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Terry Moore

Terry Moore

Actor, also producer and writer · Born January 7, 1929 (97) · Los Angeles, California, USA

Born Helen Luella Koford on January 7, 1929, the Los Angeles, California native worked as a model before she made her film debut at age 11 in 20th Century Fox's Maryland (1940). Throughout the 1940s, she worked under a variety of names (her own, Judy Ford and January Ford) before settling on Terry Moore in 1948. Placed under contract by Columbia, Moore was loaned out to RKO for one of her most famous films, RKO's Mighty Joe Young (1949); she received an Academy Award nomination for her performance in Paramount's Come Back, Little Sheba (1952). In the 1970s, she was in the news more than she was in motion pictures, asserting that she was the secret wife of the late billionaire Howard Hughes. She has starred in 77 feature films and listed among her leading men are Hollywood's leading legends; including Burt Lancaster, John Wayne, Cary Grant, Tyrone Power, Glenn Ford, Mickey Rooney and Robert Wagner. Since she was a pilot herself, Terry played a major role in preparing Leonardo DiCaprio for his portrayal of Howard Hughes in The Aviator (2004).

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 7, 1929 (97)
From
Los Angeles, California, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer and writer
Titles
48 on MovieCove · 90 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 27% in 30 days

What are Terry Moore's films like?

Across their 27 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 48th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 13th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure 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
26%
Self
24%
Morality
17%
Survival
17%
Society
8%
Power
6%
Ideas
2%
Family bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 27 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 17 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 2

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

Gentle 8 · Charged 16 · Intense 3

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

Steady 11 · Shifting 12 · Whiplash 4

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 13 · Some laughs 12 · Funny 2

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

Slow burn 11 · Even-paced 14 · Relentless 2

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

Casual 20 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 1

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

Resolved 22 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

11 analyzed roles

Usually the Herald: 3 of 11 analyzed roles.

Herald
3 of 11
Ally
3 of 11
Shapeshifter
2 of 11
Mentor
2 of 11
Hero
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
15
Melancholic
10
Joyful
7
Warm
7
Absurd
7
Other
23

How their films linger

Feel-good12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy14
  • Bittersweet12
  • Ambiguous1

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 Terry Moore's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 22 of their 48 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Terry Moore'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

90 credits, 48 with a MovieCove page; 18 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Merrily (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Betty Clurman

  • Silent Life: The Story of the Lady in Black(2023)

    as Lady in Black

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Aimy in a Cage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Grandma Micry

  • Mansion of Blood(2015)

    as Natalie

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • True Detective(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Lilly Hill

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Margarine Wars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Miriam Cuningham

  • The Still Life(2006)

    as Mrs. Stratford

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Kill Your Darlings(2006)

    as Ella Toscana

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Buzz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • Stageghost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Olive

  • Final Voyage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Christina

  • Mighty Joe Young(1998)

    as Elegant Woman at Party

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Second Chances(1998)

    Producer · as Dallas Judd

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Marilyn and Me(1991)

    as Woman at Hyde's Funeral

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • America's Funniest Home Videos(1989)

    Show 543 episodes · Producer

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all shows

  • Jake Spanner, Private Eye(1989)

    as Sally

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Beverly Hills Brats(1989)

    Original Story · Producer · as Veronica

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Going Overboard(1989)

    as Mistress

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Wiseguy(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • W.A.R.: Women Against Rape (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Mrs. McCormack

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

    as Sidnee Hammond

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Florence

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Knight Rider(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Molly Friedrich

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Matt Houston (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Emily Armor

  • Death Dimension(1978)

    as Madam Maria

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • The Love Boat(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Clark

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • Smash-Up on Interstate 5(1976)

    as Trudy

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • The Daredevil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Julie Thompson

  • Mean Justice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Connie Garrett

  • Quarantined (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Martha Atkinson

  • The Weird World of Weird (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Actor

  • A Man Called Dagger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Harper Davis

  • Waco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Dolly

  • Batman(1966)

    Show 3 episodes · as Venus

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • City of Fear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Suzan

  • Town Tamer(1965)

    as Susan Tavenner

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Black Spurs(1965)

    as Anna Elkins

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

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

    Show 1 episode · as Felice Knight · as Nikki Manners · as Sarah Kingston

  • Empire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 32 episodes · as Connie · as Connie Garrett

