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Philip Sterling

Philip Sterling

Actor · Died November 30, 1998, aged 76 · New York City, New York, USA

Philip Sterling made his Broadway debut in 1955 in the Cole Porter musical ''Silk Stockings.'' His most prominent role on Broadway was that of the adulterous father in Neil Simon's 1986 comedy ''Broadway Bound.'' He also appeared in Ron Cowen's ''Summertree'' and in Gore Vidal's ''An Evening With Richard Nixon and . . .'' playing Dwight D. Eisenhower to George S. Irving's Richard Nixon. Off Broadway, he appeared in ''Brecht on Brecht,'' ''In the Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer,'' ''The Trojan Women'' and ''Victim of Duty.'' His most recent stage appearance was in ''Out of Purgatory'' at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego. A serious student of music, he also was narrator of several concert works, including Schoenberg's ''Survivor from Warsaw'' with the New York Philharmonic under Pierre Boulez at Lincoln Center. Among his films were ''Backfire,'' ''The Competition,'' ''The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight'' and ''Me, Natalie.'' Mr. Sterling began working in television in the days of live comedy and drama, appearing on ''Studio One'' and ''Kraft Television Theater.'' He also acted in ''City of Angels'' and and had recurring roles on ''Sisters'' ''L.A. Law'' and ''St. Elsewhere.'' His guest appearances were many and various, from ''NYPD Blue'' and "Barney Miller" to "Golden Girls" and ''M*A*S*H.'' The son of a Philadelphia lawyer, Mr. Sterling was the first president of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School of Business, he started his career as a jazz pianist before turning to acting. He is survived by his wife, Rhona, and daughter, Mila.

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Biography from IMDb.

Born
October 9, 1922
Died
November 30, 1998 (aged 76)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
48 on MovieCove · 75 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 39 days to Oct 28Up 7% in 30 days

What are Philip Sterling's films like?

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

Genres

Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 52nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 13th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 27th 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
Morality
28%
Self
20%
Bonds
19%
Survival
15%
Power
10%
Society
6%
Ideas
2%
Justice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 16 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 14 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 1

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

Gentle 2 · Charged 7 · Intense 7

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

Steady 7 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 1

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

Straight-faced 12 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 1

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 0

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

A split, not a type: Casual 6 · Engaged 10 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 2 · Affecting 6 · Heavy 8

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

Resolved 11 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
11
Melancholic
10
Warm
4
Bittersweet
3
Joyful
2
Other
6

How their films linger

Bittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet8
  • Ambiguous2

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 Philip Sterling's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 24 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 Philip Sterling'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

75 credits, 48 with a MovieCove page.

  • My Giant(1998)

    as Uncle Nate

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Caroline in the City(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Arnie Glickman

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • Murder One(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Frederick Hartman

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • NYPD Blue(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Albert Bloom

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Truman Ventnor

  • The Long Walk Home(1990)

    as Winston

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • The Death of the Incredible Hulk(1990)

    as Dr. Ronald Pratt

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Perry Mason: The Case of the Musical Murder(1989)

    as Mel Singer

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Fatal Judgement(1988)

    as Judge Josiah Clay

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

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

    as Sam Stein

  • Backfire(1987)

    as Dr. Creason

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • The Wonder Years(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Grandpa Pfeiffer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • thirtysomething (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Circle of Violence: A Family Drama(1986)

    as Jim McLane

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 4 episodes · as Judge Jonathan Cramer

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Killer in the Mirror(1986)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Matlock(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Kenneth Roberts · as Prosecutor · as Thomas Freemont

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Vital Signs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Tommy

  • The Execution of Raymond Graham(1985)

    as Max Adler

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Growing Pains(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Miller

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all shows

  • The Golden Girls(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Ashley · as Dr. Barensfeld

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Movers & Shakers(1985)

    as Other Executive

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Tomboy(1985)

    as Earl Delarue

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Capt. Sam Cohen

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Night Court(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Leonard Blum

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Rita Hayworth: The Love Goddess(1983)

    as Joseph Schenck

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • The A-Team(1983)

    Show 2 episodes · as Grant Eldridge

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • St. Elsewhere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 12 episodes · as Simon Weiss

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

    Show 1 episode · as Attorney Nelson

  • Remington Steele(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as John Seward

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Family Ties(1982)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mr. Winkler

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Divorce Wars: A Love Story(1982)

    as Max Bernheimer

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Wall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Reb Mazur

  • Million Dollar Infield(1982)

    as Harry Ephron

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Simon & Simon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Birddog Hansen

  • Born to Be Sold(1981)

    as Sgt. Prill

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Magnum, P.I.(1980)

    Show 1 episode · as Harry Clayborn

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • The Competition(1980)

    as Mr. Dietrich

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • This Year's Blonde(1980)

    as Dr. Freed

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Meteor(1979)

    as Russian Representative

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Hart to Hart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Lazarus Syndrome (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Skeptical Doctor

  • Promises in the Dark(1979)

    as Dr. Frucht

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The White Shadow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Lee Burns

  • A Question of Love(1978)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Rainbow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Arthur Freed

  • Diff'rent Strokes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Dr. Strange(1978)

    as Dr Frank Taylor, Chief of Psychiatry

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Dr. Scorpion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Adm. Gunwilder

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Audrey Rose(1977)

    as Judge Langley

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Mallory: Circumstantial Evidence(1976)

    as Richmond

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • City of Angels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 13 episodes · as Michael Brimm

  • Murder on Flight 502(1975)

    as Benny Cummings

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Hester Street(1975)

    as Mr. Lipman

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Switch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Boyle

  • Barney Miller(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Frank Rilling, FBI · as Howard Spangler · as Judge Philip Paul Gibson · as Mitchell Warner · as Mr. Buckholtz · as Noel Cadey

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Gambler(1974)

    as Sidney

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Rockford Files(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as County Supervisor Tom Nardoni

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Rhoda (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Come Die with Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Jenkins

  • Pueblo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Court of Inquiry Member

  • M*A*S*H(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Maude(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight(1971)

    as District Attorney Goodman

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Me, Natalie(1969)

    as Mr. Miller

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Another World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1,547 episodes · Actor

  • The Sin of Jesus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as A Friend

  • Naked City(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Officer Schulberg

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Decoy(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Sergeant Basilio

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • The Edge of Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 306 episodes · Actor

  • The Clock (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Suspense (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Show 1 episode · as Ciro

Career shape

Star power in the 88th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 74 titles from 1949 to 1998; peak year 1978.

Biggest box office

The Competition (1980)

$14M worldwide

Highest rated

The Competition (1980)

Midcredits 69th

Most popular right now

Audrey Rose (1977)

Film career

19491998

Peak 1978 · fewer prominent film roles lately. 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.

  • 1975Screen debut· Hester Street
  • 1990Career best· The Death of the Incredible Hulk

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting74 of 74: 74 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score63rd

By decade

1940s2 · acting1950s3 · acting1960s3 · acting1970s26 · acting1980s33 · acting1990s7 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 8 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 Philip Sterling's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 41st percentile, the median of all 28; across their 16 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 36th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

36thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Approval · how many liked their films

47thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Reach · how many have seen their films

35thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Midcredits score across 48 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up16
  • 50th to 74th13
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th11

Shape of the crowd

19 of their 48 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser19
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed18

Most divisive · actor

Mallory: Circumstantial Evidence (1976)

81st percentile spread · 21% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Long Walk Home (1990)

Midcredits 90th · 79% liked

Reviewers score the acting 65/100 in their films, across 11 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 40. 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 Philip Sterling's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 17 · mildMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Philip Sterling work with?

People who share at least 2 of Philip Sterling's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Gilbert Cates shares the most, 2.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers