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Tim Ryan

Tim Ryan

Actor and writer · Died October 22, 1956, aged 57 · Bayonne, New Jersey, USA

Tim Ryan was an American performer who is probably best known today as a film actor. Ryan and his wife, Irene who later played Granny on The Beverly Hillbillies, were a show business team that performed on Broadway, film and radio. They made some short films for Educational Pictures in the mid-1930s based on their vaudeville act. They were married from 1922 to 1942. Even after their divorce in 1942, the couple occasionally worked together. In the 1940s, Ryan found opportunities at Monogram Pictures where he acted in films as well as wrote screenplays. In films of the 1940s and the early 1950s, Ryan appeared on screen playing numerous roles as cops, newspaper editors and detectives.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 4, 1899
Died
October 22, 1956 (aged 57)
From
Bayonne, New Jersey, USA
Works as
Actor and writer
Titles
43 on MovieCove · 125 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 27% in 30 days

What are Tim Ryan's films like?

Across their 17 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: 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
38%
Bonds
30%
Self
15%
Survival
7%
Ideas
7%
Power
4%
Justice9 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition3 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGreed2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 17 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 14 · Serious 2 · Dark 1

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 11 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 1

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 10 · Charged 5 · Intense 2

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

Steady 10 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 0

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 3 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 8

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

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 11 · 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 5 · Full focus 2

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

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles

Usually the Trickster: 2 of 4 analyzed roles.

Trickster
2 of 4
Ally
1 of 4
Hero
1 of 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
10
Joyful
9
Absurd
10
Romantic
4
Contemplative
3
Other
5

How their films linger

Fun14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy12
  • Bittersweet2
  • Ambiguous2
  • Cyclical1

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 Tim Ryan's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 19 of their 43 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Tim Ryan'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

125 credits, 43 with a MovieCove page.

  • The Buster Keaton Story(1957)

    as Studio Policeman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Further Adventures of Spin and Marty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as Chauffeur Jason

  • The Cruel Tower (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Actor

  • Fighting Trouble (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Ray Vance

  • Private Eyes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Andy

  • From Here to Eternity(1953)

    as Sgt. Pete Karelsen

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

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

    as Stage Driver

  • Jalopy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Screenplay

  • The Life Of Riley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · as Fire Chief

  • The Abbott and Costello Show(1952)

    Show 1 episode · as Police Lt. Smith

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • No Holds Barred (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Writer

  • Feudin' Fools (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Screenplay

  • Fargo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Sam

  • Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla(1952)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Here Come the Marines (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Writer · as Sheriff Benson

  • Hold That Line (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Screenplay

  • All That I Have (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Ben Renson

  • Crazy Over Horses (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Screenplay · as Flynn

  • Force of Evil(1948)

    as Johnson

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Joe Palooka in Humphrey Takes a Chance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Bentley

  • The Asphalt Jungle(1950)

    as Jack - Police Clerk (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Jiggs and Maggie Out West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Dinty Moore

  • French Fried Frolic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Tim

  • Wha' Happen? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Tim, Vera's husband

  • Red, Hot and Blue(1949)

    as Stranger (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Jiggs and Maggie in Jackpot Jitters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Dinty Moore

  • Forgotten Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Harry

  • Sky Dragon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Lt. Mike Ruark

  • Champion(1949)

    as Al (Kansas City Manager) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Alias Nick Beal(1949)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Miss Mink of 1949(1949)

    as Police Sgt. Clancy

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Shamrock Hill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Uncle

  • Jiggs and Maggie in Court (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Dinty Moore

  • Trouble Makers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Screenplay

  • Smugglers' Cove(1948)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Luck of the Irish(1948)

    as Policeman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Golden Eye(1948)

    as Vincent O'Brien / Lt. Mike Ruark

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • The Shanghai Chest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Lt. Mike Ruark

  • Jinx Money (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Screenplay

  • Angels' Alley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Screenplay

  • Half Past Midnight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Amos, Bartender

  • Jiggs and Maggie in Society (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Dinty Moore

  • Bowery Buckaroos(1947)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Body and Soul(1947)

    as Jack Shelton (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Merton of the Movies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Mammoth Studio's Night guard (uncredited)

  • News Hounds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    Screenplay · as John 'Bullfrog' Burke

  • High Barbaree(1947)

    as Ringmaster (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Blondie's Holiday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Mike

  • Bringing Up Father (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Dinty Moore

  • Wife Wanted (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Bartender

  • Spook Busters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    Screenplay

  • Bowery Bombshell(1946)

    Dialogue

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • In Fast Company (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    Screenplay

  • Two Sisters from Boston(1946)

    as Mr. Dibson (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Dark Alibi(1946)

    as Foggy

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Live Wires (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    Screenplay

  • Swing Parade of 1946(1946)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Detour(1945)

    as Diner Owner Gus

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Swingin' on a Rainbow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Hustun Greer

  • Rockin' in the Rockies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Tom Trove

  • G.I. Honeymoon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    Additional Dialogue

  • Fashion Model(1945)

    Screenplay · as O'Hara

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • There Goes Kelly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    Additional Dialogue

  • Adventures of Kitty O'Day(1945)

    Screenplay · as Inspector Clancy

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Hi, Beautiful (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Babcock

  • Crazy Knights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    Story · as Grogan

  • Shadow of Suspicion(1944)

    Writer · as Everett G. Northrup

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Leave It to the Irish (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    Screenplay

  • Kansas City Kitty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Dave Clark

  • Detective Kitty O'Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    Screenplay · as Inspector Clancy

  • And the Angels Sing(1944)

    as Stage-Door Man (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Hot Rhythm(1944)

    Screenplay · as Mr. O'Hara (as Tim)

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Swingtime Johnny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Sparks

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

    as Mr. Mammal (uncredited)

  • Swing Out the Blues (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Judge Dudley Gordon

  • The Sultan's Daughter(1943)

    Screenplay · as Tim

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Riding High (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Jones

  • The Mystery of the 13th Guest(1943)

    Screenplay · as Lieutenant Burke

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Melody Parade(1943)

    Screenplay · as Happy Harrington

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Sarong Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Tim Raynor

  • Redhead from Manhattan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Mike Glendon

  • Reveille with Beverly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Mr. Kennedy (uncredited)

  • Stand by for Action(1942)

    as Lt. Tim Ryan

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Strictly in the Groove (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Professor Blake

  • Stand by All Networks(1942)

    as Police Inspector Ryan

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Get Hep to Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Detective Tucker

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

    as Auctioneer

  • This Gun for Hire(1942)

    as Weems, Guard (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Butch Minds the Baby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Mike (uncredited)

  • The Courtship of Andy Hardy(1942)

    as Farrell (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Nazi Agent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Officer (uncredited)

  • This Time for Keeps (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Professor Diz

  • A Tragedy at Midnight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Police Commissioner (uncredited)

  • Pardon My Stripes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Speed Wilson (uncredited)

  • Blondie Goes to College (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Mr. Higby, Football Coach

  • Blue, White and Perfect (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Barney - Cop

  • Don't Get Personal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Traffic Cop

  • Bedtime Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Mac

  • Melody Lane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Police Sergeant

  • Ball of Fire(1941)

    as Motor Policeman

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Devil Pays Off (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as First Mate

  • I Wake Up Screaming(1941)

    as Detective (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Three Girls About Town(1941)

    as Singing Drunk

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Two Latins from Manhattan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Police Sergeant

  • Harmon of Michigan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Flash Regan

  • Ice-Capades (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Jackson

  • Pot o' Gold(1941)

    as 'Snooky' - Spieler (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Dead Men Tell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Bartender (Uncredited)

  • A Man Betrayed(1941)

    as Mr. Wilson

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Strawberry Blonde(1941)

    as Streetcleaner Foreman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Maisie Was a Lady(1941)

    as Second Carnival Barker (Uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Lucky Devils (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Momser

  • Where Did You Get That Girl? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Police Inspector

  • Hullabaloo(1940)

    as Skee Golf Concessionaire

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • I'm Nobody's Sweetheart Now (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Judge Saunders

  • Third Finger, Left Hand(1940)

    as Third Mate on Ship

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Private Affairs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Bartender Harry

  • Brother Orchid(1940)

    as Turkey Malone

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Will You Stop? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    Story · as Tim / Mark Antony

  • His Pest Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    Story · as Tim Ryan

  • The Big Courtship (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    Story · as Tim Ryan

  • The Wacky Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    Dialogue · Actor

  • Peaceful Relations (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    Writer · as Tim

  • Just Plain Folks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    Dialogue · Actor

  • One Big Happy Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    Writer · as Tim Ryan

Career shape

Star power in the 84th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 124 titles from 1935 to 1957.

Biggest box office

Detour (1945)

$16K worldwide

Highest rated

Detour (1945)

Midcredits 90th

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting107 of 124: 89 only acting, 18 with another role · typical Midcredits score61stWriting33 of 124: 15 only writing, 18 with another role · typical Midcredits score28thOther crew2 of 124: 2 only other crew, 0 with another role

124 titles, 18 with more than one role — acting and writing overlap on 18 of them.

By decade

1930s7 · 7 acting · 7 crew1940s95 · 83 acting · 21 crew1950s22 · 17 acting · 7 crew

Billing

usually 18th · 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 Tim Ryan's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 57th percentile, the median of all 42; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 40th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

40thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Approval · how many liked their films

27thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

16thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Midcredits score across 43 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up14
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th9

Shape of the crowd

21 of their 43 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Crowd Pleaser21
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · writer

Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla (1952)

86th percentile spread · 55% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

Midcredits 97th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 55/100 in their films, across 15 reviewed titles; fans 65, detractors 35. 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 Tim Ryan work with?

People who share at least 2 of Tim Ryan's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; William Beaudine shares the most, 9.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers