Portrait of Joel McCrea

Joel McCrea

Bio: Joel Albert McCrea (November 5, 1905 – October 20, 1990) was an American actor whose career spanned a wide variety of genres over almost five decades, including comedy, drama, romance, thrillers, adventures, and Westerns, for which he became best known. He appeared in over one hundred films, starring in over eighty, among them Alfred Hitchcock's espionage thriller Foreign Correspondent (1940), Preston Sturges' comedy classics Sullivan's Travels (1941), and The Palm Beach Story (1942), the romance film Bird of Paradise (1932), the adventure classic The Most Dangerous Game (1932), Gregory La Cava's bawdy comedy Bed of Roses (1933), George Stevens' romantic comedy The More the Merrier (1943), William Wyler's These Three, Come and Get It (both 1936) and Dead End (1937), Howard Hawks' Barbary Coast (1935), and a number of western films, including Wichita (1955) as Wyatt Earp and Sam Peckinpah's Ride the High Country (1962), opposite Randolph Scott
Born: Sun, Nov 05 1905
Birthplace: South Pasadena, California, USA

Death: Sat, Oct 20 1990
Joel McCrea is 84 years old
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Movies (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Poster of Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood
Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood
Joel McCrea would have been no older than 84 in Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood as 'John Neville Jr. (archive footage)'.
Movie Released: Mon, Mar 03 2008
Poster of Sam Peckinpah's West: Legacy of a Hollywood Renegade
Sam Peckinpah's West: Legacy of a Hollywood Renegade
Joel McCrea would have been no older than 84 in Sam Peckinpah's West: Legacy of a Hollywood Renegade as 'Self (archive footage)'.
Movie Released: Sun, Jul 25 2004
Poster of Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down The Line
Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down The Line
Joel McCrea would have been no older than 84 in Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down The Line as 'Self (archive footage)'.
Movie Released: Mon, May 12 1997
Poster of George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey
George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey
Joel McCrea was 79 in George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey as 'Self'.
Movie Released: Sun, Mar 03 1985
Poster of Night of 100 Stars
Night of 100 Stars
Joel McCrea was 76 in Night of 100 Stars as 'Self'.
Movie Released: Mon, Mar 08 1982
Poster of Mustang Country
Mustang Country
Joel McCrea was 70 in Mustang Country as 'Dan'.
Movie Released: Mon, Mar 29 1976
Poster of The Great American Cowboy
The Great American Cowboy
Joel McCrea was 68 in The Great American Cowboy as 'Narrator'.
Movie Released: Sat, Dec 01 1973
Poster of Cry Blood Apache
Cry Blood Apache
Joel McCrea was 64 in Cry Blood Apache as 'Pitcalin as an Older Man'.
Movie Released: Tue, Sep 01 1970
Poster of Sioux Nation
Sioux Nation
Joel McCrea was 64 in Sioux Nation
Movie Released: Thu, Jan 01 1970
Poster of The Young Rounders
The Young Rounders
Joel McCrea was 60 in The Young Rounders
Movie Released: Sat, Jan 01 1966
Poster of Ride the High Country
Ride the High Country
Joel McCrea was 56 in Ride the High Country as 'Steve Judd'.
Movie Released: Wed, Jun 20 1962
Poster of Hollywood: The Selznick Years
Hollywood: The Selznick Years
Joel McCrea was 56 in Hollywood: The Selznick Years as ''Bird of Paradise' (archive footage) (uncredited)'.
Movie Released: Sun, Dec 31 1961
Poster of The Crowning Experience
The Crowning Experience
Joel McCrea was 54 in The Crowning Experience as 'Prologue Narrator'.
Movie Released: Sat, Oct 22 1960
Poster of The Gunfight at Dodge City
The Gunfight at Dodge City
Joel McCrea was 53 in The Gunfight at Dodge City as 'Bat Masterson'.
Movie Released: Fri, May 01 1959
Poster of Fort Massacre
Fort Massacre
Joel McCrea was 52 in Fort Massacre as 'Vinson'.
Movie Released: Wed, May 14 1958
Poster of Cattle Empire
Cattle Empire
Joel McCrea was 52 in Cattle Empire as 'John Cord'.
Movie Released: Tue, Apr 01 1958
Poster of The Tall Stranger
The Tall Stranger
Joel McCrea was 52 in The Tall Stranger as 'Ned Bannon'.
Movie Released: Sun, Nov 17 1957
Poster of Gunsight Ridge
Gunsight Ridge
Joel McCrea was 51 in Gunsight Ridge as 'Mike Ryan'.
Movie Released: Sun, Sep 01 1957
Poster of Trooper Hook
Trooper Hook
Joel McCrea was 51 in Trooper Hook as 'Sgt. Clovis Hook'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jul 12 1957
Poster of The Oklahoman
The Oklahoman
Joel McCrea was 51 in The Oklahoman as 'John'.
Movie Released: Sun, May 19 1957
Poster of The First Texan
The First Texan
Joel McCrea was 50 in The First Texan as 'Sam Houston'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jun 29 1956
Poster of Wichita
Wichita
Joel McCrea was 49 in Wichita as 'Wyatt Earp'.
Movie Released: Sun, Jul 03 1955
Poster of Stranger on Horseback
Stranger on Horseback
Joel McCrea was 49 in Stranger on Horseback as 'Judge Richard 'Rick' Thorne'.
Movie Released: Tue, Mar 22 1955
Poster of Black Horse Canyon
Black Horse Canyon
Joel McCrea was 48 in Black Horse Canyon as 'Del Rockwell'.
Movie Released: Tue, Jun 01 1954
Poster of Border River
Border River
Joel McCrea was 48 in Border River as 'Clete Mattson'.
Movie Released: Wed, Jan 06 1954
Poster of The Lone Hand
The Lone Hand
Joel McCrea was 47 in The Lone Hand as 'Zachary Hallock'.
Movie Released: Wed, May 20 1953
Poster of Rough Shoot
Rough Shoot
Joel McCrea was 47 in Rough Shoot as 'Lt. Col. Robert Taine'.
Movie Released: Mon, Mar 30 1953
Poster of The San Francisco Story
The San Francisco Story
Joel McCrea was 46 in The San Francisco Story as 'Rick Nelson'.
Movie Released: Sun, May 11 1952
Poster of Cattle Drive
Cattle Drive
Joel McCrea was 45 in Cattle Drive as 'Dan Mathews'.
Movie Released: Wed, Aug 01 1951
Poster of Hollywood Story
Hollywood Story
Joel McCrea was 45 in Hollywood Story as 'Joel McCrea'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jun 01 1951
Poster of Frenchie
Frenchie
Joel McCrea was 45 in Frenchie as 'Sheriff Tom Banning'.
Movie Released: Mon, Dec 25 1950
Poster of Saddle Tramp
Saddle Tramp
Joel McCrea was 44 in Saddle Tramp as 'Chuck Conner'.
Movie Released: Thu, Sep 21 1950
Poster of Stars in My Crown
Stars in My Crown
Joel McCrea was 44 in Stars in My Crown as 'Josiah Doziah Gray'.
Movie Released: Thu, May 11 1950
Poster of The Outriders
The Outriders
Joel McCrea was 44 in The Outriders as 'Will Owen'.
Movie Released: Wed, Mar 01 1950
Poster of Colorado Territory
Colorado Territory
Joel McCrea was 43 in Colorado Territory as 'Wes McQueen'.
Movie Released: Sat, Jun 11 1949
Poster of South of St. Louis
South of St. Louis
Joel McCrea was 43 in South of St. Louis as 'Kip Davis'.
Movie Released: Sun, Mar 06 1949
Poster of Four Faces West
Four Faces West
Joel McCrea was 42 in Four Faces West as 'Ross McEwen'.
Movie Released: Tue, Aug 03 1948
Poster of Ramrod
Ramrod
Joel McCrea was 41 in Ramrod as 'Dave Nash'.
Movie Released: Fri, May 02 1947
Poster of The Virginian
The Virginian
Joel McCrea was 40 in The Virginian as 'The Virginian'.
Movie Released: Sun, May 05 1946
Poster of The Unseen
The Unseen
Joel McCrea was 39 in The Unseen as 'David Fielding'.
Movie Released: Sat, May 12 1945
Poster of The Great Moment
The Great Moment
Joel McCrea was 38 in The Great Moment as 'William Thomas Green Morton'.
Movie Released: Tue, Jul 18 1944
Poster of Buffalo Bill
Buffalo Bill
Joel McCrea was 38 in Buffalo Bill as 'William Frederick 'Buffalo Bill' Cody'.
Movie Released: Sun, Apr 02 1944
Poster of The More the Merrier
The More the Merrier
Joel McCrea was 37 in The More the Merrier as 'Joe Carter'.
Movie Released: Thu, May 13 1943
Poster of Stars on Horseback
Stars on Horseback
Joel McCrea was 37 in Stars on Horseback
Movie Released: Fri, Apr 23 1943
Poster of The Palm Beach Story
The Palm Beach Story
Joel McCrea was 36 in The Palm Beach Story as 'Tom Jeffers'.
Movie Released: Fri, Aug 28 1942
Poster of Sullivan's Travels
Sullivan's Travels
Joel McCrea was 36 in Sullivan's Travels as 'John Sullivan'.
Movie Released: Sun, Nov 30 1941
Poster of The Great Man's Lady
The Great Man's Lady
Joel McCrea was 35 in The Great Man's Lady as 'Mr. Sempler'.
Movie Released: Fri, Oct 31 1941
Poster of Reaching for the Sun
Reaching for the Sun
Joel McCrea was 35 in Reaching for the Sun as 'Russ Eliot'.
Movie Released: Thu, May 01 1941
Poster of Breakdowns of 1940
Breakdowns of 1940
Joel McCrea was 35 in Breakdowns of 1940 as 'Self'.
Movie Released: Tue, Dec 31 1940
Poster of Foreign Correspondent
Foreign Correspondent
Joel McCrea was 34 in Foreign Correspondent as 'John Jones'.
Movie Released: Fri, Aug 16 1940
Poster of Primrose Path
Primrose Path
Joel McCrea was 34 in Primrose Path as 'Ed Wallace'.
Movie Released: Fri, Mar 22 1940
Poster of He Married His Wife
He Married His Wife
Joel McCrea was 34 in He Married His Wife as 'T.H. Randall'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jan 19 1940
Poster of Espionage Agent
Espionage Agent
Joel McCrea was 33 in Espionage Agent as 'Barry Corvall'.
Movie Released: Sat, Sep 30 1939
Poster of They Shall Have Music
They Shall Have Music
Joel McCrea was 33 in They Shall Have Music as 'Peter McCarthy'.
Movie Released: Fri, Aug 18 1939
Poster of Union Pacific
Union Pacific
Joel McCrea was 33 in Union Pacific as 'Jeff Butler'.
Movie Released: Fri, May 05 1939
Poster of Youth Takes a Fling
Youth Takes a Fling
Joel McCrea was 32 in Youth Takes a Fling as 'Joe Meadows'.
Movie Released: Thu, Sep 22 1938
Poster of Three Blind Mice
Three Blind Mice
Joel McCrea was 32 in Three Blind Mice as 'Van Dam Smith'.
Movie Released: Sat, Jun 18 1938
Poster of Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo
Joel McCrea was 32 in Wells Fargo as 'Ramsay MacKay'.
Movie Released: Fri, Dec 31 1937
Poster of Dead End
Dead End
Joel McCrea was 31 in Dead End as 'Dave'.
Movie Released: Fri, Aug 27 1937
Poster of Woman Chases Man
Woman Chases Man
Joel McCrea was 31 in Woman Chases Man as 'Kenneth Nolan'.
Movie Released: Fri, May 07 1937
Poster of Internes Can't Take Money
Internes Can't Take Money
Joel McCrea was 31 in Internes Can't Take Money as 'Jimmie Kildare'.
Movie Released: Fri, Apr 16 1937
Poster of Banjo on My Knee
Banjo on My Knee
Joel McCrea was 31 in Banjo on My Knee as 'Ernie Holley'.
Movie Released: Fri, Dec 11 1936
Poster of Come and Get It
Come and Get It
Joel McCrea was 31 in Come and Get It as 'Richard Glasgow'.
Movie Released: Fri, Nov 06 1936
Poster of Adventure in Manhattan
Adventure in Manhattan
Joel McCrea was 30 in Adventure in Manhattan as 'George Melville'.
Movie Released: Thu, Oct 08 1936
Poster of Two in a Crowd
Two in a Crowd
Joel McCrea was 30 in Two in a Crowd as 'Larry Stevens'.
Movie Released: Sat, Oct 03 1936
Poster of These Three
These Three
Joel McCrea was 30 in These Three as 'Dr. Joseph 'Joe' Cardin'.
Movie Released: Wed, Mar 18 1936
Poster of Splendor
Splendor
Joel McCrea was 30 in Splendor as 'Brighton Lorrimore'.
Movie Released: Fri, Nov 22 1935
Poster of Barbary Coast
Barbary Coast
Joel McCrea was 29 in Barbary Coast as 'Jim Carmichael'.
Movie Released: Sun, Oct 13 1935
Poster of Woman Wanted
Woman Wanted
Joel McCrea was 29 in Woman Wanted as 'Tony'.
Movie Released: Fri, Aug 02 1935
Poster of Private Worlds
Private Worlds
Joel McCrea was 29 in Private Worlds as 'Dr. Alex MacGregor'.
Movie Released: Fri, Apr 19 1935
Poster of Our Little Girl
Our Little Girl
Joel McCrea was 29 in Our Little Girl as 'Donald Middleton'.
Movie Released: Tue, Jan 01 1935
Poster of The Richest Girl in the World
The Richest Girl in the World
Joel McCrea was 28 in The Richest Girl in the World as 'Anthony Travers'.
Movie Released: Fri, Sep 21 1934
Poster of Half a Sinner
Half a Sinner
Joel McCrea was 28 in Half a Sinner as 'John Adams'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jun 01 1934
Poster of Gambling Lady
Gambling Lady
Joel McCrea was 28 in Gambling Lady as 'Garry Madison'.
Movie Released: Thu, Mar 08 1934
Poster of Chance at Heaven
Chance at Heaven
Joel McCrea was 27 in Chance at Heaven as 'Blacky Gorman'.
Movie Released: Fri, Oct 27 1933
Poster of One Man's Journey
One Man's Journey
Joel McCrea was 27 in One Man's Journey as 'Jimmy Watt'.
Movie Released: Thu, Aug 31 1933
Poster of Bed of Roses
Bed of Roses
Joel McCrea was 27 in Bed of Roses as 'Dan'.
Movie Released: Thu, Jun 29 1933
Poster of The Silver Cord
The Silver Cord
Joel McCrea was 27 in The Silver Cord as 'David Phelps'.
Movie Released: Fri, May 05 1933
Poster of Scarlet River
Scarlet River
Joel McCrea was 27 in Scarlet River as 'Himself (uncredited)'.
Movie Released: Fri, Mar 10 1933
Poster of Rockabye
Rockabye
Joel McCrea was 27 in Rockabye as 'Jacobs 'Jake' Van Riker Pell'.
Movie Released: Fri, Nov 25 1932
Poster of The Sport Parade
The Sport Parade
Joel McCrea was 27 in The Sport Parade as 'Sandy Brown'.
Movie Released: Fri, Nov 11 1932
Poster of The Most Dangerous Game
The Most Dangerous Game
Joel McCrea was 26 in The Most Dangerous Game as 'Robert Rainsford'.
Movie Released: Fri, Sep 16 1932
Poster of Bird of Paradise
Bird of Paradise
Joel McCrea was 26 in Bird of Paradise as 'Johnny Baker'.
Movie Released: Fri, Aug 12 1932
Poster of The Lost Squadron
The Lost Squadron
Joel McCrea was 26 in The Lost Squadron as 'Red'.
Movie Released: Sat, Mar 12 1932
Poster of Business and Pleasure
Business and Pleasure
Joel McCrea was 26 in Business and Pleasure as 'Lawrence Ogle'.
Movie Released: Wed, Feb 24 1932
Poster of Girls About Town
Girls About Town
Joel McCrea was 26 in Girls About Town as 'Jim Baker'.
Movie Released: Sat, Nov 07 1931
Poster of The Common Law
The Common Law
Joel McCrea was 25 in The Common Law as 'John 'Jack' Neville'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jul 17 1931
Poster of Born to Love
Born to Love
Joel McCrea was 25 in Born to Love as 'Barry Craig'.
Movie Released: Fri, Apr 17 1931
Poster of Kept Husbands
Kept Husbands
Joel McCrea was 25 in Kept Husbands as 'Richard Brunton'.
Movie Released: Sun, Feb 22 1931
Poster of Once a Sinner
Once a Sinner
Joel McCrea was 25 in Once a Sinner as 'Tommy Mason'.
Movie Released: Sun, Jan 25 1931
Poster of Lightnin'
Lightnin'
Joel McCrea was 25 in Lightnin' as 'John Marvin'.
Movie Released: Fri, Nov 28 1930
Poster of The Silver Horde
The Silver Horde
Joel McCrea was 24 in The Silver Horde as 'Boyd Emerson'.
Movie Released: Fri, Oct 24 1930
Poster of Dynamite
Dynamite
Joel McCrea was 24 in Dynamite as 'Marco'.
Movie Released: Fri, Dec 13 1929
Poster of So This Is College
So This Is College
Joel McCrea was 24 in So This Is College as 'Bruce Nolan (uncredited)'.
Movie Released: Fri, Nov 08 1929
Poster of The Single Standard
The Single Standard
Joel McCrea was 23 in The Single Standard as 'Party Guest (uncredited)'.
Movie Released: Sat, Jul 27 1929
Poster of The Divine Lady
The Divine Lady
Joel McCrea was 23 in The Divine Lady as 'Extra (uncredited)'.
Movie Released: Wed, Dec 26 1928
Poster of Dead Man's Curve
Dead Man's Curve
Joel McCrea was 22 in Dead Man's Curve as 'Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)'.
Movie Released: Sun, Jan 15 1928
Poster of The Enemy
The Enemy
Joel McCrea was 22 in The Enemy as 'Extra (uncredited)'.
Movie Released: Thu, Dec 08 1927
Poster of The Fair Co-Ed
The Fair Co-Ed
Joel McCrea was 21 in The Fair Co-Ed
Movie Released: Sat, Oct 22 1927

TV Shows (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Ages in TV shows are based off the first air date and may not be accurate. View individual episode details for accurate ages
Poster of Wichita Town
Wichita Town
Joel McCrea was 53+ in Wichita Town as 'Marshal Mike Dunbar'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Wed, Sep 30 1959
Poster of The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show
Joel McCrea was 42+ in The Ed Sullivan Show as 'Self'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Jun 20 1948