---
name: "Candice Bergen"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/candice-bergen"
fi1m_id: "candice-bergen"
imdb_id: "nm0000298"
tmdb_id: 11850
wikidata_id: "Q106942"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "9 May 1946"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 8
average_fi1m_score: 69
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 7
updated: "2026-10-05T05:30:06.786452+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Candice Bergen

## Identity

Candice Bergen

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/candice-bergen
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** candice-bergen
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000298
- **TMDB ID:** 11850
- **Wikidata ID:** Q106942
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candice_Bergen, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106942, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000298/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11850

Actor. Born 9 May 1946 in Beverly Hills, California, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 9 May 1946, Beverly Hills, California, USA
- **Active:** 1966–present
- **Also known as:** Candice Patricia Bergen, Candy Bergen, Olga Mallsnerd
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 8: 7 acting, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Michael Patrick King](https://film.one/person/michael-patrick-king.md), [Richard Attenborough](https://film.one/person/richard-attenborough.md), [Scott Kaufer](https://film.one/person/scott-kaufer.md), [William Shatner](https://film.one/person/william-shatner.md)
- **Golden Globes:** 2 Golden Globes (2 won · 2 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 69, as actor, over 7 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 66 (1), 1980s 75 (2), 2000s 67 (3), 2020s 61 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 65 to 58 across 4 titles
- **Score spread:** 0 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 7 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 5, Drama 5, Action 1, Crime 1, History 1, Romance 1
- **Screen time:** 13 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $729m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candice_Bergen, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106942, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000298/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11850

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*Miss Congeniality*](https://film.one/film/miss-congeniality.md) (70), [*Let Them All Talk*](https://film.one/film/let-them-all-talk.md) (64)
- **Tubi:** [*Murphy Brown*](https://film.one/tv/murphy-brown.md) (77)
- **Disney+:** [*Boston Legal*](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md) (76)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Gandhi*](https://film.one/film/gandhi.md) (73)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Candice Bergen

> Candice Bergen makes sharp-tongued women funny without asking us to forgive them. We rate her most highly when she has something specific to be cross about: her timing makes the complaint worth hearing, even when the film is slight.

In *Let Them All Talk* (2020), Candice Bergen's Roberta scans the ship's bar for a wealthy man. She has come aboard with a grievance against Alice, whose novel she believes has made use of her life without giving anything back. Bergen lets her be sour and calculating, with no apology tucked into the comedy. We laughed at her appraisal of the grey heads at the bar because she makes the search so frank and practical. Her determination keeps these scenes moving.

That comic assurance took time to emerge. From her screen debut in *The Group* (1966), Bergen was often treated as an icy presence, and the early dramatic performances could be stiff. *Starting Over* (1979), in which she plays Jessica Potter, brought her comic timing into clearer view. The lead in *Murphy Brown* (1988–1998) made that timing central to her reputation. The useful change was finding parts in which a sharp tongue could do more of the work.

Film has not always given her as much to do. In Richard Attenborough's *Gandhi* (1982), she plays Margaret Bourke-White, but our recommendation rests on Ben Kingsley, with patience needed for the thin supporting roles. Steven Soderbergh's *Let Them All Talk* allows room for improvisation, with only a sketch of a script. The conversations are often good, but the film is slight. Bergen's sour humour is the strongest reason to stay with it, though even she cannot supply everything the script lacks.

The risk with an actor so useful in an ensemble is that a cutting remark becomes her entire job. We want more for Bergen than another supporting part requiring someone authoritative to put everyone else in their place. Roberta works because the resentment has a cause and the search for money gives her something to do. We would happily spend longer with her, though Soderbergh's film does not always reward the same attention. See it for Bergen; do not expect her to fix the whole film.

## Biography

Candice Bergen is an American actress. Born in Beverly Hills, California, she began her career as a fashion model, appearing on the cover of Vogue, before making her screen debut in the 1966 film *The Group*. She went on to appear in films including *The Sand Pebbles* (1966), *Carnal Knowledge* (1971), *The Wind and the Lion* (1975), *Starting Over* (1979), and *Gandhi* (1982).

Bergen is best known for her title role in the CBS sitcom *Murphy Brown* (1988–1998, 2018), for which she won five Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. She later played Shirley Schmidt in the ABC series *Boston Legal* (2005–2008). Her other television appearances include guest roles in *Sex and the City* and voice work in *Family Guy* and *BoJack Horseman*.

In film, she has appeared in *Miss Congeniality* (2000), *Sweet Home Alabama* (2002), *Bride Wars* (2009), *Book Club* (2018), and *Let Them All Talk* (2020), in which she played Roberta.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, biography.com, britannica.com.*

## On Fi1m (8)

### Performed in (7) — the average rests on these

- *Let Them All Talk* (2020), Fi1m 64, as Roberta — [page](https://film.one/film/let-them-all-talk.md)
- *Sex and the City* (2008), Fi1m 54, as Enid Frick — [page](https://film.one/film/sex-and-the-city.md)
- *Boston Legal* (2004), Fi1m 76, as Shirley Schmidt — [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md)
- *Miss Congeniality* (2000), Fi1m 70, as Kathy Morningside — [page](https://film.one/film/miss-congeniality.md)
- *Murphy Brown* (1988), Fi1m 77, as Murphy Brown — [page](https://film.one/tv/murphy-brown.md)
- *Gandhi* (1982), Fi1m 73, as Margaret Bourke-White — [page](https://film.one/film/gandhi.md)
- *The Sand Pebbles* (1966), Fi1m 66, as Shirley Eckert — [page](https://film.one/film/the-sand-pebbles.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Lorne* (2026), Fi1m 58, as Self — [page](https://film.one/film/lorne.md)

## Complete filmography (71)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Book Club: The Next Chapter* (2023), as Sharon
- *Shrinking* (2023), series, as Constance — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/tv/shrinking.md)
- *As They Made Us* (2022), as Barbara
- *And Just Like That…* (2021), series, as Enid Frick
- *Show of Titles* (2021), as "There's No Business Like Show Business" Performer
- *Let Them All Talk* (2020), as Roberta — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/let-them-all-talk.md)
- *The Conners* (2018), series, as Barb
- *Murphy Brown* (2018), series, as Murphy Brown · Executive Producer
- *Book Club* (2018), as Sharon
- *The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)* (2017), as Julia Meyerowitz
- *Home Again* (2017), as Lillian Stewart
- *Rules Don't Apply* (2016), as Nadine Henly
- *Beautiful & Twisted* (2015), as Bernice
- *Battle Creek* (2015), series, as Constance (Russ' mom)
- *A Merry Friggin' Christmas* (2014), as Donna Mitchler
- *BoJack Horseman* (2014), series, as The Closer (voice) — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/bojack-horseman.md)
- *The Michael J. Fox Show* (2013), series, as Beth Henry
- *Inequality for All* (2013), as Murphy Brown (archive footage)
- *Elusive Justice* (2011), as Narrator
- *The Women of SNL* (2010), as Fern (archive footage)
- *The Romantics* (2010), as Augusta Hayes
- *SNL Presents: A Very Gilly Christmas* (2009), as (archive footage)
- *Bride Wars* (2009), as Marion St. Claire
- *The Women* (2008), as Catherine Frazier
- *Sex and the City* (2008), as Enid Frick — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/sex-and-the-city.md)
- *Law & Order: Trial by Jury* (2005), series, as Amanda Anderlee
- *House* (2004), series, as Arlene Cuddy — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/house-2004.md)
- *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as Shirley Schmidt — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md)
- *Footsteps* (2003), as Daisy Lowendahl
- *The In-Laws* (2003), as Judy Tobias
- *View from the Top* (2003), as Sally Weston
- *Sweet Home Alabama* (2002), as Mayor Kate Hennings
- *Miss Congeniality* (2000), as Kathy Morningside — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/miss-congeniality.md)
- *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Murphy Brown (voice), Gloria Ironbox (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md)
- *Will & Grace* (1998), series, as Candice Bergen
- *Sex and the City* (1998), series, as Enid Mead, Enid Frick
- *Saturday Night Live: The Best of Phil Hartman* (1998), as Anne Boleyn
- *Mary & Tim* (1996), as Mary Horton
- *Understanding the Universe* (1993), as Narrator
- *Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories* (1992), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Judge Amanda Anderlee — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *The Earth Day Special* (1990), as Murphy Brown
- *Seinfeld* (1989), series, as Murphy Brown — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/seinfeld.md)
- *Murphy Brown* (1988), series, as Murphy Brown · Co-Executive Producer — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/murphy-brown.md)
- *Mayflower Madam* (1987), as Sydney Biddle Barrows
- *Murder: By Reason of Insanity* (1985), as Ewa Berwid
- *Stick* (1985), as Kyle
- *Arthur the King* (1985), as Morgan Le Fay
- *Hollywood Wives* (1985), series, as Elaine Conti
- *2010* (1984), as SAL 9000 (voice)
- *Gandhi* (1982), as Margaret Bourke-White — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/gandhi.md)
- *Rich and Famous* (1981), as Merry Noel Blake
- *Starting Over* (1979), as Jessica Potter
- *Oliver's Story* (1978), as Marcie Bonwit
- *A Night Full of Rain* (1978), as Lizzy
- *The Domino Principle* (1977), as Ellie
- *Bite the Bullet* (1975), as Miss Jones
- *The Wind and the Lion* (1975), as Eden Pedecaris
- *11 Harrowhouse* (1974), as Maren Shirell
- *T.R. Baskin* (1971), as T. R. Baskin
- *The Hunting Party* (1971), as Melissa Ruger
- *Carnal Knowledge* (1971), as Susan
- *Soldier Blue* (1970), as Kathy Maribel Lee, 'Cresta'
- *Getting Straight* (1970), as Jan
- *The Adventurers* (1970), as Sue Ann Daley
- *The Magus* (1968), as Lily
- *The Day the Fish Came Out* (1967), as Electra Brown
- *Live for Life* (1967), as Candice
- *The Sand Pebbles* (1966), as Shirley Eckert — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/the-sand-pebbles.md)
- *The Group* (1966), as Lakey
- *Harvest Moon*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Candice Bergen](https://film.one/media/person/9266/gallery-42f3bc03f9e5.jpg) Candice Bergen — PhilipRomanoPhoto, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/CandiceBergen-byPhilipRomano.jpg/1280px-CandiceBergen-byPhilipRomano.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![1988 Academy Awards NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can. Thanks. S](https://film.one/media/person/9266/gallery-2b9eaa59852b.jpg) 1988 Academy Awards NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can. Thanks. S — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Alan%2C_Rick%2C_Todd%2C_Candice_Bergen_%282085952507%29.jpg/1280px-Alan%2C_Rick%2C_Todd%2C_Candice_Bergen_%282085952507%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![1990 Emmy Awards NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can. Thanks. Scan](https://film.one/media/person/9266/gallery-498dd14cb148.jpg) 1990 Emmy Awards NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can. Thanks. Scan — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Bruce_and_Candice_Bergen_%282082196408%29.jpg/1280px-Bruce_and_Candice_Bergen_%282082196408%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![From Wash D.C. Jan 20, 1997 Clinton 2nd inaugural © copyright John Mathew Smith 2001](https://film.one/media/person/9266/gallery-b0cf436b5d7d.jpg) From Wash D.C. Jan 20, 1997 Clinton 2nd inaugural © copyright John Mathew Smith 2001 — Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel  Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/Candace_Bergen_in_1996.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Candice Bergen](https://film.one/media/person/9266/gallery-5bd8e3b969ae.jpg) Candice Bergen — Image via TMDB
- ![Candice Bergen](https://film.one/media/person/9266/gallery-71a1b1f98ce5.jpg) Candice Bergen — Image via TMDB
- ![Candice Bergen](https://film.one/media/person/9266/gallery-35ea23dc5472.jpg) Candice Bergen — Image via TMDB
- ![42nd Emmy Awards - Sept. 1990- Permission granted to copy, publish or post but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can](https://film.one/media/person/9266/gallery-51318b768ee4.jpg) 42nd Emmy Awards - Sept. 1990- Permission granted to copy, publish or post but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/Candice_Bergen_%26_Delta_Burke_%28210416738%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Candice Bergen and Joe Regalbuto at the Governor's Ball following the 41st Annual Emmy Awards, 9/17/89 - Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post  (1989)](https://film.one/media/person/9266/gallery-9adaf6b12852.jpg) Candice Bergen and Joe Regalbuto at the Governor's Ball following the 41st Annual Emmy Awards, 9/17/89 - Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post  (1989) — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/Candice_Bergen_%26_Joe_Regalbuto_%28255142186%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Candice Bergen](https://film.one/media/person/9266/gallery-3ddd4cba7f3b.jpg) Candice Bergen — Image via TMDB
- ![Candice Bergen](https://film.one/media/person/9266/gallery-4c20e8e955b0.jpg) Candice Bergen — Image via TMDB
- ![Candice Bergen](https://film.one/media/person/9266/gallery-eec65699cc6e.jpg) Candice Bergen — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 1980: Best Supporting Actress (nominated), for *Starting Over*

### BAFTA Film Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 1983: Best Actress in a Supporting Role (nominated), for *Gandhi*

### Golden Globes — 2 won, 2 nominated

- 1992: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (won), for *Murphy Brown*
- 1989: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (won), for *Murphy Brown*
- 1979: Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture (nominated), for *Starting Over*
- 1966: New Star of the Year – Actress (nominated), for *The Sand Pebbles*

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 5 won, 4 nominated

- 2008: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (nominated), for *Boston Legal*
- 2006: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (nominated), for *Boston Legal*
- 1995: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (won), for *Murphy Brown*
- 1994: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (won), for *Murphy Brown*
- 1993: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (nominated), for *Murphy Brown*
- 1992: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (won), for *Murphy Brown*
- 1991: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (nominated), for *Murphy Brown*
- 1990: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (won), for *Murphy Brown*
- 1989: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (won), for *Murphy Brown*

### SAG Awards — 0 won, 8 nominated

- 2009: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (nominated), for *Boston Legal*
- 2008: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (nominated), for *Boston Legal*
- 2007: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (nominated), for *Boston Legal*
- 2006: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (nominated), for *Boston Legal*
- 2006: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (nominated), for *Boston Legal*
- 1996: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (nominated), for *Murphy Brown*
- 1995: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (nominated), for *Murphy Brown*
- 1995: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (nominated), for *Murphy Brown*

### Other awards — 1 won, 4 nominated

- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress 2009: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress (nominated), for *Bride Wars*
- Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy 2005: Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy (nominated), for *Boston Legal*
- Teen Choice Award for Best Villain 2003: Teen Choice Award for Best Villain (nominated), for *Sweet Home Alabama*
- TCA Career Achievement Award 1998: TCA Career Achievement Award (nominated)
- Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year 1979: Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/candice-bergen