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Joe E. Brown

Joe E. Brown

Actor · Died July 6, 1973, aged 81 · Holgate, Ohio, USA

Joseph Evans Brown (July 28, 1891 – July 6, 1973) was an American actor and comedian, remembered for his amiable screen persona, comic timing, and enormous smile. In 1902 at the age of nine, he joined a troupe of circus tumblers known as the Five Marvelous Ashtons which toured the country on both the circus and vaudeville circuits. Later he became a professional baseball player. After three seasons he returned to the circus, then went into Vaudeville and finally starred on Broadway. He gradually added comedy into his act and transformed himself into a comedian. He moved to Broadway in the 1920s first appearing in the musical comedy Jim Jam Jems. Description above from the Wikipedia article Joe E. Brown , licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 26, 1891
Died
July 6, 1973 (aged 81)
From
Holgate, Ohio, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
16 on MovieCove · 70 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 22% in 30 days

What are Joe E. Brown's films like?

Across their 11 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
37%
Bonds
28%
Morality
17%
Society
7%
Ideas
5%
Power
4%
Survival
3%
Romantic love7 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 11 · Serious 0 · Dark 0

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 6 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 2

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

Gentle 7 · Charged 4 · Intense 0

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

A split, not a type: Steady 6 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 1

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

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 5

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

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 0

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

Casual 11 · Engaged 0 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 11 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

9 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 6 of 9 analyzed roles.

Hero
6 of 9
Trickster
2 of 9
Mentor
1 of 9
Show the 9 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
10
Absurd
4
Romantic
4
Warm
4
Tense
2
Other
6

How their films linger

Feel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy9
  • Bittersweet2

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 Joe E. Brown's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 7 of their 16 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (6).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Joe E. Brown's 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

70 credits, 16 with a MovieCove page; 30 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Showbiz Goes to War(1982)

    as (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • That's Entertainment!(1974)

    as (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Comedy of Terrors(1963)

    as Cemetery Keeper

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

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

    as Union Official

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Greatest Show on Earth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Diamond 'Dimey' Vine

  • Route 66(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Sam Butler

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Some Like It Hot(1959)

    as Osgood Fielding III

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Around the World in 80 Days(1956)

    as Stationmaster

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Arthur Vail

  • The Christophers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

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

    Show 1 episode · as Earl Hall

  • Screen Snapshots: Memories of Famous Hollywood Comedians (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Narrator

  • Toast to Our Brother (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Fraternity Alumnus

  • Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Show Boat(1951)

    as Cap'n Andy Hawks

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • The Tender Years (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Will Norris

  • Pin Up Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Eddie Hall

  • Casanova in Burlesque (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Joseph M. Kelly Jr.

  • Chatterbox (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Rex Vane

  • The Daring Young Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Jonathan Peckinpaw / Grandma Peckinpaw

  • Joan of Ozark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Cliff Little

  • Shut My Big Mouth(1942)

    as Wellington Holmes

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    Actor

  • Rodeo Dough (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Joe E. Brown

  • So You Won't Talk(1940)

    as Whiskers / Brute Hanson

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Beware Spooks!(1939)

    as Roy L. Gifford

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • $1000 a Touchdown(1939)

    as Marlowe Mansfield Booth

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Flirting with Fate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Dan Dixon

  • The Gladiator (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Hugo Kipp

  • Wide Open Faces (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Wilbur Meeks

  • Fit for a King(1937)

    as Virgil Ambrose Jeremiah Christopher 'Scoop' Jones

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Riding on Air (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Elmer Lane

  • When's Your Birthday?(1937)

    as Dustin Willoughby

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Polo Joe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Joe Bolton

  • Earthworm Tractors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Alexander Botts

  • Sons o' Guns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Jimmy Canfield

  • A Midsummer Night's Dream(1935)

    as Flute

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Bright Lights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Joe Wilson

  • Alibi Ike (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Frank "Ike" Farrell

  • Screen Snapshots Series 14, No. 8 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    Actor

  • 6 Day Bike Rider (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Wilfred

  • The Circus Clown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Happy Howard / Chuckles

  • A Very Honorable Guy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as 'Feet' Samuels

  • Son of a Sailor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Handsome

  • Elmer, the Great (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Elmer Kane

  • You Said a Mouthful (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as Joe Holt

  • The Tenderfoot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as Calvin Jones

  • Fireman, Save My Child (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as 'Smokey' Joe Grant

  • Local Boy Makes Good (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as John Augustus Miller

  • Broadminded (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Ossie Simpson

  • How I Play Golf, by Bobby Jones No. 1: 'The Putter' (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    Actor

  • The Stolen Jools (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Robbery Suspect

  • Sit Tight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Jojo

  • Going Wild (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    as Rollo Smith

  • Screen Snapshots Series 10, No. 5 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    as Joe E. Brown

  • Maybe It's Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    as Yates

  • The Lottery Bride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    as Hoke

  • Top Speed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    as Elmer Peters

  • Hold Everything (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    as Gink Schiner

  • Song of the West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    as Hasty

  • Sally(1929)

    as Grand Duke Connie

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Painted Faces (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    as Hermann / Beppo

  • On With the Show! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    as Joe Beaton

  • My Lady's Past (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    as Sam Young

  • Molly and Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    Actor

  • Take Me Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as Bunny

  • The Circus Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as King Kruger

  • Hit of the Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as Twisty

  • Crooks Can't Win (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as Jimmy Wells

  • Twinkle, Twinkle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    as P.T. Robinson

Career shape

Star power in the 88th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 70 titles from 1927 to 1982.

Biggest box office

Some Like It Hot (1959)

$219K worldwide

Highest rated

Some Like It Hot (1959)

Midcredits 99th

Film career

  • 1931Screen debut· The Stolen Jools

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting70 of 70: 70 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score67th

By decade

1920s9 · acting1930s36 · acting1940s10 · acting1950s9 · acting1960s4 · acting1970s1 · acting1980s1 · acting

Billing

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

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.

How do Joe E. Brown's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 64th percentile, the median of all 15; across their 11 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 60th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

60thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Approval · how many liked their films

32ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

25thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Midcredits score across 16 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up4
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th5
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

None of their 16 titles divides audiences: 7 are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Crowd Pleaser5
  • Mixed7

Most loved · actor

Some Like It Hot (1959)

Midcredits 99th · 89% liked

Reviewers score the acting 64/100 in their films, across 9 reviewed titles; fans 76, 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.

Who does Joe E. Brown work with?

People who share at least 2 of Joe E. Brown's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Edward Sedgwick shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers