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Marsha Mason

Marsha Mason

Actor · Born April 3, 1942 (84) · St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Marsha Mason (born April 3, 1942) is an American actress and theater director. She received four Academy Award nominations as Best Actress for her performances in Cinderella Liberty, The Goodbye Girl, Chapter Two, and Only When I Laugh. She is also known for starring in the 1986 film Heartbreak Ridge. Mason was married for ten years (1973–1983) to the playwright and screenwriter Neil Simon, who wrote many of the films in which she starred. Description above from the Wikipedia article Marsha Mason, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 3, 1942 (84)
From
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
26 on MovieCove · 48 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 26% in 30 days

What are Marsha Mason's films like?

Across their 16 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 57th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 35th percentile
: browse their Action 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
43%
Self
19%
Morality
16%
Survival
8%
Society
8%
Ideas
4%
Power
1%
Family bonds9 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth4 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 16 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 6 · Serious 5 · Dark 5

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

Grounded 11 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 3 · Charged 9 · Intense 4

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

Steady 7 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 2

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

Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 4

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

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 9 · 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 10 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 2

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

Resolved 13 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

11 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 5 of 11 analyzed roles.

Hero
5 of 11
Ally
2 of 11
Threshold guardian
2 of 11
Shapeshifter
1 of 11
Shadow
1 of 11
Show the 11 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
7
Melancholic
8
Bittersweet
5
Warm
4
Hopeful
5
Other
14

How their films linger

Hopeful10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet6
  • Ambiguous3

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 Marsha Mason's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 15 of their 26 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Marsha Mason'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

48 credits, 26 with a MovieCove page; 10 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Darlene

  • Grace and Frankie(2015)

    Show 8 episodes · as Arlene

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Madam Secretary(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · as Kinsey Sherman

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Across Grace Alley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Grandmother

  • The Middle(2009)

    Show 11 episodes · as Pat Spence

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • The Good Wife(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Louisa Page

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Lipstick Jungle(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Lorraine Lipman

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all shows

  • Army Wives(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · as Charlotte Meade

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Aunt Trudy

  • Bereft (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Helen

  • The Long Shot(2004)

    as Mary Lou O'Brian

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Bride & Prejudice(2004)

    as Catherine Darcy

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ethel Gumm

  • Restless Spirits (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Lydia

  • 2 Days in the Valley(1996)

    as Audrey Hopper

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Nick of Time(1995)

    as Gov. Eleanor Grant

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Broken Trust(1995)

    as Judge Ruth Fraser

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • I Love Trouble(1994)

    as Senator Gayle Robbins

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Frasier(1993)

    Show 7 episodes · as Sherry Dempsey

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Sibs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 10 episodes · as Nora Rusico

  • Drop Dead Fred(1991)

    as Polly

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Stella(1990)

    as Janice Morrison

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Image (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Jean Cromwell

  • Dinner at Eight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Millicent Jordan

  • Seinfeld(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Jennie MacLaine

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Hothouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Courtney Woods

  • Little Miss Perfect (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director

  • Heartbreak Ridge(1986)

    as Aggie

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Trapped in Silence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Jennifer Hubbell

  • Surviving (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Lois

  • Max Dugan Returns(1983)

    as Nora McPhae

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Lois Gibbs and the Love Canal(1982)

    as Lois Gibbs

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Only When I Laugh(1981)

    as Georgia

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Chapter Two (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Jennie MacLaine

  • Promises in the Dark(1979)

    as Dr. Alexandra Kendall

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Good Doctor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Various Roles

  • The Cheap Detective(1978)

    as Georgia Merkle

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Goodbye Girl(1977)

    as Paula McFadden

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Audrey Rose(1977)

    as Janice Templeton

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • The Amazing Miss Cummings: An Actress at Work and Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Actor

  • Cyrano de Begerac (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Roxane

  • Cinderella Liberty(1973)

    as Maggie Paul

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Blume in Love(1973)

    as Arlene

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Young Dr. Kildare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 24 episodes · as Nurse Lord

  • Great Performances (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Roxane

  • Where the Heart Is (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 213 episodes · Actor

  • Beyond the Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Marcia Stillwell

  • Hot Rod Hullabaloo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 48 titles from 1966 to 2026; peak year 1977.

Biggest box office

Heartbreak Ridge (1986)

$43M worldwide

Highest rated

The Goodbye Girl (1977)

Midcredits 90th

Most popular right now

Heartbreak Ridge (1986)

Film career

19662026

Peak 1977 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 2 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
Acting47 of 48: 47 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score62ndDirecting1 of 48: 1 only directing, 0 with another role

By decade

1960s3 · acting1970s12 · acting1980s10 · 9 acting · 1 crew1990s10 · acting2000s9 · acting2010s3 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 17% of 12 roles
7388

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 Marsha Mason's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 55th percentile, the median of all 18; across their 16 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 54th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

54thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Approval · how many liked their films

56thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Reach · how many have seen their films

75thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Midcredits score across 26 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

13 of their 26 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Crowd Pleaser13
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · actor

Drop Dead Fred (1991)

63rd percentile spread · 20% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Grace and Frankie (2015)

Midcredits 94th · 91% liked

Reviewers score the acting 73/100 in their films, across 15 reviewed titles; fans 81, detractors 48. 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 Marsha Mason's work okay for kids?

Across up to 7 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore and profanity run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles35–69 · median 67 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity7 titles6–49 · median 32 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity5 titles60–79 · median 63 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 31 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles34–63 · median 46 · moderatenear the median of all 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 Marsha Mason work with?

People who share at least 2 of Marsha Mason's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Neil Simon shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers