Skip to content
Motif
Macdonald Carey

Macdonald Carey

Actor · Died March 21, 1994, aged 81 · Sioux City, Iowa, USA

Edward Macdonald Carey (March 15, 1913 – March 21, 1994) was an American actor, best known for his role as the patriarch Dr. Tom Horton on NBC's soap opera Days of our Lives. For almost three decades, he was the show's central cast member.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 15, 1913
Died
March 21, 1994 (aged 81)
From
Sioux City, Iowa, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
34 on Motif · 103 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 20% in 30 days

What are Macdonald Carey's films like?

Across their 25 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 52nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 48th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Horror3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 17th percentile
: browse their Horror movies

Their Motif 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
Morality
33%
Bonds
25%
Power
14%
Self
13%
Society
11%
Survival
3%
Justice9 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception5 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty3 titles, browse their movies with this themeOppression2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGreed2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 25 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 10 · Serious 8 · Dark 7

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 15 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 2

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

Gentle 6 · Charged 16 · Intense 3

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

Steady 15 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 1

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 8 · Funny 5

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 13 · 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 15 · Engaged 10 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 11 · Affecting 9 · Heavy 5

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

Resolved 22 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

18 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 7 of 18 analyzed roles.

Hero
7 of 18
Shadow
5 of 18
Mentor
3 of 18
Ally
2 of 18
Herald
1 of 18
Show the 18 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
15
Melancholic
10
Joyful
6
Romantic
8
Thrilling
4
Other
18

How their films linger

Fun10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy9
  • Bittersweet9
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous4

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 Macdonald Carey's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 8 of their 34 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on The Roku Channel (7).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Macdonald Carey's titles on Motif; 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

103 credits, 34 with a Motif page; 3 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Becoming Marilyn (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2022)

    as (archive footage)

  • 3-D Rarities (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2015)

    as (archive footage)

  • Love, Marilyn(2012)

    as Hugh Halsworth

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • A Message from Holly (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • It's Alive III: Island of the Alive(1987)

    as Judge Watson

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Defense Atty. Oscar Ramsey · as Dr. Lynch

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Finder of Lost Loves (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Norman Prentice

  • Access Code (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1984)

    as Senator Williams

  • The Girl, the Gold Watch & Everything(1980)

    as Walton Grumby

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Condominium (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Arthur Castor

  • Top of the Hill (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mitchell

  • American Gigolo(1980)

    as Hollywood Actor

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Mallory

  • Summer of Fear(1978)

    as Professor Jarvis

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

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

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Church

  • End of the World(1977)

    as John Davis

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Foes (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    as McCarey

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Roots(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Squire James

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Switch (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Ray

  • Who Is the Black Dahlia?(1975)

    as Jack Donahoe

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Ordeal (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    as Eliot Frost

  • The Magician (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Rich

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

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Gidget Gets Married (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1972)

    as Russ Lawrence

  • McMillan & Wife(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Gunther

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Earl Ryder

  • Lassie, the Voyager (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1966)

    as Jebediah Wakefield

  • Days of Our Lives (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1,101 episodes · as Tom Horton

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

    Show 2 episodes · as Michael Allen

  • Branded (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Broken Sabre(1965)

    as Senator Lansing

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

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

    Show 1 episode · as Henry Pitcairn

  • Bewitched(1964)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Kraft Suspense Theatre (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Elmer Pike

  • Mr. Novak (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Edwards

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

    Show 1 episode · as Ben Gardner · as Burl Mason · as Franklyn Warren · as Waldo Nicely

  • The Outer Limits(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Roy Benjamin

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Professor Marcus Kane

  • Tammy and the Doctor(1963)

    as Dr. Wayne Bentley

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Damned (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1962)

    as Simon Wells

  • The Alfred Hitchcock Hour(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as John Mitchell

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • The Devil's Agent(1962)

    as Mr. Smith

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Stranglehold (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1962)

    as Bill Morrison

  • Ben Casey (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Target: The Corruptors! (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Kraft Mystery Theatre (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Checkmate (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Frederick Haley

  • Thriller (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Hector Vane

  • Lock-Up (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 78 episodes · as Herbert L. Maris

  • Blue Denim (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1959)

    as Maj. Malcolm Bartley, Ret.

  • John Paul Jones(1959)

    as Patrick Henry

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Redeemer (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1959)

    as Jesus Christ (voice)

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

    Show 1 episode · as Brother Bent

  • Man or Gun (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1958)

    as 'Maybe' Smith / Scott Yancey

  • Natchez (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1958)

    as Alexander Lamar

  • Suspicion (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Jeremiah Taylor

  • Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as Sheriff Tom Baker

  • Playhouse 90 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as Alexander Lamar

  • Odongo (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1956)

    as Steve Stratton

  • Apples on the Lilac Tree (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1956)

    as William Tyler

  • Stranger at My Door(1956)

    as Hollis Jarret

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Cry Justice (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1956)

    as Gil Foster

  • The Miracle on 34th Street (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1955)

    as Fred Gaily

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

    Show 1 episode · as Gil Foster

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

    Show 1 episode · as Fred Gaily

  • Alfred Hitchcock Presents(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Professor

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Allen Moore · as Harry Belgard · as John Benson · as Tom Ditmar

  • Malaga (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1954)

    as Van Logan

  • It's Everybody's Business (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1954)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Hannah Lee: An American Primitive (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1953)

    as Bus Crow

  • Count the Hours!(1953)

    as Doug Madison

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as David Bothwell

  • My Wife's Best Friend (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1952)

    as George Mason

  • The Ford Television Theatre (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1952)

    Show 1 episode · as Brother Phillip Hart · as Harry Cummings · as Mace Prouty

  • Cave of Outlaws(1951)

    as Pete Carver

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Let's Make It Legal(1951)

    as Hugh Halsworth

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Orville E. Piggott

  • Meet Me After the Show(1951)

    as Jeff Ames

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Excuse My Dust (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1951)

    as Cyrus Random, Jr.

  • The Great Missouri Raid(1951)

    as Jesse James

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Mystery Submarine (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1950)

    as Brett Young

  • Copper Canyon(1950)

    as Deputy Lane Travis

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Colby · as Dan Shelvin · as Major Slocum

  • South Sea Sinner (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1950)

    as Jake 'Smitty' Davis

  • The Lawless(1950)

    as Larry Wilder

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Comanche Territory(1950)

    as James Bowie

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Your Show of Shows (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1950)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Song of Surrender (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1949)

    as Bruce Eldridge

  • The Great Gatsby(1949)

    as Nicholas 'Nick' Carraway

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Streets of Laredo(1949)

    as Lorn Reming

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Bride of Vengeance(1949)

    as Cesare Borgia

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Lenny Byrnes

  • Dream Girl (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1948)

    as Clark Redfield

  • Hazard (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1948)

    as J.D. Storm

  • Variety Girl(1947)

    as Macdonald Carey

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Suddenly It's Spring (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1947)

    as Jack Lindsay

  • Salute for Three (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1943)

    as Sgt. Buzz McAllister

  • Shadow of a Doubt(1943)

    as Jack Graham

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Wake Island (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1942)

    as Lt. Bruce Cameron

  • Dr. Broadway(1942)

    as Timothy Kane

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Take a Letter, Darling(1942)

    as Jonathan Caldwell

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Star Spangled Rhythm (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1942)

    as Louie

Career shape

Star power in the 93rd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 101 titles from 1942 to 2022; peak year 1962.

Biggest box office

Love, Marilyn (2012)

$7K worldwide

Highest rated

Shadow of a Doubt (1943)

Midcredits 97th

Film career

19422022

Peak 1962 · fewer prominent film roles lately. 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.

  • 1942Screen debut· Wake Island
  • 1962First top-billed film· The Damned

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting101 of 101: 101 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score58th

By decade

1940s15 · acting1950s39 · acting1960s21 · acting1970s15 · acting1980s8 · acting1990s1 · acting2010s1 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 13% of 8 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 Motif, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Macdonald Carey's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Midcredits score in the 54th percentile, the median of all 27; across their 25 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 50th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Approval · how many liked their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Reach · how many have seen their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Midcredits score across 34 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up9
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

16 of their 34 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Universally Panned1
  • Crowd Pleaser16
  • Broadly Agreed7
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · actor

Broken Sabre (1965)

58th percentile spread · 15% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Shadow of a Doubt (1943)

Midcredits 97th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 63/100 in their films, across 24 reviewed titles; fans 72, detractors 43. 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 Midcredits 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.

Who does Macdonald Carey work with?

People who share at least 2 of Macdonald Carey's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Howard A. Smith shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles