Skip to content
MovieCove
Mercedes McCambridge

Mercedes McCambridge

Actor · Died March 2, 2004, aged 87 · Joliet, Illinois, U.S.

Carlotta Mercedes McCambridge (March 16, 1916 – March 2, 2004) was an American actress. Orson Welles called her "the world's greatest living radio actress". She won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for ¨All the King's Men¨ (1949) and was nominated in the same category for ¨Giant¨ (1956). She also provided the voice of the demon ¨Pazuzu¨ in ¨The Exorcist¨ (1973). Description above from the Wikipedia article Mercedes McCambridge, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia Read more:

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 16, 1916
Died
March 2, 2004 (aged 87)
From
Joliet, Illinois, U.S.
Works as
Actor
Titles
29 on MovieCove · 60 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 65 days to Oct 28Down 16% in 30 days

What are Mercedes McCambridge's films like?

Across their 15 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Power.

Genres

Drama11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile
: browse their Crime 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
Morality
25%
Power
21%
Bonds
16%
Self
15%
Survival
11%
Society
7%
Ideas
4%
Justice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLegacy2 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 15 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 1 · Serious 5 · Dark 9

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 6 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 5

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

Gentle 0 · Charged 8 · Intense 7

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

Steady 3 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 2

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 14 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 0

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 8 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 0

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

Casual 4 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 3

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 7 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 5 of 7 analyzed roles.

Shadow
5 of 7
Ally
1 of 7
Threshold guardian
1 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
14
Melancholic
9
Dread
4
Absurd
3
Contemplative
3
Other
6

How their films linger

Thought-provoking7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet7
  • Tragic4
  • 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 Mercedes McCambridge's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 15 of their 29 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (7).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Mercedes McCambridge'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

60 credits, 29 with a MovieCove page; 7 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Other Side of the Wind(2018)

    as Maggie Noonan

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Amazing Stories: The Movie III (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Miss Lestrange (voice)

  • Amazing Stories(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Miss Lestrange (voice)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Lyman H. Howe's High Class Moving Pictures (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Cagney & Lacey(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Echoes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Lillian Gerben

  • Magnum, P.I.(1980)

    Show 1 episode · as Agatha Kimball

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Hagen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Concorde... Airport '79(1979)

    as Nelli

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

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

    Show 2 episodes · as Ma Sackett

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Thieves(1977)

    as Street Lady

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Charlie's Angels(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Norma

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • Who Is the Black Dahlia?(1975)

    as Grandmother

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Khan! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Exorcist(1973)

    as Demon (voice)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The President's Plane Is Missing(1973)

    as Hester Madigan

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Girls of Huntington House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Doris McKenzie

  • Sixteen(1972)

    as Mother

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Two for the Money(1972)

    as Mrs. Castle

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

  • Killer by Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Sister Sarah

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Marquis de Sade's Justine(1969)

    as Madame Dusbois

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • 99 Women(1969)

    as Thelma Diaz

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • The Name of the Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Counterfeit Killer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Frances

  • ABC Stage 67 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Run Home Slow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Nell Hagen

  • Lost in Space(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Sybilla

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Bewitched(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Carlotta

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Dakotas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Jay French

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

    Show 3 episodes · as Sister Teresa

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

    Show 1 episode · as Mildred Cochraine

  • Angel Baby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Sarah Strand

  • Cimarron(1960)

    as Mrs. Sarah Wyatt

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Suddenly, Last Summer(1959)

    as Grace Holly

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Jessie Quinn

  • Bonanza(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Deborah Banning · as Matilda Curtis

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Ada Randolph · as Ma Gufler · as Mrs. Martha Mushgrove · as Mrs. Miller

  • Touch of Evil(1958)

    as Gang Leader (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • A Farewell to Arms(1957)

    as Mrs. Van Campen

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Wagon Train(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Emily Rossiter

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Panic! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Giant(1956)

    as Luz Benedict

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Wire Service (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 35 episodes · as Kate Wells

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

    Show 1 episode · as Rubilee Mather

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

    Show 1 episode · as Eliza

  • Summer Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Johnny Guitar(1954)

    as Emma Small

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Loretta Young Show(1953)

    Show 1 episode · as Cissy Brackett

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Red Skelton Hour(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Clara Appleby

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Tales of Tomorrow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Lightning Strikes Twice(1951)

    as Liza McStringer

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • The Scarf(1951)

    as Connie Carter

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Inside Straight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Ada Stritch

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

    Show 1 episode · as Chris · as Marie

  • All the King's Men(1949)

    as Sadie Burke

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

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

    Show 2 episodes · as Connie MartIn

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 60 titles from 1948 to 2018; peak year 2018.

Biggest box office

Giant (1956)

$33M worldwide

Highest rated

Giant (1956)

Midcredits 95th

Film career

19482018

Peak 2018 · steadily prominent in film for years. 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.

  • 1949Screen debut· All the King's Men

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting60 of 60: 60 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score64th

By decade

1940s2 · acting1950s22 · acting1960s15 · acting1970s13 · acting1980s6 · acting1990s1 · acting2010s1 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 12 roles
4959

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 Mercedes McCambridge's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 58th percentile, the median of all 19; across their 15 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 15

Approval · how many liked their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Reach · how many have seen their films

68thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Midcredits score across 29 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th5
  • Below 25th5

Shape of the crowd

14 of their 29 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Crowd Pleaser14
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed8

Most divisive · actor

Thieves (1977)

78th percentile spread · 44% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Exorcist (1973)

Midcredits 97th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 68/100 in their films, across 15 reviewed titles; fans 77, 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 Mercedes McCambridge's work okay for kids?

Across up to 8 MovieCove titles with content scores, 2 of the 5 categories sit near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles18–51 · median 45 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity8 titles10–73 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 21 · mildMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 32 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 26 · mildMedian 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 Mercedes McCambridge work with?

People who share at least 2 of Mercedes McCambridge's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jesús Franco shares the most, 2.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Mixed roles