--- name: "Roddy McDowall" canonical: "https://film.one/person/roddy-mcdowall" roles: ["Actor"] born: "17 September 1928" died: "3 October 1998" reviewed_on_fi1m: 5 average_fi1m_score: 71 average_as: "actor" average_over: 5 updated: "2026-09-19T16:42:59.850838+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." --- # Roddy McDowall Actor. Born 17 September 1928 in London, England, UK. Died 3 October 1998. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 17 September 1928, London, England, UK - **Died:** 3 October 1998 - **Active:** 1959–1973 - **Also known as:** Roddy MacDowall, Master Roddy McDowall, Roderick Andrew Anthony Jude McDowall, Родді Макдавелл, Roderick McDowall - **Frequently works with:** [Arthur P. Jacobs](https://film.one/person/arthur-p-jacobs.md), [J. Lee Thompson](https://film.one/person/j-lee-thompson.md), [Kim Hunter](https://film.one/person/kim-hunter.md), [Natalie Trundy](https://film.one/person/natalie-trundy.md), [Paul Dehn](https://film.one/person/paul-dehn.md), [Severn Darden](https://film.one/person/severn-darden.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 71, as actor, over 5 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1950s 84 (1), 1960s 84 (1), 1970s 62 (3) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 68 to 67 across 4 titles - **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 1 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 4 of 4 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Action 4, Science Fiction 4, Drama 2, Adventure 1, Mystery 1, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 1 - **Screen time:** 7 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $63m across 4 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roddy_McDowall, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q283988, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001522/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7505 ## Streaming the US now - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Conquest of the Planet of the Apes*](https://film.one/film/conquest-of-the-planet-of-the-apes.md) (73) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Biography Roddy McDowall was a British-born American actor whose career spanned more than six decades. Born in London in 1928, he began acting as a child in British films before moving to the United States with his family during the Second World War. He made his Hollywood debut in How Green Was My Valley (1941) and appeared in other early successes including My Friend Flicka (1943) and Lassie Come Home (1943). McDowall is best known for his roles in the original Planet of the Apes film series, playing Cornelius in Planet of the Apes (1968) and Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971), and Caesar in Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) and Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973). He later portrayed Galen in the Planet of the Apes television series. His other notable film credits include The Poseidon Adventure (1972) and Fright Night (1985), alongside extensive stage, television and voice work. He also directed the 1970 film Tam-Lin and published books of his photography. McDowall died in 1998. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, biography.com, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (5) - *Battle for the Planet of the Apes* (1973), Fi1m 36, as Caesar — [page](https://film.one/film/battle-for-the-planet-of-the-apes.md) - *Conquest of the Planet of the Apes* (1972), Fi1m 73, as Caesar — [page](https://film.one/film/conquest-of-the-planet-of-the-apes.md) - *Escape from the Planet of the Apes* (1971), Fi1m 77, as Cornelius — [page](https://film.one/film/escape-from-the-planet-of-the-apes.md) - *Planet of the Apes* (1968), Fi1m 84, as Cornelius — [page](https://film.one/film/planet-of-the-apes.md) - *The Twilight Zone* (1959), Fi1m 84, as Sam Conrad — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-twilight-zone.md) ## Complete filmography (234) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The Return of Captain Sinbad* (2001), as Narrator - *Linda Darnell: Hollywood's Fallen Angel* (1999), Actor - *A Bug's Life* (1998), as Mr. Soil (voice) - *Loss of Faith* (1998), as Henry Stokes - *Godzilla: The Series* (1998), series, Actor - *Something to Believe In* (1998), as Gambler - *Star Power: The Creation Of United Artists* (1998), as Narrator (voice) - *Pinky and the Brain: Mice of the Jungle* (1997), as Snowball (voice) - *Obsessed with Vertigo* (1997), as Narrator (Voice) - *The New Batman Adventures* (1997), series, as Mad Hatter (voice) - *The Second Jungle Book: Mowgli & Baloo* (1997), as King Murphy - *Unlikely Angel* (1996), as Saint Peter - *The Grass Harp* (1996), as Amos Legrand - *Superman: The Animated Series* (1996), series, as Mad Hatter (voice) - *It's My Party* (1996), as Damian Knowles - *Dead Man's Island* (1996), as Trevor Dunnaway - *Remember WENN* (1996), series, as Giles Aldwych - *Star Hunter* (1996), as Riecher - *Last Summer in the Hamptons* (1995), as Thomas - *Pinky and the Brain* (1995), series, as Snowball (voice) - *The Alien Within* (1995), as Dr. Henry Lazarus - *Gargoyles* (1994), series, as Proteus (voice) - *The Tick* (1994), series, as The Breadmaster (voice) - *Angel 4: Undercover* (1994), as Geoffrey Kagen - *Mirror Mirror 2: Raven Dance* (1994), as Dr. Lasky - *Duckman* (1994), series, as Akers (voice) - *Hart to Hart: Home Is Where the Hart Is* (1994), as Jeremy Sennet - *Heads* (1994), as Fibris Drake - *Burke's Law* (1994), series, as Maurice Gillette - *Meet Me in St. Louis: The Making of an American Classic* (1994), as Narrator (voice) - *SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron* (1993), series, as Madkat (voice) - *The Evil Inside Me* (1993), as Pauly - *The Sands of Time* (1992), as Alan Tucker - *Batman: The Animated Series* (1992), series, as Mad Hatter (voice) - *MGM: When the Lion Roars* (1992), series, Actor - *Double Trouble* (1992), as Phillip Chamberlin - *The Naked Target* (1992), as Ernest Peabody - *Timmy's Gift: A Precious Moments Christmas* (1991), as Narrator (voice) - *Darkwing Duck* (1991), series, as Sir Quackmire Mallard (voice) - *The Legend of Prince Valiant* (1991), series, Actor - *Going Under* (1991), as Secretary Neighbor - *Deadly Game* (1991), as Dr. Aaron - *An Inconvenient Woman* (1991), series, as Cyril Rathbone - *Earth Angel* (1991), as Mr. Tatum - *The Pirates of Dark Water* (1991), series, as Niddler (voice) - *Shakma* (1990), as Sorenson - *The Color of Evening* (1990), as Henry Seaton - *Dream On* (1990), series, as Bob Jeffers - *The Big Picture* (1989), as Judge - *Carmilla* (1989), as Inspector Amos - *The New Lassie* (1989), series, Actor - *Nightmare Classics* (1989), series, as Inspector Amos - *Cutting Class* (1989), as Mr. Dante - *Around the World in 80 Days* (1989), series, as McBaines - *Quantum Leap* (1989), series, as Edward St. John V - *Doin' Time on Planet Earth* (1988), as Minister - *Remo Williams: The Prophecy* (1988), as Chiun - *Fright Night Part 2* (1988), as Peter Vincent - *Overboard* (1987), as Andrew · Executive Producer - *Dead of Winter* (1987), as Mr. Murray - *The Wizard* (1986), series, Actor - *Bridges to Cross* (1986), series, Actor - *GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords* (1986), as Nuggit (voice) - *Matlock* (1986), series, as Christopher Hoyt, Don Mosher - *Alice in Wonderland* (1985), series, as March Hare - *George Burns Comedy Week* (1985), series, as Bob Cratchit - *Fright Night* (1985), as Peter Vincent - *Hollywood Wives* (1985), series, as Jason Swandle - *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Dr. Alger Kenyon, PHD, Gordon Fairchild - *The Zany Adventures of Robin Hood* (1984), as Prince John - *The Wind in the Willows* (1983), as Ratty (voice) - *Rapunzel* (1983), as Narrator - *This Girl for Hire* (1983), as Manfred Hayes - *Tales of the Gold Monkey* (1982), series, as "Bon Chance" Louie - *Faerie Tale Theatre* (1982), series, as Narrator (voice) - *Hotel* (1982), series, as Anthony Spears - *Class of 1984* (1982), as Terry Corrigan - *Natalie - A Tribute to a Very Special Lady* (1982), Actor - *Mae West* (1982), as Rene Valentine - *Evil Under the Sun* (1982), as Rex Brewster - *Here's Boomer* (1981), series, Actor - *The Million Dollar Face* (1981), as Derek Kenyon - *Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen* (1981), as Gillespie - *Farewell to the Planet of the Apes* (1980), as Galen - *Life, Liberty and Pursuit on the Planet of the Apes* (1980), as Galen - *Treachery and Greed on the Planet of the Apes* (1980), as Galen - *The Forgotten City of the Planet of the Apes* (1980), as Galen - *Back to the Planet of the Apes* (1980), as Galen - *The Return of the King* (1980), as Samwise Gamgee (voice) - *The Memory of Eva Ryker* (1980), as MacFarland - *The Martian Chronicles* (1980), series, as Father Stone - *Scavenger Hunt* (1979), as Jenkins - *The Black Hole* (1979), as V.I.N.CENT. (voice) (uncredited) - *Buck Rogers in the 25th Century: Planet of the Slave Girls* (1979), as Governor Saroyan - *Trapper John, M.D.* (1979), series, Actor - *Buck Rogers in the 25th Century* (1979), series, as Governor Saroyan - *Hart to Hart* (1979), as Dr. Peterson - *Supertrain* (1979), series, as Benjamin Warren Talcott - *$weepstake$* (1979), series, as Theodore - *Sitcom: The Adventures of Garry Marshall* (1979), as Chuck the Robot (voice) - *The Immigrants* (1978), series, as Mark Levy - *Flying High* (1978), series, Actor - *Circle of Iron* (1978), as White Robe - *The Cat from Outer Space* (1978), as Mr. Stallwood - *Rabbit Test* (1978), as Gypsy Grandmother / Dr. D & C Fishbine - *Laserblast* (1978), as Doctor Mellon - *Fantasy Island* (1978), series, as Mephistopheles, Richard Simmons - *The Thief of Baghdad* (1978), as Hasan - *The Love Boat* (1977), series, as Fred Beery - *Sixth and Main* (1977), as Skateboard - *Flood!* (1977), as Mr. Franklin - *The Rhinemann Exchange* (1977), series, as Bobby Ballard - *The Fantastic Journey* (1977), series, as Dr. Jonathan Willaway - *The Fantastic Journey* (1977), as Dr. Jonathan Willoway - *Embryo* (1976), as Frank Riley - *That's Entertainment, Part II* (1976), as (archive footage) - *Mowgli's Brothers* (1976), as Mowgli (voice) - *Mean Johnny Barrows* (1975), as Tony Da Vince - *Wonder Woman* (1975), series, as Henry Roberts, Professor Arthur Chapman - *Ellery Queen* (1975), series, Actor - *The White Seal* (1975), as Narrator/ White Seal - *Funny Lady* (1975), as Bobby Moore - *Planet of the Apes* (1974), series, as Galen - *Police Woman* (1974), series, as Moulton - *Harry O* (1974), series, Actor - *Dirty Mary Crazy Larry* (1974), as George Stanton (uncredited) - *The Elevator* (1974), as Marvin Ellis - *The Snoop Sisters* (1973), series, as Lionel Standish - *Miracle on 34th Street* (1973), as Dr. Sawyer - *Arnold* (1973), as Robert - *Battle for the Planet of the Apes* (1973), as Caesar — Fi1m 36, [page](https://film.one/film/battle-for-the-planet-of-the-apes.md) - *The Legend of Hell House* (1973), as Benjamin Franklin Fischer - *Barnaby Jones* (1973), series, as Stanley Lambert - *The Poseidon Adventure* (1972), as Acres - *The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean* (1972), as Frank Gass - *Delphi Bureau* (1972), series, as Harold - *The Rookies* (1972), series, Actor - *Conquest of the Planet of the Apes* (1972), as Caesar — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/conquest-of-the-planet-of-the-apes.md) - *Corky* (1972), as Harassed Salesman - *What's a Nice Girl Like You...?* (1971), as Albert Soames - *A Taste of Evil* (1971), as Dr. Michael Lomas - *Bedknobs and Broomsticks* (1971), as Mr. Jelk - *Terror in the Sky* (1971), as Dr. Ralph Baird - *Columbo* (1971), series, as Roger Stanford — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/columbo.md) - *Escape from the Planet of the Apes* (1971), as Cornelius — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/escape-from-the-planet-of-the-apes.md) - *Pretty Maids All in a Row* (1971), as Mr. Proffer - *Journey to Murder* (1971), as Rollo Verdew - *The Ballad of Tam Lin* (1970), Director - *McCloud* (1970), series, as Phil Sandler - *Night Gallery* (1969), as Jeremy Evans - *Love, American Style* (1969), series, as Howard - *Angel, Angel, Down We Go* (1969), as Santoro - *Hello Down There* (1969), as Nate Ashbury - *Midas Run* (1969), as Wister - *Journey to the Unknown* (1968), series, as Rollo Verdew - *The Name of the Game* (1968), series, as Philip Saxon, Early McCorley - *5 Card Stud* (1968), as Nick Evers - *The Legend of Robin Hood* (1968), as Prince John - *Planet of the Apes* (1968), as Cornelius — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/planet-of-the-apes.md) - *Cricket on the Hearth* (1967), as Cricket Crocket (voice) - *Saint Joan* (1967), as Charles, The Dauphin - *It!* (1967), as Arthur Pimm - *The Cool Ones* (1967), as Tony Krum - *Ironside* (1967), series, Actor - *The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin* (1967), as Bullwhip Griffin - *The Invaders* (1967), series, as Lloyd Lindstrom - *The Defector* (1966), as Agent Adams - *Mission: Impossible* (1966), series, as Leo Ostro — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/mission-impossible-1966.md) - *Felony Squad* (1966), series, Actor - *Lord Love a Duck* (1966), as Alan Musgrave - *Inside Daisy Clover* (1966), as Walter Baines - *Batman* (1966), series, as The Bookworm - *That Darn Cat!* (1965), as Gregory Benson - *The Loved One* (1965), as D.J. Jr. - *Run for Your Life* (1965), series, as Gyula Bognar - *The Third Day* (1965), as Oliver Parsons - *The Greatest Story Ever Told* (1965), as Matthew - *Shock Treatment* (1964), as Martin Ashley - *Kraft Suspense Theatre* (1963), series, as Robert 'Professor' Benson - *Arrest and Trial* (1963), series, Actor - *Cleopatra* (1963), as Octavian - Caesar Augustus - *The Power and the Glory* (1963), as Mestizo - *The Longest Day* (1962), as Pvt. Morris - *The Alfred Hitchcock Hour* (1962), series, as George, Gerald Musgrove - *Ben Casey* (1961), series, Actor - *Midnight Lace* (1960), as Malcolm - *The Subterraneans* (1960), as Yuri Gilgoric - *The Tempest* (1960), as Ariel - *The Twilight Zone* (1959), series, as Sam Conrad — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-twilight-zone.md) - *Heart of Darkness* (1958), as Charles Marlow - *Naked City* (1958), series, as Donnie Benton - *The Big Country* (1958), as Hannassey Watchman (uncredited) - *Suspicion* (1957), series, Actor - *THe Good Fairy* (1956), as Waiter - *Matinee Theater* (1955), series, Actor - *General Electric Theater* (1953), series, as Leprechaun - *The Steel Fist* (1952), as Eric Kardin - *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Ariel, The Dauphin - *Hill Number One: A Story of Faith and Inspiration* (1951), as Pvt. Huntington (The Professor) - *Lux Video Theatre* (1950), series, as Pete, Bellamy Partridge - *Big Timber* (1950), as Jimmy · Associate Producer - *Everybody's Dancin'* (1950), as Roddy McDowall - *Killer Shark* (1950), as Ted White · Associate Producer - *Robert Montgomery Presents* (1950), series, as Gerald Forbes, Pip - *Black Midnight* (1949), as Scott Jordan · Associate Producer - *Tuna Clipper* (1949), as Alec MacLennan - *Kidnapped* (1948), as David Balfour - *Macbeth* (1948), as Malcolm - *Rocky* (1948), as Chris Hammond - *Kraft Television Theatre* (1947), series, as Mr. Elton - *Holiday in Mexico* (1946), as Stanley Owen - *Molly and Me* (1945), as Jimmy Graham - *Thunderhead: Son of Flicka* (1945), as Ken McLaughlin - *The Keys of the Kingdom* (1944), as Francis Chisholm, as a boy - *The White Cliffs of Dover* (1944), as John Ashwood II as a Boy - *Lassie Come Home* (1943), as Joe Carraclough - *My Friend Flicka* (1943), as Ken McLaughlin - *The Pied Piper* (1942), as Ronnie Cavanaugh - *On the Sunny Side* (1942), as Hugh Aylesworth - *Son of Fury: The Story of Benjamin Blake* (1942), as Benjamin - as a Boy - *Confirm or Deny* (1941), as Albert Perkins - *How Green Was My Valley* (1941), as Huw Morgan - *This England* (1941), as Hugo - *Man Hunt* (1941), as Vaner - *You Will Remember* (1941), as Young Bob Slater - *Saloon Bar* (1940), as Boy - *Just William* (1940), as Ginger - *His Brother’s Keeper* (1940), as Boy - *Poison Pen* (1939), as Choirboy - *The Outsider* (1939), as Cured Child - *Hey! Hey! USA* (1938), as Boy - *Convict 99* (1938), as Jimmy - *I See Ice* (1938), as Boy on train - *Murder in the Family* (1938), as Peter Osborne ## Gallery - ![Roddy McDowall](https://film.one/media/person/385222/gallery-d466ee7f6e15.jpg) Roddy McDowall — Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Roddy_McDowall_1997.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Cast of the very short-lived science fiction program The Fantastic Journey. Back row, L-R: Katie Saylor, Roddy McDowall and Carl Franklin. Front: Ike Eisenmann (1977)](https://film.one/media/person/385222/gallery-87584afe1270.jpg) Cast of the very short-lived science fiction program The Fantastic Journey. Back row, L-R: Katie Saylor, Roddy McDowall and Carl Franklin. Front: Ike Eisenmann (1977) — NBC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/Fantastic_Journey_cast_1977.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Theater advertisement for the film, Lassie Come Home. 16 December, 1943.](https://film.one/media/person/385222/gallery-7e0481862d24.png) Theater advertisement for the film, Lassie Come Home. 16 December, 1943. — Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Lassie_Come_Home_-_Theatre_ad_-_16_December%2C_1943.png/1280px-Lassie_Come_Home_-_Theatre_ad_-_16_December%2C_1943.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Cast photo from the short-lived television program Planet of the Apes. From left: Ron Harper as astronaut Alan Virdon, Roddy McDowell as Galen, the chimpanzee, (1974)](https://film.one/media/person/385222/gallery-2e0186874bdc.jpg) Cast photo from the short-lived television program Planet of the Apes. From left: Ron Harper as astronaut Alan Virdon, Roddy McDowell as Galen, the chimpanzee, (1974) — CBS Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/Planet_of_the_Apes_cast_1974.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Roddy McDowall](https://film.one/media/person/385222/gallery-284b100c5308.jpg) Roddy McDowall — Image via TMDB - ![Roddy McDowall](https://film.one/media/person/385222/gallery-7d66450d32e5.jpg) Roddy McDowall — Image via TMDB - ![Roddy McDowall](https://film.one/media/person/385222/gallery-1ec6dd636194.jpg) Roddy McDowall — Image via TMDB - ![Photo of Richard Burton as King Arthur and Roddy McDowall as Mordred in the Broadway presentation of Camelot.](https://film.one/media/person/385222/gallery-04beba3e755a.jpg) Photo of Richard Burton as King Arthur and Roddy McDowall as Mordred in the Broadway presentation of Camelot. — Photographer-Friedman-Abeles, New York, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Richard_Burton_Roddy_McDowall_Camelot_1963.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![1988 Academy Awards - Roccy McDowell. Also, at left, casting director Marvin Paige. NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photo](https://film.one/media/person/385222/gallery-3e1ccaf10e27.jpg) 1988 Academy Awards - Roccy McDowell. Also, at left, casting director Marvin Paige. NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photo — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/Roddy_McDowall_%282085898165%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Roddy McDowall](https://film.one/media/person/385222/gallery-1bb9ec58fe57.jpg) Roddy McDowall — Image via TMDB - ![Roddy McDowall](https://film.one/media/person/385222/gallery-a906bafa5895.jpg) Roddy McDowall — Image via TMDB - ![Roddy McDowall](https://film.one/media/person/385222/gallery-fd4110256410.jpg) Roddy McDowall — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Other awards — 1 won - Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play 1960: Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play (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/roddy-mcdowall