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Joseph Wiseman

Joseph Wiseman

Actor · Died October 19, 2009, aged 91 · Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Joseph Wiseman (May 15, 1918 – October 19, 2009) was a Canadian theater and film actor, best known for starring as the titular antagonist of the first James Bond film, Dr. No, as well as his career on Broadway. He was once called "the spookiest actor in the American theater".

Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 15, 1918
Died
October 19, 2009 (aged 91)
From
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Works as
Actor
Titles
32 on MovieCove · 78 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 22% in 30 days

What are Joseph Wiseman's films like?

Across their 19 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Power.

Genres

Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 31st percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 63rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 31st percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 65th 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
34%
Power
20%
Bonds
18%
Self
14%
Society
7%
Survival
6%
Justice8 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themePower3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 18 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 5 · Serious 5 · Dark 8

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 8 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 3

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

Gentle 2 · Charged 12 · Intense 4

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

Steady 8 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 0

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

Straight-faced 11 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 1

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

Slow burn 9 · Even-paced 9 · 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 7 · Engaged 10 · Full focus 1

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 9 · Affecting 3 · Heavy 6

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

Resolved 14 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 3 of 8 analyzed roles.

Shadow
3 of 8
Mentor
1 of 8
Shapeshifter
1 of 8
Herald
1 of 8
Ally
1 of 8
Trickster
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
17
Melancholic
9
Thrilling
4
Warm
3
Joyful
2
Other
12

How their films linger

Bittersweet11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteDevastating2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet9
  • Tragic2
  • 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 Joseph Wiseman's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 18 of their 32 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Joseph Wiseman'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

78 credits, 32 with a MovieCove page; 3 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Seymour Bergreen

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Lady Mobster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Victor Castle

  • Crime Story(1986)

    Show 30 episodes · as Manny Weisbord

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Crime Story: Pilot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Manny Weisbord

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Isidore Schoen

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Seize the Day(1986)

    as Dr. Adler

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Joe Catano

  • The Equalizer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Eddie Vanessi

  • The Ghost Writer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Judge Wapter

  • Rage of Angels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 2 episodes · as Antonio Granelli

  • The A-Team(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Zeke Westerland

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Wapter

  • Masada (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 4 episodes · as Jerahmeel, Head Essene

  • The Greatest American Hero(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as James J. Beck

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • Magnum, P.I.(1980)

    Show 1 episode · as Albert Tessa

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Freebie and the Bean (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Carl Morphus

  • Jaguar Lives!(1979)

    as Ben Ashir

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Buck Rogers in the 25th Century(1979)

    as Draco

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Betsy(1978)

    as Jake Weinstein

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Homage to Chagall: The Colours of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Narrator (voice) - English version

  • Murder at the World Series(1977)

    as Sam Druckman

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Journey into Fear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Colonel Haki

  • Zalmen, or The Madness of God (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Rabbi

  • The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz(1974)

    as Uncle Benjy

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Men of the Dragon(1974)

    as Balashev

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

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

    Show 1 episode · as Hon Chi Kai

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

    as Grudin

  • The Suicide Club (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Mr. Silverado

  • Pursuit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Dr. Nordman

  • The Streets of San Francisco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Barbado

  • The Valachi Papers(1972)

    as Salvatore Maranzano

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Lawman(1971)

    as Lucas

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Night Gallery(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Jacob Bauman (segment "Room with a View")

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • The Mask of Sheba (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Fandil Bondalok

  • McCloud(1970)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Stiletto (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Emilio Matteo

  • The Night They Raided Minsky's(1968)

    as Louis Minsky

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

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

    as Rajeski

  • Bye Bye Braverman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Felix Ottensteen

  • The Outsider (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Ernest Grimes

  • Coronet Blue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Rudi Nateseh

  • The F.B.I. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Big Julio · as Mr. Gilford

  • The Legend of Jesse James (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Captain Hammel

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Dr. No(1962)

    as Dr. No

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • The Happy Thieves(1961)

    as Jean Marie Calbert

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • The New Breed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Clayton Grimes

  • Festival (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Messenger · as Prisoner

  • The Westerner(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as 'Serafin'

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • The Unforgiven(1960)

    as Abe Kelsey

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Untouchables (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Albert Maris · as Russell Shield

  • Adventures in Paradise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Torok

  • The Twilight Zone(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul Radin

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Shirley Temple's Storybook(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Lurgan · as Sorceror

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Wagon Train(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Jim Case

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • The Garment Jungle(1957)

    as George Kovan

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Three Brave Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Jim Barron

  • On Trial (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as Antonio

  • Matinee Theater (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Prodigal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Carmish

  • The Silver Chalice(1954)

    as Mijamin

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Studio 57 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Inner Sanctum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Kraft Television Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Loretta Young Show(1953)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Newland

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Champ for a Day(1953)

    as Dominic Guido

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

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

    Show 1 episode · as Manson

  • Les Miserables(1952)

    as Genflou

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Viva Zapata!(1952)

    as Fernando

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Detective Story(1951)

    as Charley Gennini

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Max Gebler

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

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • With These Hands (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Mike Deleo

  • Lights Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

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

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 78 titles from 1949 to 1990; peak year 1961.

Biggest box office

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979)

$22M worldwide

Highest rated

Detective Story (1951)

Midcredits 94th

Most popular right now

Crime Story (1986)

Film career

19491990

Peak 1961 · 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.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting78 of 78: 78 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score65th

By decade

1940s2 · acting1950s25 · acting1960s15 · acting1970s20 · acting1980s15 · acting1990s1 · acting

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 0% of 13 roles
5161

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 Joseph Wiseman's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 60th percentile, the median of all 19; across their 18 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 54th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

54thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Approval · how many liked their films

60thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Reach · how many have seen their films

61stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Midcredits score across 32 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up10
  • 50th to 74th14
  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th5

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 32 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Universally Panned1
  • Crowd Pleaser20
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · actor

Murder at the World Series (1977)

59th percentile spread · 27% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Detective Story (1951)

Midcredits 94th · 84% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 17 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 42. 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 Joseph Wiseman's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 44 · moderateMedian of all films: 32

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

Who does Joseph Wiseman work with?

People who share at least 2 of Joseph Wiseman's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Terence Young shares the most, 2.

Directors

Actors

Composers

Producers

Mixed roles