Mercedes McCambridge
Biography
Mercedes McCambridge was an American actress. She was born on March 16, 1916, in Joliet, Illinois. McCambridge's acting career spanned multiple mediums, including radio, stage, film, and television. She was known for her strong roles in various productions. McCambridge won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in the 1949 film All the King's Men. She was also nominated in the same category for her role in the 1956 film Giant. Additionally, McCambridge provided the voice of a character in the 1973 film The Exorcist. She died on March 2, 2004, at the age of 87.
Career overview
Mercedes McCambridge was an American actress. She began her acting career in radio, stage, film, and television. Orson Welles referred to her as "the world's greatest living radio actress". McCambridge won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in a 1949 film. She was also nominated in the same category for a 1956 film.
McCambridge's acting credits include numerous films and television shows. Her voice was featured in a 1973 film, where she provided the voice of a demon. The actress was known for her strong roles throughout her career. Her work spanned multiple mediums, including radio, stage, film, and television.
McCambridge's career spanned many years, with her beginning her acting career in the early 20th century. She continued to work in the entertainment industry until her death in 2004. The actress was recognized for her contributions to the field of acting, with her work earning her an Academy Award and other notable nominations.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
72 titles- The Friday the 13th Murders (2025) as Self – John's Mother / Actress, The Exorcist (archive footage)
- The Other Side of the Wind (2018) as Maggie Noonan
- The Story of Film: An Odyssey (2011) as Self
- Amazing Stories (1985) as Miss Lestrange (voice)
- Lyman H. Howe's High Class Moving Pictures (1983) as Narrator (voice)
- Cagney & Lacey (1982)
- Echoes (1982) as Lillian Gerben
- Magnum, P.I. (1980) as Agatha Kimball
- Hagen (1980)
- The Sacketts (1979) as Ma Sackett
- The Concorde... Airport '79 (1979) as Nelli
- Flying High (1978)
- Thieves (1977) as Street Lady
- Charlie's Angels (1976) as Norma
- Khan! (1975)
- Who Is the Black Dahlia? (1975) as Grandmother
- The Exorcist (1973) as Demon (voice)
- The President's Plane Is Missing (1973) as Hester Madigan
- The Girls of Huntington House (1973) as Doris McKenzie
- Killer by Night (1972) as Sister Sarah
- Two for the Money (1972) as Mrs. Castle
- Sixteen (1972) as Mother
- Medical Center (1969)
- Marquis de Sade: Justine (1969) as Madame Dusbois
- 99 Women (1969) as Thelma Diaz
- The Name of the Game (1968)
- The Counterfeit Killer (1968) as Frances
- ABC Stage 67 (1966)
- Lost in Space (1965) as Sybilla
- Run Home Slow (1965) as Nell Hagen
- Bewitched (1964) as Carlotta
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963)
- The Dakotas (1963) as Jay French
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- Dr. Kildare (1961) as Sister Teresa
- The Defenders (1961) as Mildred Cochraine
- Angel Baby (1961) as Sarah Strand
- Cimarron (1960) as Mrs. Sarah Wyatt
- Bonanza (1959) as Matilda Curtis
- Bonanza (1959) as Deborah Banning
- Rawhide (1959) as Mrs. Miller
- Rawhide (1959) as Mrs. Martha Mushgrove
- Rawhide (1959) as Ada Randolph
- Rawhide (1959) as Ma Gufler
- Riverboat (1959) as Jessie Quinn
- Suddenly, Last Summer (1959) as Grace Holly
- Touch of Evil (1958) as Gang Leader (uncredited)
- Wagon Train (1957) as Emily Rossiter
- Panic! (1957)
- A Farewell to Arms (1957) as Mrs. Van Campen
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Nominee
- Wire Service (1956) as Kate Wells
- Giant (1956) as Luz Benedict
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Rubilee Mather
- Climax! (1954) as Eliza
- Summer Playhouse (1954)
- Johnny Guitar (1954) as Emma Small
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Letter to Loretta (1953) as Cissy Brackett
- The Red Skelton Show (1951) as Clara Appleby
- Tales of Tomorrow (1951)
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951)
- Lightning Strikes Twice (1951) as Liza McStringer
- The Scarf (1951) as Connie Carter
- Inside Straight (1951) as Ada Stritch
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Marie
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Chris
- All the King's Men (1949) as Sadie Burke
- Studio One (1948)
- Studio One (1948) as Connie MartIn
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Mercedes McCambridge best known for?
Mercedes McCambridge is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Amazing Stories (1985), Cagney & Lacey (1982), Magnum, P.I. (1980), The Sacketts (1979).
When and where was Mercedes McCambridge born?
Mercedes McCambridge was born on March 16, 1916 in Joliet, Illinois, U.S.. They passed away on March 2, 2004.
How many credits does Mercedes McCambridge have?
Mercedes McCambridge has accumulated over 72 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1948 to 2025.
What is Mercedes McCambridge's background in cinema and television?
Mercedes McCambridge was an American actress. She was born on March 16, 1916, in Joliet, Illinois. McCambridge's acting career spanned multiple mediums, including radio, stage, film, and television. She was known for her strong roles in various productions. McCambridge won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress f...
Mercedes McCambridge by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Bewitched (1964) as Carlotta — aged about 48
- The Exorcist (1973) as Demon (voice) — aged about 57
- Touch of Evil (1958) as Gang Leader (uncredited) — aged about 42
- The Sacketts (1979) as Ma Sackett — aged about 63
- Giant (1956) as Luz Benedict — aged about 40
- Amazing Stories (1985) as Miss Lestrange (voice) — aged about 69
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