Let’s be honest, not all actors enjoy the same level of recognition. While some thrive on being in countless movies and TV shows, earning them a lasting presence in pop culture, others only appear in only a few movies. Samuel L. Jackson might seem like the king of movie appearances, but he’s actually not the record holder. Not by a long shot. Here is a list of famous actors who’ve been in the most movies.
Robert Duvall (147 Acting Credits)
Robert Duvall is probably most known for his roles in The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and Deep Impact, but the Oscar-winning actor has been in everything from video games to TV series. Will he ever retire? He last appeared in Netflix films Hustle and The Pale Blue Eye.
Anthony Hopkins (147 Acting Credits)
Anthony Hopkins has been everything from the scariest serial killer to the King of Asgard to a master swordsman in Zorro. With a career that started in television back in 1965, the actor continues to appear in numerous films – these days, usually as a lead. Mr Hopkins continues to prove himself to be one of the coolest actors around. At 86, he is still going strong.
Susan Sarandon (166 Acting Credits)
With a career spanning from 1970 to 2014, Susan Sarandon has become a familiar face in film, television and even documentaries. There aren’t many actresses who can boast the same experience. With a career that spans over a hundred movies so far (and two soon-to-be-released projects on the way), Susan Sarandon is widely renowned as one of the actresses with the most movies in her career.
Jackie Chan (190 Acting Credits)
As an actor and stuntman, Jackie Chan has appeared in more than 190 films throughout the years. One of the main reasons why Chan is one of the actors with the most movies under his belt is that his career spans not only Hollywood but the Chinese film market as well.
Samuel L. Jackson (208 Acting Credits)
The dude’s just everywhere you look. With the number of appearances Samuel L. Jackson is set to make, I’m sure he’ll be at the top of this list in no time. Good luck naming a film he wasn’t in. A movie fan from a very young age, Samuel L. Jackson has become an integral part of modern pop culture thanks to his roles in the Star Wars franchise and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Robert Loggia (234 Acting Credits)
You’ve probably seen Robert Loggia without even realizing it. With 225 film credits, he left his mark as a supporting actor in Scarface, Independence Day, and Gladiator. His career kicked off in 1956 with Somebody Up There Likes Me, an uncredited role that barely hinted at what was to come. Loggia preferred the big screen, though he popped up on TV too, notably in T.H.E. Cat. Even if most of his roles were supporting, his presence was impossible to ignore. He passed away in 2015, but his body of work ensures his face—and talent—remain unforgettable.
Michael Ironside (277 Acting Credits)
Michael Ironside has one of those careers where you almost forget how many times you’ve seen him until you start listing the films. Robocop, Total Recall, Starship Troopers—he’s the guy who shows up, stares you down with that icy glare, and instantly owns the scene. Sci-fi fans will never forget his head-splitting turn in Cronenberg’s Scanners, while DC diehards know his voice as Darkseid. Typecast? Hardly. Ironside thrives on authority figures and villains, and at 75 he’s not slowing down. With eight upcoming projects on IMDb, he’s charging toward the 300-role milestone like it’s just another mission briefing.
Christopher Lee (289 Acting Credits)
Christopher Lee didn’t just rack up credits—he practically defined what it means to have a stacked filmography. Stick strictly to movies, and you get 213 roles. Add TV and shorts, and you’re staring at over 280 appearances. That’s a lot of late nights if you ever attempt a full marathon. Known as the “Master of Horror” for his unforgettable turns as Dracula in Hammer’s gothic classics, Lee later became a pop culture legend for joining The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars universes. He even popped up in Indiana Jones and The LEGO Movie. Lee passed away on 7 June 2015, but his cinematic shadow still looms large.
Stephen Tobolowsky (292 Acting Credits)
American character actor Stephen Tobolowsky was born to play the stereotypical “suit” bumbling villain. His calm acting style and explosive comedic energy make him the perfect fit for those villains you can’t help but love – even if they’re unbelievably annoying. Tobolowsky’s trademark self-deprecating humour gels perfectly with the characters he so frequently embodies.
John Carradine (354 Acting Credits)
John Carradine’s résumé reads like a tour through Hollywood history. He showed up in Stagecoach, The Grapes of Wrath, and even The Ten Commandments—films that defined an era. Beyond his own career, he launched a dynasty that included David Carradine and a line of actors who kept the family name on screens for decades. Carradine passed away in 1988 at the age of 82, but his work didn’t stop there. Thanks to one of his final cameos, he appeared posthumously in the 1995 cult horror Jack-O alongside Cameron Mitchell, proving his presence in cinema stretched far beyond his lifetime.
Richard Riehle (417 Acting Credits)
Richard Riehle has one of those faces you recognize instantly, even if you can’t place the name. With over 400 film and TV credits, he’s practically Hollywood’s secret weapon. His mustache deserves its own IMDb page, and his ability to jump from comedy to drama without missing a step proves you don’t need six-pack abs to avoid typecasting. Most fans still point to his meltdown as Tom Smykowski in Office Space as peak Riehle. But when you look at his career, you realize he’s been everywhere, always stealing moments while never being stuck in the same role twice.
Danny Trejo (437 Acting Credits)
Danny Trejo (one of the actors who has basically played the same character in every movie) was born to play bad guys. His impressive acting career features over 437 credits, a number that puts Trejo quite high on the list of actors in most movies and TV shows.
James Hong (462 Acting Credits)
Much like the title of one of his most acclaimed films, James Hong has seemingly been everywhere all at once. That’s the only way someone could amass over four hundred and sixty acting roles in their career. The best part? Despite being 95, James Hong is still going strong.
Eric Roberts (737 Acting Credits & Another 85 Upcoming Appearances)
When it comes to actors who have been in most movies, Eric Roberts is certainly in a league of his own. Even though he’s been in over hundreds of films over the years, most people might be familiar with his role as gangster Sal Maroni in The Dark Knight Trilogy.
Bess Flowers (1081 Acting Credits)
Due to her extensive work as a background actor, Bess Flowers is known as the “Queen of the Hollywood Extras”. The actress appeared in small roles in hundreds of films from the 1920s to the 1960s, including classics like It’s a Wonderful Life (as Bar Patron) and Some Like It Hot (as Party Guest). See the full list of 27 Actors Who Have Appeared in the Most Movies.
