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Paula Shaw

Paula Shaw

Actor · Died September 10, 2025, aged 84 · The Bronx, New York, USA

Paula Shaw (July 17, 1941 – September 10, 2025) wasan American actress. A life member of The Actors Studio, Shaw has portrayed characters in numerous films and on television. She is perhaps most well known who for portraying the character of Mrs. Pamela Voorhees in the Freddy vs. Jason movie.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 17, 1941
Died
September 10, 2025 (aged 84)
From
The Bronx, New York, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
50 on MovieCove · 65 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 19% in 30 days

What are Paula Shaw's films like?

Across their 20 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 75th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 66th percentile
: browse their Drama 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
40%
Self
16%
Society
14%
Survival
12%
Morality
11%
Power
4%
Ideas
4%
Romantic love8 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 19 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 12 · Serious 4 · Dark 3

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

Grounded 16 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 0

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 11 · Charged 6 · Intense 2

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

Steady 16 · Shifting 2 · Whiplash 1

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

Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 9 · Funny 2

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

Slow burn 15 · Even-paced 4 · 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 4 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 19 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 3 of 8 analyzed roles.

Ally
3 of 8
Mentor
2 of 8
Threshold guardian
2 of 8
Herald
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Romantic
9
Joyful
8
Warm
7
Hopeful
8
Tense
5
Other
17

How their films linger

Feel-good15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCozy3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy15
  • Bittersweet4
  • Tragic1

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 Paula Shaw's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 44 of their 50 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (18).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Paula Shaw'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

65 credits, 50 with a MovieCove page.

  • Round and Round(2023)

    as Grandma Rosie

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Hanukkah on Rye(2022)

    as Esther

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Wedding of a Lifetime(2022)

    as Rose Alexander

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Wedding Veil Legacy(2022)

    as Gia

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • A Mrs. Miracle Christmas(2021)

    as Helen

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Day of the Dead(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. French

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all shows

  • It Was Always You(2021)

    as Grandma Vivien

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Five Star Christmas(2020)

    as Margo Ralston

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Elsewhere(2019)

    as Dora Maloney

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Fall Back Down (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Mrs. Simmons

  • Picture a Perfect Christmas(2019)

    as Louise Griffith

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Coming Home for Christmas(2017)

    as Pippa Marley

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Destination Wedding(2017)

    as Grandma Goldie

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Twist of Fate(2013)

    as Hava Fisher

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Hitched for the Holidays(2012)

    as Theresa

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Mr. Young(2011)

    Show 80 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all shows

  • R.L. Stine's the Haunting Hour(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Nana

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Ties That Bind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Mrs. Vega

  • Home for the Holidays(2005)

    as Miss Carol Parker

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Terminal City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Supernatural(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Grandmother Demon

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Killer Bash (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Janine J. Gordon

  • Chupacabra Terror(2005)

    as Mrs. Hartman

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • The Ranch(2004)

    as Yetta

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Freddy vs. Jason(2003)

    as Mrs. Pamela Voorhees

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Night Creep (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Dr. Wayborn

  • Mary Higgins Clark's: We'll Meet Again(2002)

    as Edna Barry

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • The Twilight Zone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge

  • Insomnia(2002)

    as Coroner

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Off Season(2001)

    as Managing Editor

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Reindeer Games(2000)

    as Aunt Lisbeth

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • So Weird(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Betty Johnson

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Da Vinci's Inquest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Merchants of Venus(1998)

    as Dolores

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Outer Limits(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Executive · as Mrs. Janus

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • A Stranger in the Mirror(1993)

    as Mrs. Czinski

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • The X-Files(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Ward Nurse

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Fatal Memories(1992)

    as Leah

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Shame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Mrs. Rudolph

  • The Commish(1991)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Communion(1989)

    as Woman from Apartment

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Beverly Hills Buntz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Spelling

  • Wiseguy(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • 21 Jump Street(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Jones · as Mrs. Sanders

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • When the Bough Breaks(1986)

    as Judge

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Witchfire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Nurse Flemmings

  • Savage Streets(1984)

    as Charlene

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas(1982)

    as Wulla Jean

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Cagney & Lacey(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Archie Bunker's Place(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all shows

  • ...and Your Name Is Jonah(1979)

    as Ann

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Lou Grant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Three's Company(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Ruth Wood

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • In the Glitter Palace(1977)

    as Ruth

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Chatterbox!(1977)

    as Policewoman

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Herowork (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Woman in Convertible

  • Starsky and Hutch(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Barney Miller(1975)

    Show 3 episodes · as Paula Capshaw

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Little House on the Prairie(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Angela

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • The Centerfold Girls(1974)

    as Mrs. Walker

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • The Roommates (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Socks' Ex-Girlfriend

  • The Bob Newhart Show(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Tammy Ziegler

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • To Hex with Sex (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Lucibel

  • Freedom to Love(1969)

    as Sandy

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Ironside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 93rd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 65 titles from 1967 to 2023; peak year 2021.

Highest rated

The Wedding Veil Legacy (2022)

Midcredits 84th

Most popular right now

Mr. Young (2011)

Film career

19672023

Peak 2021 · at the high point of their film career. 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.

  • 1977Screen debut· Chatterbox!

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting65 of 65: 65 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score59th

By decade

1960s3 · acting1970s13 · acting1980s9 · acting1990s9 · acting2000s14 · acting2010s8 · acting2020s9 · acting

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 15 roles
7712

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 Paula Shaw's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 49th percentile, the median of all 33; across their 19 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 64th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

64thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Approval · how many liked their films

70thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Reach · how many have seen their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Midcredits score across 50 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up18
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

21 of their 50 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Cult Classic4
  • Crowd Pleaser21
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed18

Most divisive · actor

Mr. Young (2011)

87th percentile spread · 27% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Barney Miller (1975)

Midcredits 93rd · 91% liked

Reviewers score the acting 66/100 in their films, across 18 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 38. 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 Paula Shaw work with?

People who share at least 2 of Paula Shaw's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Allen Lewis shares the most, 7.

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers