--- name: "Karen Allen" canonical: "https://film.one/person/karen-allen" fi1m_id: "karen-allen" imdb_id: "nm0000261" tmdb_id: 650 wikidata_id: "Q229137" roles: ["Actor"] born: "5 October 1951" reviewed_on_fi1m: 9 average_fi1m_score: 73 average_as: "actor" average_over: 9 updated: "2026-10-25T10:16:05.923207+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." --- # Karen Allen ## Identity Karen Allen - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/karen-allen - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** karen-allen - **IMDb ID:** nm0000261 - **TMDB ID:** 650 - **Wikidata ID:** Q229137 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Allen, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229137, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000261/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/650 Actor. Born 5 October 1951 in Carrollton, Illinois, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 5 October 1951, Carrollton, Illinois, USA - **Active:** 1979–present - **Also known as:** Karen Jane Allen , کارن آلن - **Frequently works with:** [Frank Marshall](https://film.one/person/frank-marshall.md), [Harrison Ford](https://film.one/person/harrison-ford.md), [David Koepp](https://film.one/person/david-koepp.md), [Steven Spielberg](https://film.one/person/steven-spielberg.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 73, as actor, over 9 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 78 (1), 1980s 79 (3), 1990s 84 (1), 2000s 67 (3), 2020s 58 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 69 across 9 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 2 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 3 of 8 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 6, Action 4, Adventure 4, Comedy 2, Romance 2, Thriller 2 - **Screen time:** 18 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $2,064m across 9 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Allen, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229137, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000261/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/650 ## Streaming the US now - **Apple TV:** [*Raiders of the Lost Ark*](https://film.one/film/raiders-of-the-lost-ark.md) (93), [*Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull*](https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-kingdom-of-the-crystal-skull.md) (55) - **Disney+:** [*Starman*](https://film.one/film/starman.md) (77), [*Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny*](https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny.md) (58) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Karen Allen > Karen Allen brings a husky voice and humour to women who stand their ground. We rate her quieter sympathy just as highly; the recurring frustration is with films that move on before we have had enough of her. Marion Ravenwood gives Indiana Jones someone worth arguing with. In Steven Spielberg's *Raiders of the Lost Ark* (1981), Karen Allen is a match for Harrison Ford, and the film benefits whenever it lets them talk. We wanted the chases to wait, because her force and humour made their sparring such a pleasure. Lawrence Kasdan's screenplay is at its most enjoyable when it gives the actors that freedom. It is an adventure we would recommend to almost anyone, with a small wish for longer in Allen's company. Allen's husky voice and earthy manner suit the strong-willed women she is frequently asked to play. After *Raiders* brought her breakthrough, she took the co-leading part of Jenny Hayden in *Starman* (1984), a science-fiction romance. Her debut as Katy in *National Lampoon's Animal House* (1978) and supporting role as Claire Phillips in the comedy *Scrooged* (1988) are worth keeping in view when Marion threatens to account for the whole career. From the 1990s, smaller film roles became more common alongside substantial stage work. It would be a mistake to measure her contribution simply by how much of a film she occupies. In Soderbergh's *King of the Hill* (1993), her Miss Mathey is the adult who looks at Aaron and sees a child rather than a problem. The difference matters in a film where kindness can come with terms and authority offers little protection. Jesse Bradford carries the story, but Allen helps make its treatment of the boy more humane. We value this quieter sympathy as much as Marion's readiness to argue. The last half hour tidies up too much, though we would still recommend it warmly. She returned as Marion in *Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull* (2008), while *Colewell* (2019) gave her a later independent lead as Nora. Yet *Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny* (2023) gives us barely time to notice her. James Mangold's film has room for 155 minutes of adventure, but little for Allen, and recognition is a poor substitute for a part. Our disappointment is with the space she is given, not with the prospect of seeing her again. Start with *Raiders*, then try *King of the Hill* for a different reason to want her to stay. ## Biography Karen Allen is an American actress. She was born on 5 October 1951 in Carrollton, Illinois. She studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, and began her career with roles in National Lampoon's Animal House (1978) and Manhattan (1979). Allen is best known for playing Marion Ravenwood opposite Harrison Ford in the Indiana Jones films Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023). Other film credits include Starman (1984), Scrooged (1988), Malcolm X (1992) and The Sandlot (1993). She has also worked extensively in theatre, including Broadway productions, and has directed stage and film work. She appeared as Miss Mathey in the 1993 film King of the Hill. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (9) - *Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny* (2023), Fi1m 58, as Marion — [page](https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny.md) - *Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull* (2008), Fi1m 55, as Marion Ravenwood — [page](https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-kingdom-of-the-crystal-skull.md) - *In the Bedroom* (2001), Fi1m 84, as Marla Keyes — [page](https://film.one/film/in-the-bedroom.md) - *The Perfect Storm* (2000), Fi1m 63, as Melissa Brown — [page](https://film.one/film/the-perfect-storm.md) - *King of the Hill* (1993), Fi1m 84, as Miss Mathey — [page](https://film.one/film/king-of-the-hill.md) - *Scrooged* (1988), Fi1m 66, as Claire Phillips — [page](https://film.one/film/scrooged.md) - *Starman* (1984), Fi1m 77, as Jenny Hayden — [page](https://film.one/film/starman.md) - *Raiders of the Lost Ark* (1981), Fi1m 93, as Marion Ravenwood — [page](https://film.one/film/raiders-of-the-lost-ark.md) - *Manhattan* (1979), Fi1m 78, as Television Actor #2 — [page](https://film.one/film/manhattan.md) ## Complete filmography (68) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Other Mommy* (2026), as Grandma Ruth — coming soon, [page](https://film.one/film/other-mommy.md) - *The Easy Kind* (2024), as Kathy - *Unsinkable* (2024), as Nancy Smith - *A Stage of Twilight* (2024), as Cora - *Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny* (2023), as Marion — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny.md) - *The Last Movie Stars* (2022), series, as Frances Woodward (voice) - *Going Home* (2022), series, as Bonnie - *Things Heard & Seen* (2021), as Mare Laughton - *50 States of Fright* (2020), series, as Sheriff Stallings - *Colewell* (2019), as Nora - *A Tree. A Rock. A Cloud.* (2017), director, Director, Screenplay - *Year by the Sea* (2016), as Joan - *Bad Hurt* (2016), as Elaine Kendall - *November Christmas* (2011), as Claire Sanford - *White Irish Drinkers* (2011), as Margaret - *Blue Bloods* (2010), series, as Betty Lowe - *A Dog Year* (2009), as Paula (voice) - *Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull* (2008), as Marion Ravenwood — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-kingdom-of-the-crystal-skull.md) - *Shaka Zulu: The Citadel* (2005), as Katherine Farewell - *When Will I Be Loved* (2004), as Alexandra Barrie - *Poster Boy* (2004), as Eunice Kray - *Plain Dirty* (2003), as Butcher Lee - *Where Are They Now?: A Delta Alumni Update* (2003), as Katy Schoenstein - *World Traveler* (2002), as Delores - *In the Bedroom* (2001), as Marla Keyes — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/in-the-bedroom.md) - *My Horrible Year!* (2001), as Belinda Faulkner - *The Perfect Storm* (2000), as Melissa Brown — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/the-perfect-storm.md) - *Wind River* (2000), as Martha - *The Basket* (2000), as Bessie Emery - *Falling Sky* (1999), as Resse Nicholson - *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Paula Varney - *All the Winters that Have Been* (1997), as Hannah Raven - *'Til There Was You* (1997), as Betty Dawkan - *Hostile Advances: The Kerry Ellison Story* (1996), as Margaret - *The Road Home* (1994), series, as Alison Matson - *Ghost in the Machine* (1993), as Terry Munroe - *King of the Hill* (1993), as Miss Mathey — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/king-of-the-hill.md) - *Voyage* (1993), as Catherine 'Kit' Norvell - *The Sandlot* (1993), as Mom - *Rapture* (1993), as Georgianne Corcoran - *Malcolm X* (1992), as Miss Dunne — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/malcolm-x.md) - *Nonsense and Lullabyes: Poems* (1992), as (voice) - *Nonsense and Lullabyes: Nursery Rhymes* (1992), as (voice) - *The Turning* (1992), as Glory Lawson - *Sweet Talker* (1991), as Julie Maguire - *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Judith Sandler — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md) - *Secret Weapon* (1990), as Ruth - *Challenger* (1990), as Christa McAuliffe - *Animal Behavior* (1989), as Alex Bristow - *Scrooged* (1988), as Claire Phillips — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/scrooged.md) - *Backfire* (1988), as Mara McAndrew - *The Glass Menagerie* (1987), as Laura Wingfield - *Terminus* (1987), as Gus - *The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (1985), series, as Jackie Foster - *Starman* (1984), as Jenny Hayden — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/starman.md) - *Until September* (1984), as Mo Alexander - *Split Image* (1982), as Rebecca / Amy - *Shoot the Moon* (1982), as Sandy - *Raiders of the Lost Ark* (1981), as Marion Ravenwood — Fi1m 93, [page](https://film.one/film/raiders-of-the-lost-ark.md) - *East of Eden* (1981), series, as Abra - *A Small Circle of Friends* (1980), as Jessica Bloom - *Cruising* (1980), as Nancy Gates - *Knots Landing* (1979), series, as Annie Fairgate - *The Wanderers* (1979), as Nina - *Manhattan* (1979), as Television Actor #2 — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/manhattan.md) - *Lovey: A Circle of Children, Part II* (1978), as Elizabeth - *Animal House* (1978), as Katy - *The Cutting Room Floor*, Actor ## Gallery - ![Karen Allen](https://film.one/media/person/9937/gallery-820d67661caf.jpg) Karen Allen — Michele Eve Photography, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Karenallen17_cropped.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Karen Allen at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival.](https://film.one/media/person/9937/gallery-aa75dad0fbd3.jpg) Karen Allen at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival. — gdcgraphics at https://www.flickr.com/photos/gdcgraphics/, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/KarenAllen10TIFF.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Toronto International Film Festival 2010.](https://film.one/media/person/9937/gallery-9534a131cd2a.jpg) Toronto International Film Festival 2010. — Gordon Correll, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Karen_Allen_%285081535265%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Karen Allen at the Chiller Theatre Expo in 2013](https://film.one/media/person/9937/gallery-4014225cb746.jpg) Karen Allen at the Chiller Theatre Expo in 2013 — Rob DiCaterino from Clifton, NJ, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/Karen_Allen_%288707577445%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Karen Allen](https://film.one/media/person/9937/gallery-1ba78abc8bd4.jpg) Karen Allen — Image via TMDB - ![Karen Allen](https://film.one/media/person/9937/gallery-3b4677bf6b51.jpg) Karen Allen — Image via TMDB - ![Karen Allen](https://film.one/media/person/9937/gallery-339ae6abde91.jpg) Karen Allen — Image via TMDB - ![Karen Allen](https://film.one/media/person/9937/gallery-8f8368f5c4ad.jpg) Karen Allen — Image via TMDB - ![Karen Allen](https://film.one/media/person/9937/gallery-2c1b00c1169e.jpg) Karen Allen — Image via TMDB - ![Karen Allen](https://film.one/media/person/9937/gallery-64263fe5b1cd.jpg) Karen Allen — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Other awards — 1 won - Theatre World Award 1983: Theatre World Award (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/karen-allen