  • The Virginian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Alma Wilson

  • My Three Sons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Why Must I Die (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Lois King

  • Platinum High School (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Jennifer Evans

  • The Rebel(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Janice Dutton

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Bonanza(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Lydia Yates

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Cast a Long Shadow(1959)

    as Janet Calvert

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • A Private's Affair(1959)

    as Louise Wright

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Dallas Storm

  • Peyton Place(1957)

    as Betty Anderson

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Clouded Image (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Eleanor

  • Bernardine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Jean Cantrick

  • Between Heaven and Hell(1956)

    as Jenny Gifford

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • No Right to Kill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Lisa

  • Shack Out on 101(1955)

    as Kotty

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Postmark for Danger(1955)

    as Alison Ford

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Ann Winslow

  • Daddy Long Legs(1955)

    as Linda Pendleton

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Chris · as Julie · as Rosa

  • King of the Khyber Rifles(1953)

    as Susan Maitland

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Beneath the 12-Mile Reef(1953)

    as Gwyneth Rhys

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Man on a Tightrope(1953)

    as Tereza Cernik

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Come Back, Little Sheba(1952)

    as Marie Buckholder

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Evvy Jeffers

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

    Show 1 episode · as Susan Randall

  • The Barefoot Mailman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Adie Titus

  • Sunny Side of the Street (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Betty Holloway

  • Two of a Kind(1951)

    as Kathy McIntyre

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Gambling House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Lynn Warren

  • He's a Cockeyed Wonder(1950)

    as Judy Sears

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • The Great Rupert(1950)

    as Rosalinda Amendola

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Mighty Joe Young(1949)

    as Jill Young

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Annabelle

  • The Return of October (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Terry Ramsey

  • Summer Holiday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Hatcheck Girl (uncredited)

  • Heartaches(1947)

    as Girl in Movie with Vic (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • The Devil On Wheels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Rusty Davis (as Jan Ford)

  • Shadowed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Virginia 'Ginny' Johnson (as Helen Koford)

  • The Clock(1945)

    as Girl at Museum (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Son of Lassie(1945)

    as Thea (as Helen Koford)

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Sweet and Low-Down (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Snub-Nosed Girl on Dance Floor (uncredited)

  • Since You Went Away(1944)

    as Refugee Child on Train (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Gaslight(1944)

    as Paula Alquist, Age 14 (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • True to Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Little Girl (uncredited)

  • A-Haunting We Will Go(1942)

    as Dante's Young Admirer (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • My Gal Sal(1942)

    as Carrie Dreiser (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • On the Sunny Side(1942)

    as Schoolgirl (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • One Foot in Heaven(1941)

    as Choir Member (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Howards of Virginia(1940)

    as Neighbor Girl (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Maryland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Linda - Age 10 (uncredited)

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 90 titles from 1940 to 2023; peak year 1998.

Biggest box office

Beverly Hills Brats (1989)

$193K worldwide

Highest rated

Come Back, Little Sheba (1952)

Midcredits 91st

Most popular right now

Mighty Joe Young (1949)

Film career

19402023

Peak 1998 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 4 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.

  • 1942Screen debut· A-Haunting We Will Go
  • 1949First top-billed film· Mighty Joe Young

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting89 of 90: 88 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score53rdWriting1 of 90: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing2 of 90: 1 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1940s19 · acting1950s27 · acting1960s13 · acting1970s7 · acting1980s10 · 9 acting · 2 crew1990s4 · acting2000s4 · acting2010s4 · acting2020s2 · acting

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 7% of 15 roles
425257

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 Terry Moore's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 48th percentile, the median of all 39; across their 27 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 52nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 27

Approval · how many liked their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 27

Reach · how many have seen their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 27

Midcredits score across 48 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up9
  • 50th to 74th16
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th12

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 48 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive3
  • Crowd Pleaser20
  • Broadly Agreed8
  • Mixed12

Most divisive · actor

Silent Life: The Story of the Lady in Black (2023)

93rd percentile spread · 36% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Gaslight (1944)

Midcredits 97th · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 64/100 in their films, across 24 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 41. 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 Terry Moore work with?

People who share at least 2 of Terry Moore's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jimmie Haskell shares the most, 3.

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers