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Liam Dunn

Liam Dunn

Actor · Died April 11, 1976, aged 59 · New Jersey, USA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Liam Dunn (November 12, 1916 – April 11, 1976) was an American character actor. Life and career The New Jersey native's early career was spent on television in series such as Bonanza, Room 222, Alias Smith and Jones, Mannix, Emergency! [S5Ep18] as "Amos", and Gunsmoke. Dunn's breakout role was as the judge (and Barbra Streisand's character's father) in the 1972 film What's Up, Doc?, for which he was noticed by Mel Brooks, who was in the process of forming a stock company of actors.[citation needed] Dunn went on to appear in Brooks films, including Blazing Saddles (1974) as Rev. Johnson, Young Frankenstein (1974) as Mr. Hilltop, and as the Newsvendor in Silent Movie (1976). He also appeared in several Walt Disney productions, such as The World's Greatest Athlete (1973), Charley and the Angel (1973), Herbie Rides Again (1974) and Gus (1976). He frequently portrayed characters who were verbally and/or physically abused in a slapstick way. Additional television credits include Twigs, All in the Family, Barney Miller, McMillan & Wife, Rhoda, Sanford and Son, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, S4Ep6. Additional film credits included roles in Catch-22 (1970), The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid (1972), A Reflection of Fear (1972), Emperor of the North Pole (1973), Papillon (1973), Killer Bees (1974), Bank Shot (1974), At Long Last Love (1975), The Night That Panicked America (1975), Peeper (1976) and High Velocity (1976). Dunn collapsed on the set of Disney's The Shaggy D.A. (1976) during the filming of the roller rink sequence, and as soon as he was hospitalized, died on April 11, 1976, from emphysema in Granada Hills, California. John Fiedler was brought in to complete the role as dog catcher. Though only 59 at the time of his death, Dunn always looked much older than he was, and he was cast accordingly. CLR

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 12, 1916
Died
April 11, 1976 (aged 59)
From
New Jersey, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
36 on MovieCove · 61 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 25% in 30 days

What are Liam Dunn's films like?

Across their 10 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 82nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
34%
Self
24%
Morality
23%
Society
11%
Power
5%
Survival
3%
Family bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGreed2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 10 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Wry: How sincerely it treats its story and characters, from ironic to earnest. Browse their wry movies.
Tone · Sincerity
ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 3 · Wry 1 · Earnest 6

Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 8 · Serious 1 · Dark 1

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 2 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 6 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 7 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 0

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 6

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 2 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 2

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 5 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 9 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

1 analyzed role
  • Tricksteras Billy Pate in Peeper (1975)

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
7
Joyful
4
Tense
5
Thrilling
3
Warm
3
Other
2

How their films linger

Fun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet2
  • Tragic1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Liam Dunn's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 20 of their 36 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on The Roku Channel (9).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Liam Dunn's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

61 credits, 36 with a MovieCove page.

  • The Quinns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Sean Quinn, Sr.

  • The Shaggy D.A.(1976)

    as Dogcatcher

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • High Velocity (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Bennett

  • Gus(1976)

    as Dr. Morgan

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Silent Movie(1976)

    as Newsvendor

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Panache (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as M. Durant / Pere Joseph

  • Peeper(1975)

    as Billy Pate

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Night That Panicked America(1975)

    as Charlie

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Twigs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Pa

  • At Long Last Love(1975)

    as Harry

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Barney Miller(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Fuzzo

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Young Frankenstein(1974)

    as Mr. Hilltop

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Rare Blue Apes of Cannibal Isle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Oompah/Hermit (voice)

  • Virginia Hill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Auctioneer

  • Rhoda (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Bank Shot(1974)

    as House Painter · as Painter

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The Healers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Mr. Addison

  • A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Mr. Barker

  • A Cry in the Wilderness(1974)

    as Mr. Hainie

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Killer Bees (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Zeb Tucker

  • Herbie Rides Again(1974)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Blazing Saddles(1974)

    as Rev. Johnson

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Snoop Sisters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Franklin Birdwell

  • Papillon(1973)

    as Old Trustee

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Miracle on 34th Street(1973)

    as Zookeeper

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Kojak(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Faxy

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Isn't It Shocking?(1973)

    as Myron Flagg

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Faraday and Company (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Skinner

  • Adam's Rib (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Charlie

  • Diana (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 15 episodes · as Smitty

  • Emperor of the North(1973)

    as Smile

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Charley and the Angel(1973)

    as Dr. Sprague

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Genesis II(1973)

    as Janos

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The World's Greatest Athlete(1973)

    as Dr. Winslow

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Here We Go Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Rev. Mr. Nicholson

  • A Reflection of Fear(1972)

    as Coroner

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The Crooked Hearts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Writer

  • The Sandy Duncan Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Banacek(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Hanrahan

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • The Paul Lynde Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid(1972)

    as Drummer

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • What's Up, Doc?(1972)

    as Judge Maxwell

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Hound of the Baskervilles(1972)

    as Messenger

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Emergency!(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Amos

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Sanford and Son (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • McMillan & Wife(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Dave Duncan · as Rev. Coffey

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • The Partners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Nichols (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Fingers

  • Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Brighton

  • All in the Family(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Fairchild

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Partridge Family(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Neumeyer · as Salesman

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all shows

  • The Odd Couple(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Captain Wyatt

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • The Mary Tyler Moore Show(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Robert Baxter

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Catch-22(1970)

    as Father

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • McCloud(1970)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Room 222 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Mannix(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Brock · as Motel Manager

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Captain Nice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 15 episodes · as Mayor Finney

  • Bonanza(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Father O'Brien

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Gunsmoke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Eli Bruder

  • That's My Man(1947)

    as Reporter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 93rd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 61 titles from 1947 to 1977; peak year 1973.

Biggest box office

Blazing Saddles (1974)

$120M worldwide

Highest rated

Young Frankenstein (1974)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Blazing Saddles (1974)

Film career

19471977

Peak 1973 · at the high point of their film career. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1970Screen debut· Catch-22
  • 1974Career best· Young Frankenstein

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting61 of 61: 61 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score59th

By decade

1940s1 · acting1950s2 · acting1960s3 · acting1970s55 · acting

Billing

usually 12th · top billed in 0% of 16 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Liam Dunn's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 47th percentile, the median of all 24; across their 10 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 50th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Approval · how many liked their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Reach · how many have seen their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Midcredits score across 36 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

14 of their 36 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved8
  • Crowd Pleaser11
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed14

Most divisive · actor

At Long Last Love (1975)

78th percentile spread · 38% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Papillon (1973)

Midcredits 98th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 70/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 48. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Liam Dunn's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 32 · mildMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 39 · moderateMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 39 · moderateMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 32 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 9 · minimalMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Liam Dunn work with?

People who share at least 2 of Liam Dunn's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; John Morris shares the most, 4.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers