Orson Welles

Best known as an Actor based on credits in that role in 21 films, with $254,211,806 worldwide aggregate box office (rank #16,660)

Best-known acting roles: Lew Lord (The Muppet Movie), Narrator (History of the World: Part I), Brig. General Dreedle (Catch-22), Cardinal Wolsey (A Man for All Seasons), Le Chiffre (Casino Royale)

Best-known technical roles: Campanadas a medianoche (Director), Campanadas a medianoche (Screenwriter), Campanadas a medianoche (Production Designer), Le procès (Director), Le procès (Screenwriter)

Born: May 6, 1915

Died: October 10, 1985

Summary
News
Acting Credits
Technical Credits

Career Summary

		Movies	Domestic Box Office	International Box Office	Worldwide Box Office
As an Actor	Leading	5	$2,160,868	$597,129	$2,757,997
	Supporting	2	$22,838,251	$19,000,153	$41,838,404
	Lead Ensemble Member	2	$28,350,000	$0	$28,350,000
	Documentary Subject	2	$15,528	$4,977	$20,505
	Cameo	1	$76,657,000	$0	$76,657,000
	(Unclassified)	9	$104,554,328	$33,572	$104,587,900
In Technical Roles	Director	11	$3,457,916	$78,195	$3,536,111
	Screenwriter	4	$220,257	$153	$220,410
	Production Designer	1	$126,724	$0	$126,724
	Editor	1	$0	$0	$0

Latest Ranking on Selected Box Office Record Lists

Record	Rank	Amount
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 2,901-3,000)	2,918	$30,510,868
Top Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 7,901-8,000)	7,981	$234,575,975
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the International Box Office (Rank 5,701-5,800)	5,789	$597,129
Top Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 41,401-41,500)	41,453	$19,635,831
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 3,801-3,900)	3,823	$31,107,997
Top Stars at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 16,601-16,700)	16,660	$254,211,806
Top Grossing Director at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 2,801-2,900)	2,840	$3,457,916
Top Grossing Production Designer at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,401-1,500)	1,427	$126,724
Top Grossing Screenwriter at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 6,801-6,900)	6,894	$220,257
Top Grossing Director at the International Box Office (Rank 10,101-10,200)	10,103	$78,195
Top Grossing Screenwriter at the International Box Office (Rank 8,901-9,000)	8,999	$153
Top Grossing Director at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 4,901-5,000)	4,930	$3,536,111
Top Grossing Production Designer at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 1,801-1,900)	1,853	$126,724
Top Grossing Screenwriter at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 8,801-8,900)	8,846	$220,410

See the Acting Credits tab for all Acting Box Office Records and the Technical Credits tab for all Technical Box Office Records.

New on Disc: Trolls Tower Above the Competition

July 7th, 2020

Trolls World Tour is coming out on physical media this week, on all four major formats: DVD, Blu-ray, 3D, and 4K Ultra HD. However, while it is easily the biggest release of the week, it isn’t the best. There are two contenders for Pick of the Week, Murdoch Mysteries: Season 13 and The War of the Worlds: Criterion Collection. The War of the Worlds is the Pick of the Week, but Murdoch Mysteries does get the rarely-awarded Puck of the Week, for Best Canadian Release. More...

Limited and VOD Releases: Which Limited Releases Will Crack the Case of the Box Office?

March 15th, 2019

It’s a good week for limited releases with a lot of different films. This includes some made for mainstream appeal (Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase and No Manches Frida 2) as well as more art house fair (The Mustang and Starfish). There are even some documentaries (Combat Obscura and The Eyes of Orson Welles) and foreign-language films (Ash is Purest White and Iceman). I just hope the competition isn’t too much and at least some of these films thrive in theaters. More...

Home Market Releases for November 27th, 2018

November 28th, 2018

It is the week after Thanksgiving, which is a terrible week to release a DVD / Blu-ray. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are over, so a lot gifts are already bought for people who might be interested in a DVD / Blu-ray to watch. That’s not to say there’s nothing on this list that’s worth picking up. There are a few items, but Searching is clearly the best and the Blu-ray is the only real contender for Pick of the Week. More...

Limited and VOD Releases: Limited Releases won’t be Erased

November 2nd, 2018

There are a few limited releases on this week’s list that could do well in theaters; A Private War, Bodied, and Boy Erased should do well. On the other hand, if you are not interested in heading out to the theaters, Possum is a great choice for Video on Demand. More...

Home Market Releases for October 10th, 2017

October 10th, 2017

It’s a good week for the home market with top notch releases in nearly every category. Baby Driver is the biggest first run release of the week and one of the best releases. The Lure is a foreign-language film and one of two Criterion Collection releases in competition for Pick of the Week. Maudie is a Canadian limited release that did surprisingly well in theaters. Finally there’s Othello, which first came out more than 60 years ago. The only thing we are missing is a TV on DVD title. As for the winner, I’m giving Pick of the Week to, Othello, while Maudie wins Puck of the Week for Best Canadian Release. More...

Home Market Releases for September 26th, 2017

September 27th, 2017

Transformers: The Last Knight is the biggest release of the week and it has scared away a lot of the competition, but it’s garbage and should be avoided. There are no big releases that are pick of the week contenders, but some smaller ones fit the bill, including David Lynch: The Art Life: The Criterion Collection, HYOUKA: Part Two, and Shameless: The Complete Seventh Season. All are amazing and worth checking out, but none have many extras, so it is up to the role of the dice to determine the Pick of the Week. ... And it’s HYOUKA. More...

DVD and Blu-ray Releases for May 26th, 2015

May 25th, 2015

Wow. It is a summer week on the home market, as there are a ton of summer shows coming out on DVD. Unfortunately, none of them seem like big sellers. The best-selling new release of the week is Seventh Son, which is a terrible sign. The second best is The Nanny: The Complete Series. I don't know how to react to that. As for the best of the new releases, Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Wells (DVD or Blu-ray) is as good as it gets. More...

Limited Release: Vice as Nice

December 12th, 2014

We are deep into Awards season with three major awards nominations already handed out. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of limited releases coming out this week that will be part of Awards Season. Inherent Vice is the biggest release of the week, but its reviews are only good and not great, while there are a lot of great films in theaters at the moment. More...

Featured Blu-ray Review: Shogun

July 22nd, 2014

Shogun is a TV mini-series that first aired way back in 1980. I saw the theatrical cut on VHS, and remember loving the show. However, that was about 25 years ago and my tastes might have changed and / or the film might not have aged gracefully. Is it as good as I remember it? And is the Blu-ray worth picking up? More...

Featured Blu-ray Review: The Muppet Movie

August 11th, 2013

The Muppet Movie came out 34 years ago, which makes it a little strange they are releasing a 35th Anniversary edition Blu-ray this week. Then again, I'm glad I don't have to wait another year to get this movie on Blu-ray, because I loved it as a kid. Does it still hold up decades later? And is the Blu-ray worth picking up if you are a fan of the movie? More...

DVD and Blu-ray Releases for November 20th, 2012

November 18th, 2012

It's not a good week on the home market. The best-selling new release is The Expendables 2, which makes sense, as the film made $300 million worldwide. However, the second best selling new release of the week is Cinderella on DVD. The Blu-ray Combo Pack came out last month and is currently cheaper than the DVD. It is a really shallow week for new releases. As for releases that might compete for Pick of the Week, there's not a lot here to look at. I'm going to go with the special edition DVD for The Point! a TV movie from 1971 that isn't exactly forgotten, but is isn't as well known as it should be. Grave of the Fireflies on Blu-ray is the only other contender for the week. More...

All Acting Credits

Release Date	Title	Role	Domestic Box Office	International Box Office	Worldwide Box Office
Jun 20, 2017	Ein Unbekannter rechne…	U.N. Owen
Jan 1, 2016	Campanadas a medianoche	Sir John Falstaff	$126,724		$126,724
Mar 17, 2015	The Lady from Shanghai
Dec 10, 2014	Magician: The Astonish…	Himself	$15,528	$4,977	$20,505
Aug 8, 1986	The Transformers: The …	Unicron	$5,849,647		$5,849,647
Jun 12, 1981	History of the World: …	Narrator	$31,672,000		$31,672,000
Jun 22, 1979	The Muppet Movie	Lew Lord	$76,657,000		$76,657,000
1976	Verites et mensonges	Self
Unknown	Hopper/Welles	Himself
Jun 24, 1970	Catch-22	Brig. General Dre…	$24,911,670		$24,911,670
Apr 28, 1967	Casino Royale	Le Chiffre	$22,744,718	$19,000,000	$41,744,718
Dec 12, 1966	A Man for All Seasons	Cardinal Wolsey	$28,350,000		$28,350,000
Sep 19, 1963	The V.I.P.s	Max Buda	$15,000,000		$15,000,000
Feb 20, 1963	Le procès		$93,533	$153	$93,686
Oct 30, 1961	King of Kings	Narrator	$14,483,352		$14,483,352
Apr 1, 1959	Compulsion
May 21, 1958	Touch of Evil	Capt. Hank Quinlan	$2,237,659	$21,681	$2,259,340
Jun 27, 1956	Moby Dick	Father Mapple	$10,400,000	$11,891	$10,411,891
Feb 2, 1950	The Third Man	Harry Lime	$1,034,144	$540,768	$1,574,912
Apr 7, 1944	Jane Eyre	Edward Rochester
May 1, 1941	Citizen Kane	Charles Foster Kane	$1,000,000	$56,361	$1,056,361

Averages			$15,638,398	$2,805,119	$16,947,454
Totals	21		$234,575,975	$19,635,831	$254,211,806

Leading or Lead Ensemble Roles

Release Date	Title	Opening Weekend	Maximum Theaters	Domestic Box Office	Worldwide Box Office	Domestic Share
Jun 20, 2017	Ein Unbekannter rechne…
Jan 1, 2016	Campanadas a medianoche	$18,958	4	$126,724	$126,724	100.0%
1976	Verites et mensonges
Dec 12, 1966	A Man for All Seasons			$28,350,000	$28,350,000	100.0%
Feb 2, 1950	The Third Man		13	$1,034,144	$1,574,912	65.7%
Apr 7, 1944	Jane Eyre
May 1, 1941	Citizen Kane		20	$1,000,000	$1,056,361	94.7%

Averages		$18,958	12	$7,627,717	$7,776,999	90.1%
Totals	7			$30,510,868	$31,107,997

Supporting Roles

Release Date	Title	Opening Weekend	Maximum Theaters	Domestic Box Office	Worldwide Box Office	Domestic Share
Apr 28, 1967	Casino Royale			$22,744,718	$41,744,718	54.5%
Feb 20, 1963	Le procès		5	$93,533	$93,686	99.8%

Averages		n/a	5	$11,419,126	$20,919,202	77.2%
Totals	2			$22,838,251	$41,838,404

Latest Ranking on All Acting Box Office Record Lists

Record	Rank	Amount
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 2,901-3,000)	2,918	$30,510,868
Top 100 Stars in Supporting Roles at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 43,301-43,400)	43,369	$22,838,251
Top Live Action Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 15,801-15,900)	15,852	$111,763,623
Top Above the Line Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 2,901-3,000)	2,996	$130,021,647
Top Stars in Cameo Roles at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 601-700)	633	$76,657,000
Top Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 7,901-8,000)	7,981	$234,575,975
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the International Box Office (Rank 5,701-5,800)	5,789	$597,129
Top 100 Stars in Supporting Roles at the International Box Office (Rank 39,401-39,500)	39,457	$19,000,153
Top Live Action Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 38,601-38,700)	38,686	$19,635,831
Top Above the Line Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 6,501-6,600)	6,529	$19,602,259
Top Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 41,401-41,500)	41,453	$19,635,831
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 3,801-3,900)	3,823	$31,107,997
Top 100 Stars in Supporting Roles at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 42,801-42,900)	42,833	$41,838,404
Top Live Action Stars at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 25,301-25,400)	25,330	$131,399,454
Top Above the Line Stars at the Wordwide Box Office (Rank 4,101-4,200)	4,110	$149,623,906
Top Stars in Cameo Roles at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 801-900)	853	$76,657,000
Top Stars at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 16,601-16,700)	16,660	$254,211,806
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 3,801-3,900)	3,869	$1,000,000
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 1,601-1,700)	1,657	$1,034,144
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Based on Play Movies (Rank 101-200)	103	$28,476,724
Top International Leading Stars for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 5,201-5,300)	5,290	$56,361
Top International Leading Stars for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 1,401-1,500)	1,482	$540,768
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 5,001-5,100)	5,024	$1,056,361
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 1,801-1,900)	1,874	$1,574,912
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Based on Play Movies (Rank 101-200)	132	$28,476,724
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Live Action Movies (Rank 2,401-2,500)	2,492	$30,510,868
Top International Leading Stars for Live Action Movies (Rank 5,101-5,200)	5,165	$597,129
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Live Action Movies (Rank 3,201-3,300)	3,289	$31,107,997
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 3,201-3,300)	3,290	$2,034,144
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Historical Fiction Movies (Rank 1,601-1,700)	1,661	$126,724
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Dramatization Movies (Rank 301-400)	354	$28,350,000
Top International Leading Stars for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 3,701-3,800)	3,705	$597,129
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 4,101-4,200)	4,143	$2,631,273
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Historical Fiction Movies (Rank 1,901-2,000)	1,967	$126,724
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Dramatization Movies (Rank 401-500)	464	$28,350,000
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Comedy Movies (Rank 2,201-2,300)	2,280	$126,724
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Drama Movies (Rank 701-800)	719	$29,350,000
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Thriller/Suspense Movies (Rank 801-900)	840	$1,034,144
Top International Leading Stars for Drama Movies (Rank 3,001-3,100)	3,027	$56,361
Top International Leading Stars for Thriller/Suspense Movies (Rank 901-1,000)	944	$540,768
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Comedy Movies (Rank 2,701-2,800)	2,732	$126,724
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Drama Movies (Rank 1,001-1,100)	1,074	$29,406,361
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Thriller/Suspense Movies (Rank 1,001-1,100)	1,040	$1,574,912
Top Domestic Leading Stars for PG Movies (Rank 1,701-1,800)	1,799	$1,000,000
Top Domestic Leading Stars for G Movies (Rank 201-300)	229	$28,350,000
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Not Rated Movies (Rank 401-500)	425	$1,160,868
Top International Leading Stars for PG Movies (Rank 1,601-1,700)	1,619	$56,361
Top International Leading Stars for Not Rated Movies (Rank 1,201-1,300)	1,212	$540,768
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for PG Movies (Rank 1,901-2,000)	1,943	$1,056,361
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for G Movies (Rank 201-300)	254	$28,350,000
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Not Rated Movies (Rank 1,101-1,200)	1,136	$1,701,636
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Sony Pictures Movies (Rank 601-700)	618	$28,350,000
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Sony Pictures Movies (Rank 701-800)	701	$28,350,000

All Technical Credits

Release Date	Title	Role	Domestic Box Office	International Box Office	Worldwide Box Office
Nov 2, 2018	The Other Side of the Wind	Director Screenwriter Editor
Jan 1, 2016	Campanadas a medianoche	Director Screenwriter Production Designer	$126,724		$126,724
Mar 17, 2015	The Lady from Shanghai	Director
1976	Verites et mensonges	Director Screenwriter
Unknown	Hopper/Welles	Director
Feb 20, 1963	Le procès	Director Screenwriter	$93,533	$153	$93,686
May 21, 1958	Touch of Evil	Director	$2,237,659	$21,681	$2,259,340
Sep 12, 1955	Othello	Director
Feb 12, 1943	Journey Into Fear	Director
Jul 9, 1942	The Magnificent Ambersons	Director
May 1, 1941	Citizen Kane	Director	$1,000,000	$56,361	$1,056,361

Averages			$864,479	$26,065	$884,028
Totals	11		$3,457,916	$78,195	$3,536,111

Director Credits

Release Date	Title	Opening Weekend	Maximum Theaters	Domestic Box Office	Worldwide Box Office	Domestic Share
Nov 2, 2018	The Other Side of the …
Jan 1, 2016	Campanadas a medianoche	$18,958	4	$126,724	$126,724	100.0%
Mar 17, 2015	The Lady from Shanghai
1976	Verites et mensonges
Unknown	Hopper/Welles
Feb 20, 1963	Le procès		5	$93,533	$93,686	99.8%
May 21, 1958	Touch of Evil		45	$2,237,659	$2,259,340	99.0%
Sep 12, 1955	Othello
Feb 12, 1943	Journey Into Fear
Jul 9, 1942	The Magnificent Ambersons
May 1, 1941	Citizen Kane		20	$1,000,000	$1,056,361	94.7%

Averages		$18,958	19	$864,479	$884,028	98.4%
Totals	11			$3,457,916	$3,536,111

Writer Credits

Release Date	Title	Opening Weekend	Maximum Theaters	Domestic Box Office	Worldwide Box Office	Domestic Share
Nov 2, 2018	The Other Side of the …
Jan 1, 2016	Campanadas a medianoche	$18,958	4	$126,724	$126,724	100.0%
1976	Verites et mensonges
Feb 20, 1963	Le procès		5	$93,533	$93,686	99.8%

Averages		$18,958	5	$110,129	$110,205	99.9%
Totals	4			$220,257	$220,410

Latest Ranking on All Technical Box Office Record Lists

Record	Rank	Amount
Top Grossing Director at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 2,801-2,900)	2,840	$3,457,916
Top Grossing Production Designer at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,401-1,500)	1,427	$126,724
Top Grossing Screenwriter at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 6,801-6,900)	6,894	$220,257
Top Grossing Director at the International Box Office (Rank 10,101-10,200)	10,103	$78,195
Top Grossing Screenwriter at the International Box Office (Rank 8,901-9,000)	8,999	$153
Top Grossing Director at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 4,901-5,000)	4,930	$3,536,111
Top Grossing Production Designer at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 1,801-1,900)	1,853	$126,724
Top Grossing Screenwriter at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 8,801-8,900)	8,846	$220,410