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Jack Albertson

Jack Albertson

Actor · Died November 25, 1981, aged 74 · Malden, Massachusetts, USA

Oscar winner · 2 Primetime Emmys

Jack Albertson (June 16, 1907 – November 25, 1981) was an American character actor dating to vaudeville.  A comedian, dancer, singer, and musician, Albertson is perhaps best known for his roles as Manny Rosen in The Poseidon Adventure (1972), Grandpa Joe in the 1971 version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Amos Slade in the 1981 animated film "The Fox and the Hound" (1981), and as Ed Brown in the 1974-1978 television sitcom Chico and the Man. For contributions to the television industry, Jack Albertson was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6253 Hollywood Boulevard.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 16, 1907
Died
November 25, 1981 (aged 74)
From
Malden, Massachusetts, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
53 on Motif · 122 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 157 days to Oct 28Down 21% in 30 days

What are Jack Albertson's films like?

Across their 27 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy11 titlesTypical Motif score: 50th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama5 titlesTypical Motif score: 64th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Action2 titlesTypical Motif score: 81st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Motif score: 74th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Motif 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
37%
Morality
16%
Self
15%
Survival
10%
Power
8%
Society
8%
Ideas
6%
Marriage6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 26 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 16 · Serious 4 · Dark 6

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 16 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 4

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

Gentle 8 · Charged 13 · Intense 5

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

A split, not a type: Steady 13 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 3

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 9 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 10

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

Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 13 · Relentless 1

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

Casual 18 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 23 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

10 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 5 of 10 analyzed roles.

Shadow
5 of 10
Mentor
2 of 10
Threshold guardian
1 of 10
Ally
1 of 10
Hero
1 of 10
Show the 10 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
15
Tense
10
Warm
9
Romantic
5
Melancholic
7
Other
15

How their films linger

Feel-good14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy16
  • Bittersweet10
  • Tragic1

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 Jack Albertson's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 22 of their 53 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Pluto TV (10).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Jack Albertson's titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Motif 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

122 credits, 53 with a Motif page; 20 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Terror at Alcatraz (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    as George 'Deacon' Wheeler

  • My Body, My Child(1982)

    as Poppa MacMahon

    Motif score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Charlie and the Great Balloon Chase(1981)

    as Charlie Bartlett

    Motif score: 18th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Fox and the Hound(1981)

    as Amos Slade (voice)

    Motif score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Dead & Buried(1981)

    as William G. Dobbs

    Motif score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Marriage Is Alive and Well (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1980)

    as Manny Wax

  • Valentine (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1979)

    as Pete Ferguson

  • Grandpa Goes to Washington (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

  • The Comedy Company (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    as Barney Bailey

  • NBC: The First Fifty Years (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Charlie's Angels(1976)

    Show 2 episodes · as Edward Jordan

    Motif score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • The Sonny and Cher Show (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Chico and the Man(1974)

    Show 88 episodes · as Ed Brown

    Motif score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • The Poseidon Adventure(1972)

    as Manny Rosen

    Motif score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Streets of San Francisco (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Temperatures Rising (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Senator Farmstick · as Senator Farnstock

  • Pickup on 101 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1972)

    as Jedediah Bradley

  • The Flim Flam Man (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1972)

    as Me. Packard

  • Lock, Stock and Barrel(1971)

    as Brucker

    Motif score: 47th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Congratulations, It's a Boy! (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1971)

    as Al Gaines

  • Once Upon a Dead Man (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1971)

    as Chief Andrew Yeakel

  • Doctor Simon Locke (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 29 episodes · as Dr. Andrew Sellers

  • The Late Liz (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1971)

    as Gordon Rogers

  • Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory(1971)

    as Grandpa Joe

    Motif score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Montserrat (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1971)

    as Salas Ina

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Night Gallery(1969)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Motif score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Rabbit, Run (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1970)

    as Marty Tothero

  • The Immortal (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • A Clear and Present Danger(1970)

    as Dr. Chanute

    Motif score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Squeeze a Flower (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1970)

    as Alfredo Brazzi

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Monk (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1969)

    as Tinker

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

    Show 1 episode · as Archie

  • Marcus Welby, M.D.(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Chambers

    Motif score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • The Bold Ones: The New Doctors (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Ira Goldberg

  • Justine(1969)

    as Cohen

    Motif score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Changes (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1969)

    as Kent's father / Interviewer

  • The Subject Was Roses(1968)

    as John Cleary

    Motif score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Here Come the Brides (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Land of the Giants(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Inidu · as Prof. Kirmus

    Motif score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • How to Save a Marriage and Ruin Your Life(1968)

    as Slotkin

    Motif score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Flim-Flam Man(1967)

    as Mr. Packard

    Motif score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Ironside (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • CBS Playhouse (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Joe Singer

  • Pistols 'n' Petticoats (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Run, Buddy, Run (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Big Valley (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Ben Moore

  • Run for Your Life (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 2 episodes · as Harry Krissel · as Joe Murray

  • How to Murder Your Wife(1965)

    as Dr. Bentley

    Motif score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Roustabout(1964)

    as Lou

    Motif score: 44th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Shem Sweet

  • The Patsy(1964)

    as Theatergoer with Helen

    Motif score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • A Tiger Walks (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1964)

    as Sam Grant

  • Kissin' Cousins(1964)

    as Captain Robert Salbo

    Motif score: 19th percentile of all films

  • The Sword in the Stone(1963)

    as Knight in Crowd #1 (uncredited)

    Motif score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Glynis (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Lieutenant (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Days of Wine and Roses(1962)

    as Trayner

    Motif score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Son of Flubber(1962)

    as Mr. Barley

    Motif score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Who's Got the Action?(1962)

    as Officer Hodges

    Motif score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Period of Adjustment(1962)

    as Desk Sergeant

    Motif score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Lucy Show(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Herbert

    Motif score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Ensign O'Toole (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 32 episodes · as Lieutenant Commander Virgil Stoner

  • Saints and Sinners (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Felixson

  • Convicts 4(1962)

    as Teach

    Motif score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Room for One More (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 27 episodes · Actor

  • Little Amy(1962)

    as The Reporter

    Motif score: 55th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Lover Come Back(1961)

    as Fred

    Motif score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The George Raft Story(1961)

    as Milton

    Motif score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Dick Van Dyke Show(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Eisenbauer

    Motif score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Bus Stop (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Dr. Kildare (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Cary Fain

  • 87th Precinct (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • The Defenders (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Roger Bailey Sr.

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

    Show 3 episodes · as Paul Fenton

  • The Andy Griffith Show(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Bradford J. Taylor

    Motif score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Pete and Gladys (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 2 episodes · as Coles

  • The Tab Hunter Show (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Slowest Gun in the West(1960)

    as Col. Carl Dexter

    Motif score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Startime (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Cob · as Harry

  • The Twilight Zone(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Genie · as Jerry Harlowe

    Motif score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis(1959)

    Show 5 episodes · Actor

    Motif score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Riverboat (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Sampson J. Binton

  • Tightrope (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Shaggy Dog(1959)

    as Reporter (uncredited)

    Motif score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Never Steal Anything Small(1959)

    as Sleep-Out Charlie Barnes

    Motif score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Yancy Derringer (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Blind Bill

  • The Donna Reed Show(1958)

    Show 3 episodes · as Jack Richards

    Motif score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Teacher's Pet(1958)

    as Guide

    Motif score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Shirley Temple's Storybook(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Tintac Ping Foo

    Motif score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Don't Go Near the Water(1957)

    as Rep. George Jansen

    Motif score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Thin Man (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 15 episodes · as Harry Evans

  • Wagon Train(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Jebediah Giddings

    Motif score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Have Gun, Will Travel (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mayor Whiteside

  • Man of a Thousand Faces(1957)

    as Dr. J. Wilson Shiels

    Motif score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Richard Diamond, Private Detective (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Fernando Faillace

  • Monkey on My Back (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1957)

    as Sam Pian

  • The Unguarded Moment (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1956)

    as Prof

  • The Big Slide (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1956)

    as Al St. George

  • You Can't Run Away from It(1956)

    as Third Proprietor

    Motif score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Hey, Jeannie! (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as Immigration man

  • The Harder They Fall(1956)

    as Pop

    Motif score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Eddy Duchin Story(1956)

    as Piano Tuner (uncredited)

    Motif score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Over-Exposed (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1956)

    as Les Bauer (uncredited)

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The 20th Century Fox Hour (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

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

    Show 1 episode · as Danny Wilson · as Lucius Prince · as Moses Darby

  • Bring Your Smile Along(1955)

    as Mr. Jenson

    Motif score: 9th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Reporter (uncredited)

  • December Bride (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Top Banana(1954)

    as Vic Davis

    Motif score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Inner Sanctum (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • All I Need Is a Conference! (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1954)

    as Cliff Miller, Shipping

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

    Show 1 episode · as Herb

  • I Love Lucy(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Helicopter Dispatcher

    Motif score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Man Against Crime (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1949)

    Show 1 episode · as Jerry

  • Broadway Jamboree (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1948)

    Show 8 episodes · Actor

  • Miracle on 34th Street(1947)

    as Al (uncredited)

    Motif score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Strike Up the Band(1940)

    as Barker (uncredited)

    Motif score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Next Time I Marry(1938)

    as Reporter (uncredited)

    Motif score: 52nd percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 122 titles from 1938 to 1982; peak year 1981.

Biggest box office

The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

$85M worldwide

Highest rated

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Motif 96th

Most popular right now

The Fox and the Hound (1981)

Film career

19381982

Peak 1981 · their film career is on the way up. Top draw in 1 Motif title. 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
Acting122 of 122: 122 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Motif score58th

By decade

1930s1 · acting1940s4 · acting1950s36 · acting1960s49 · acting1970s26 · acting1980s6 · acting

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 20 roles
406065

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 Motif score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, 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.

Awards

an Oscar and 2 Primetime Emmys from 6 major nominations, 1969–1982.

WinNomination
  1. 1982
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Special
  2. 1977
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
  3. 1976
    • Primetime Emmy, won · Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
  4. 1975
    • Primetime Emmy, won · Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in Variety or Music
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
  5. 1969
    • Oscar, won · Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Jack Albertson's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Motif score in the 57th percentile, the median of all 39; across their 26 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 55th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 26

Approval · how many liked their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 26

Reach · how many have seen their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 26

Motif score across 53 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up17
  • 50th to 74th20
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th5

Shape of the crowd

26 of their 53 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Divisive1
  • Crowd Pleaser26
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed15

Most divisive · actor

Little Amy (1962)

92nd percentile spread · 30% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Motif 97th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 70/100 in their films, across 22 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 47. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; 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 Motif score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif 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 Jack Albertson's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 Motif titles with content scores, frightening / intense runs heavier than most films and sex & nudity and profanity lighter.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles29–73 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity6 titles4–32 · median 16 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity5 titles10–36 · median 21 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs5 titles11–61 · median 28 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles56–71 · median 60 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian 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 Jack Albertson work with?

People who share at least 2 of Jack Albertson's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Russell Metty shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Mixed roles