Top Hollywood Actors Who’ve Been in the Most Movies & Series

Hollywood is filled with tireless performers who seem to pop up in every other film or show, from studio blockbusters to tiny indies and long running TV favorites. This list counts distinct movies and television series to spotlight the busiest careers, ordering them from fewer total projects to the most. Totals are approximate and focus on credited work across features, TV movies, and series. It is a snapshot of sheer output rather than awards or box office.

Nicolas Cage

Nicolas Cage has appeared in about 125 movies and 25 television shows for roughly 150 total projects. His filmography ranges from franchise action to intimate dramas, with entries like ‘Leaving Las Vegas’ and ‘Face/Off’. Television credits include select guest roles and recent streaming appearances. He continues to balance mainstream features with independent productions worldwide.

Willem Dafoe

Willem Dafoe counts roughly 125 movies and 30 television shows for about 155 total projects. His film work spans war dramas and experimental cinema with titles such as ‘Platoon’ and ‘The Lighthouse’. Television includes limited series and occasional guest spots. His career bridges studio releases and art house collaborations across multiple countries.

Ron Perlman

Ron Perlman has around 105 movies and 85 television shows for about 190 total projects. His credits include ‘Hellboy’ and ‘Pacific Rim’ on the film side. On television he is known for ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘Sons of Anarchy’. He also contributes extensive voice work in animated series and features.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson lists approximately 160 movies and 45 television shows for near 205 total projects. His films span crime, drama, and superhero entries including ‘Pulp Fiction’ and multiple ‘Avengers’ titles. Television appearances include limited series, specials, and event programming. His credits feature recurring voice roles and numerous cameos.

Richard Kind

Richard Kind has about 85 movies and 125 television shows for roughly 210 total projects. Film work includes ‘A Serious Man’ along with voice performances in animated features such as ‘Inside Out’. Television highlights range from ‘Spin City’ to ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’. His roles cover sitcoms, animation, and recurring character parts.

Gary Busey

Gary Busey appears in around 155 movies and 60 television shows for an estimated 215 total projects. His films include ‘Point Break’ and ‘Lethal Weapon’. Television entries span scripted guest roles and reality programming. He has a mix of leading and supporting work across action, drama, and comedy.

M. Emmet Walsh

M. Emmet Walsh counts approximately 125 movies and 95 television shows for near 220 total projects. Notable films include ‘Blood Simple’ and ‘Blade Runner’. Television credits cover decades of guest appearances on network and cable series. He is frequently cast in crime stories, comedies, and character driven dramas.

Brian Cox

Brian Cox has roughly 110 movies and 115 television shows for about 225 total projects. His film credits include ‘Braveheart’ and ‘Adaptation’. Television work features ‘Succession’ along with earlier roles in British series. He brings stage honed performances to projects across the United Kingdom and the United States.

Clancy Brown

Clancy Brown appears in about 100 movies and 130 television shows for an estimated 230 total projects. His films include ‘Highlander’ and ‘The Shawshank Redemption’. On television he provides the voice of Mr. Krabs in ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ and appears in shows like ‘Dexter’. His career blends live action and extensive voice acting.

James Cromwell

James Cromwell lists around 110 movies and 130 television shows for near 240 total projects. Films include ‘Babe’ and ‘L.A. Confidential’. Television work features major arcs in ‘Six Feet Under’ and ‘American Horror Story’. His credits also include voice roles and stage to screen adaptations.

Michael Madsen

Michael Madsen has approximately 210 movies and 65 television shows for about 275 total projects. Film highlights include ‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’. Television entries include appearances in ’24’ and ‘Hawaii Five-0’. His work spans independent features and larger scale productions across multiple genres.

Lance Henriksen

Lance Henriksen appears in about 200 movies and 80 television shows for roughly 280 total projects. His films include ‘Aliens’ and ‘The Terminator’. Television work features the series ‘Millennium’ and guest roles on thrillers and crime shows. He is a frequent presence in science fiction and horror projects.

Stephen Tobolowsky

Stephen Tobolowsky counts around 130 movies and 160 television shows for an estimated 290 total projects. Film credits include ‘Groundhog Day’ and ‘Memento’. On television he has recurring roles and guest spots in series such as ‘The Goldbergs’ and ‘Silicon Valley’. His career covers sitcoms, cable dramas, and feature films.

Richard Riehle

Richard Riehle has approximately 210 movies and 110 television shows for near 320 total projects. Films include ‘Office Space’ and ‘Glory’. Television credits range from ‘The West Wing’ to ‘NCIS’ with steady guest appearances. He is widely cast in supporting parts across comedy and drama.

Udo Kier

Udo Kier appears in about 260 movies and 75 television shows for roughly 335 total projects. His films include ‘Blade’ and ‘Downsizing’. Television entries span European and American productions with recurring and guest roles. He frequently collaborates on international art house projects and genre films.

Christopher Lee

Christopher Lee lists around 280 movies and 70 television shows for about 350 total projects. His film work features ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy and the ‘Star Wars’ prequels. Television includes miniseries and guest appearances across several decades. His career covers horror, fantasy, and historical epics.

Danny Trejo

Danny Trejo has roughly 310 movies and 100 television shows for about 410 total projects. Films include ‘Machete’ and ‘Heat’. Television work features appearances in ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Sons of Anarchy’. He continues to work across action, crime, and comedy in film and TV.

John Carradine

John Carradine appears in approximately 360 movies and 85 television shows for near 445 total projects. His films include classics such as ‘Stagecoach’ and ‘The Grapes of Wrath’. Television credits span anthology programs and guest turns over many years. His body of work stretches from the 1930s to the 1980s.

James Hong

James Hong counts about 320 movies and 190 television shows for roughly 510 total projects. Films include ‘Big Trouble in Little China’ and ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’. Television work ranges from ‘Seinfeld’ to ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ with extensive voice acting. His credits cover live action and animation across multiple eras.

Eric Roberts

Eric Roberts has appeared in roughly 520 movies and 130 television shows for about 650 total projects. His films range from independent features to major releases including ‘The Dark Knight’ and ‘Runaway Train’. Television entries include recurring roles in series such as ‘Heroes’ and ‘Suits’. His output spans action, drama, and thriller projects across film and television.

Tell us who you think is the most prolific performer today and share any names you would add in the comments.