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Jim Backus

Jim Backus

Actor, also writer · Died July 3, 1989, aged 76 · Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Jim Backus (1913–1989) was a radio, television, film, and voice actor. Among his most famous credits are The Alan Young Radio Show, I Married Joan, Gilligan's Island, and Rebel Without a Cause. He also starred on his own show The Jim Backus Show.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 25, 1913
Died
July 3, 1989 (aged 76)
From
Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Works as
Actor, also writer
Titles
96 on MovieCove · 221 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 39 days to Oct 28Down 43% in 30 days

What are Jim Backus' films like?

Across their 70 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy34 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 66th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Documentary6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 70th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Animation3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 83rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation movies
Biography3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 66th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography 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
28%
Self
27%
Morality
17%
Society
13%
Power
5%
Survival
5%
Ideas
4%
Romantic love15 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds15 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity16 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity10 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice9 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age8 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception10 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition9 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 67 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 48 · Serious 10 · Dark 9

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 36 · Stylized 24 · Heightened 7

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 38 · Charged 21 · Intense 8

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

Steady 51 · Shifting 12 · Whiplash 4

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

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 12 · Some laughs 26 · Funny 29

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

A split, not a type: Slow burn 33 · Even-paced 29 · Relentless 5

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

Casual 50 · Engaged 16 · Full focus 1

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

Resolved 62 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

16 analyzed roles

Usually the Threshold guardian: 4 of 16 analyzed roles.

Threshold guardian
4 of 16
Ally
4 of 16
Trickster
2 of 16
Shadow
2 of 16
Herald
2 of 16
Mentor
1 of 16
Hero
1 of 16
Show the 16 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
39
Warm
26
Tense
18
Absurd
23
Romantic
16
Other
49

How their films linger

Feel-good39 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun36 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy41
  • Bittersweet18
  • Ambiguous8
  • Cyclical3

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 Jim Backus' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 34 of their 96 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (21).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Jim Backus' 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

221 credits, 96 with a MovieCove page; 18 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Gilligan Manifesto(2018)

    as Thurston Howell III

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • These Amazing Shadows(2011)

    as Frank Stark (clip from Rebel Without a Cause (1955))

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Tony Curtis: Driven to Stardom(2011)

    as Pat Quaid

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Los Angeles Plays Itself(2003)

    as Frank Stark in Rebel Without A Cause

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Heavy Petting(1989)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Forever James Dean(1988)

    as Frank Stark

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • The Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 261 episodes · Actor

  • Prince Jack (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Dealy

  • Slapstick of Another Kind(1982)

    as President of the U.S.

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Gilligan's Planet(1982)

    Show 13 episodes · as Thurston Howell, III (voice)

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island(1981)

    as Thurston Howell III

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Hill Street Blues(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Magoo (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • There Goes the Bride(1980)

    as Mr. Perkins

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Gossip Columnist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Jim Backus

  • C.H.O.M.P.S.(1979)

    as Mr. Gibbs

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Eischied (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Rebels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 2 episodes · as John Hancock

  • The Castaways on Gilligan's Island (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Thurston Howell III

  • Angels' Brigade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Cmdr. Lindsey March

  • $weepstake$ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Major Adams

  • Rescue from Gilligan's Island(1978)

    as Thurston Howell III

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Flying High (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Good Guys Wear Black(1978)

    as Albert, the Doorman

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Fantasy Island(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Cap Truman

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all shows

  • Have I Got a Christmas for You(1977)

    as Kevin Grady

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Pete's Dragon(1977)

    as The Mayor

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The Love Boat(1977)

    Show 2 episodes · as Marvin Waterman · as Mr. Landers

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • CHiPs(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Weitzman

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • What's New, Mr. Magoo? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 32 episodes · as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Never Con a Killer(1977)

    as Stanley Bunch

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Charlie's Angels(1976)

    Show 2 episodes · as Iggy

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • Friday Foster(1975)

    as Enos Griffith

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Mobile One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Macklin

  • Ellery Queen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Howard Biggers

  • Joe Forrester (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Crazy Mama(1975)

    as Mr. Albertson

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Cop on the Beat(1975)

    as Jake Mandel

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Humpbacked Horse(1975)

    as The Tsar

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Narrator / Santa Claus (voice)

  • Chico and the Man(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • Kolchak: The Night Stalker(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Harry O (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Ziggy

  • The New Adventures of Gilligan(1974)

    Show 32 episodes · as Thurston Howell III (voice)

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all shows

  • Goodnight Jackie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Mr. Landry

  • Miracle on 34th Street(1973)

    as Shellhammer

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Girl Most Likely to...(1973)

    as Prof. David Tilson

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Police Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jake Mandel

  • Magic Carpet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as George Benson

  • Of Thee I Sing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Senator Robert F. Lyons

  • Now You See Him, Now You Don't(1972)

    as Timothy Forsythe

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Getting Away from It All(1972)

    as Mike Lorimar

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Mooch(1974)

    Writer · as Jim Backus

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Alias Smith and Jones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Myra Breckinridge(1970)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County(1970)

    as Staunch

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Uncle Sam Magoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Mr. Magoo

  • Nanny and the Professor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Charles Walters

  • Wake Me When the War Is Over(1969)

    as Colonel

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Love, American Style (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jerry Franks

  • The Brady Bunch(1969)

    Show 3 episodes · as Zaccariah

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • Medical Center (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Marcus Welby, M.D.(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Bill

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • Hello Down There(1969)

    as T.R. Hollister

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Blondie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 14 episodes · as J.C. Dithers /Mr. Dithers

  • The Good Guys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • The Mod Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Emile Wade

  • Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?(1968)

    as Tru-Blue Lou

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Accidental Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Damn Yankees (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Benny Van Buren

  • Hurry Sundown(1967)

    as Carter Sillens

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Billie(1965)

    as Howard G. Carol

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • I Dream of Jeannie(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as General Fitzhugh

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • The Wild Wild West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Fabian Swanson

  • Fluffy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Sergeant

  • John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!(1965)

    as Whitepaper

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Gilligan's Island(1964)

    Show 98 episodes · as Thurston Howell

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 29 episodes · as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Daniel Boone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Will Scataway

  • Rendezvous in Space (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Moon (voice)

  • Advance to the Rear(1964)

    as Gen. Willoughby

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Mr. Magoo in Sherwood Forest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Mr. Magoo

  • Mr. Magoo, Man of Mystery (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Mr. Magoo

  • The Wheeler Dealers(1963)

    as Bullard Bear

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Sunday in New York(1963)

    as Chief Pilot Drysdale

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World(1963)

    as Tyler Fitzgerald

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Espionage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as McAvoy

  • Johnny Cool(1963)

    as Louis Murphy

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Burke's Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Harold Mason · as Herkimer Witt · as Pork Pie Hannigan

  • Arrest and Trial (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Sam Thayer

  • My Six Loves(1963)

    as Sheriff

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Operation Bikini(1963)

    as Bosun's Mate Ed Fennelly

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Critic's Choice(1963)

    as William Von Hagedorn

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • A Child Is Waiting(1963)

    as Hot Dog Vendor (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol(1962)

    as Mr. Quincy Magoo / Ebenezer Scrooge (voice)

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Zotz! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Horatio Kellgore

  • The Beverly Hillbillies(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Marty Van Ransohoff

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm(1962)

    as The King (segment "The Dancing Princess")

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Boys' Night Out(1962)

    as Peter Bowers

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • The Horizontal Lieutenant(1962)

    as Cmdr. Jeremiah Hammerslag

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • The Dick Powell Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Monte

  • Cain's Hundred (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Karl Bigger

  • Magoo Meets Frankenstein (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Mr. Magoo

  • The Mr. Magoo Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 130 episodes · as Mr Magoo (voice)

  • The Jim Backus Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 39 episodes · Actor

  • Inside Magoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice) / Self

  • Ice Palace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Dave Husack

  • I Was a Teenage Magoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Tom, Dick and Harriet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as James

  • Magoo Meets Boing Boing (The Noise-Making Boy) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • 1001 Arabian Nights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Uncle Abdul Azziz Magoo (voice)

  • The Untouchables (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as William Norbert

  • Ask Any Girl(1959)

    as Mr. Maxwell

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • A Private's Affair(1959)

    as Jim Gordon

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • The Big Operator (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Cliff Heldon

  • Terror Faces Magoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Mr. Magoo

  • The Wild and the Innocent(1959)

    as Mr. Forbes

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Magoo's Lodge Brother (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Merry Minstrel Magoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Magoo’s Homecoming (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Bwana Magoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • A Princess for Magoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Narrator

  • 77 Sunset Strip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Maury Samuels

  • Gumshoe Magoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Love Comes to Magoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Macabre(1958)

    as Sheriff Jim Tyloe

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Magoo’s Cruise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Magoo’s Three-Point Landing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Mr. Magoo / Air Traffic Controller / Sully (voice)

  • The High Cost of Loving (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Paul Mason

  • The Explosive Mr. Magoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Mr Magoo (voice)

  • Scoutmaster Magoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Magoo's Young Manhood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Magoo's Private War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Magoo's Moose Hunt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • The Pied Piper of Hamelin(1957)

    as King's Emissary

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Eighteen and Anxious (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Harvey Graham

  • Rock Hound Magoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Magoo Saves the Bank (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Maverick(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Joe Wheelwright

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Magoo's Masquerade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Man of a Thousand Faces(1957)

    as Clarence Locan

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Magoo Breaks Par (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Matador Magoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Magoo Goes Overboard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Top Secret Affair(1957)

    as Col. Homer W. Gooch

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Meet Mother Magoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • The Great Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Nick Cellantano

  • The Opposite Sex(1956)

    as Psychiatrist

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • You Can't Run Away from It(1956)

    as Danker

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Girl He Left Behind(1956)

    as Sgt. Hanna

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Magoo's Problem Child (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • The Gale Storm Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as Arthur Hutchins

  • Conflict (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as Dandy Summers

  • Trailblazer Magoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Magoo's Puddle Jumper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Magoo Beats the Heat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Mr. Magoo(voice)

  • The Naked Hills(1956)

    as Willis Haver

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Calling Doctor Magoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Magoo Goes West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Meet Me in Las Vegas(1956)

    as Tom Culdane

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Magoo's Canine Mutiny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • The Square Jungle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Pat Quaid

  • Magoo Makes News (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Mr. Magoo

  • Matinee Theater (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Rebel Without a Cause(1955)

    as Frank Stark

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Gunsmoke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Reverend Sims

  • Francis in the Navy(1955)

    as Commander Hutch

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Madcap Magoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Mr. Magoo

  • Magoo Express (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Mr. Magoo

  • The Millionaire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Henry Banning

  • Destination Magoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Story · as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Deep in My Heart(1954)

    as Ben Judson

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Climax! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as Detective Herman

  • When Magoo Flew (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Mr. Magoo/Pilot (voice)

  • Geraldine(1953)

    as Jason Ambrose

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • I Love Melvin(1953)

    as Mergo

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Above and Beyond(1952)

    as Gen. Curtis E. LeMay

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Angel Face(1952)

    as District Attorney Judson

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Androcles and the Lion(1952)

    as Centurion

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Hotsy Footsy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • I Married Joan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Show 98 episodes · as Judge Bradley Stevens

  • Pete Hothead (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Lavery the Floorwalker/Mailman (uncredited)

  • The Rose Bowl Story(1952)

    as Michael "Iron Mike" Burke

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Pink and Blue Blues (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Don't Bother to Knock(1952)

    as Peter Jones

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Pat and Mike(1952)

    as Charles Barry

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Deadline - U.S.A.(1952)

    as Jim Cleary

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Here Come the Nelsons(1952)

    as Joe Randolph

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Kevin Grady

  • I Want You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Harvey Landrum

  • Grizzly Golfer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Mr. Magoo

  • I'll See You in My Dreams(1951)

    as Sam Harris

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The Man with a Cloak(1951)

    as Flaherty

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Fuddy Duddy Buddy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Iron Man(1951)

    as Max Watkins

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • His Kind of Woman(1951)

    as Myron Winton

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Bright Victory(1951)

    as Bill Grayson

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Hollywood Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Mitch Davis

  • Plutopia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Milton the Cat

  • Half Angel(1951)

    as Michael Hogan

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Barefaced Flatfoot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Mr. Magoo

  • M (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as The Mayor

  • Bungled Bungalow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Mr. Magoo

  • The Popcorn Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Narrator

  • Emergency Wedding (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Ed Hamley

  • The Killer That Stalked New York(1950)

    as Willie Dennis (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Harry

  • Trouble Indemnity (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • Customs Agent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Shanghai Chief Agent Thomas Jacoby

  • Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town(1950)

    as Joseph "Little Joe" Rogers

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Spellbound Hound (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Mr. Magoo

  • Robert Montgomery Presents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Show 1 episode · as Lucus Edgerton

  • Edgar Bergen with Charlie McCarthy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Magistrate Backus

  • A Dangerous Profession(1949)

    as Police Lt. Nick Ferrone / Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • The Great Lover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Higgins

  • Easy Living(1949)

    as Dr. Franklin

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Father Was a Fullback(1949)

    as Professor Sullivan

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Ragtime Bear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Mr. Magoo (voice)

  • One Last Fling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Howard Pritchard

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

    Show 2 episodes · as Tim McTaggart

  • A-Lad-in His Lamp (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Smokey the Genie (voice) (uncredited)

  • Where Will You Hide? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Narrator

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 214 titles from 1948 to 1986; peak year 1962.

Biggest box office

Pete's Dragon (1977)

$40M worldwide

Highest rated

Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Gilligan's Island (1964)

Film career

19481986

Peak 1962 · steadily prominent in film for years. 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
Acting214 of 214: 212 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score45thWriting2 of 214: 0 only writing, 2 with another role

By decade

1940s9 · acting1950s104 · 104 acting · 1 crew1960s51 · acting1970s42 · 42 acting · 1 crew1980s8 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 3% of 29 roles
505565

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 Jim Backus' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 50th percentile, the median of all 81; across their 67 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 49th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 67

Approval · how many liked their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 67

Reach · how many have seen their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 67

Midcredits score across 96 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up21
  • 50th to 74th26
  • 25th to 49th30
  • Below 25th19

Shape of the crowd

40 of their 96 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Universally Panned2
  • Cult Classic4
  • Crowd Pleaser40
  • Broadly Agreed12
  • Mixed31

Most divisive · actor

Cop on the Beat (1975)

87th percentile spread · 31% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003)

Midcredits 97th · 84% liked

Reviewers score the acting 61/100 in their films, across 58 reviewed titles; fans 73, detractors 42. 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 Jim Backus' work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 MovieCove titles with content scores, 1 of the 4 categories sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Sex & Nudity5 titles11–60 · median 22 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 4 · minimalMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 32 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 42 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Jim Backus work with?

People who share at least 2 of Jim Backus' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Alan Hale Jr. shares the most, 7.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles