58th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

58thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 40

Approval · how many liked their films

60thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 40

Reach · how many have seen their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 40

Midcredits score across 65 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up22
  • 50th to 74th26
  • 25th to 49th14
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

40 of their 65 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved8
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser40
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed12

Most divisive · actor

The Best Place to Be (1979)

71st percentile spread · 19% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)

Midcredits 93rd · 84% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 40 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 44. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Leon Ames' work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 16 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 33 · mildMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Leon Ames work with?

People who share at least 2 of Leon Ames' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Cotton Warburton shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles