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Donna Murphy

Donna Murphy

Actor · Born March 7, 1959 (67) · Corona, New York, USA

Screen Actors Guild Award nominee

​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Donna Murphy (born March 7, 1959) is an American stage, film, television actress and singer. Murphy has won two Tony Awards for Best Actress in a Musical for her roles in Passion as Fosca and in The King and I as Anna Leonowens. She received three more Tony Award nominations for Best Actress in a Musical for her performances in Wonderful Town as Ruth Sherwood,Lovemusik as Lotte Lenya and The People in the Picture as Raisel/Bubbie. She is known, most recently, for her role as Mother Gothel in the animated Disney film Tangled (2010), Anij, Captain Jean-Luc Picard's love interest, in Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) and her numerous stage roles in musical theatre. Description above from the Wikipedia article Donna Murphy, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 7, 1959 (67)
From
Corona, New York, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
41 on MovieCove · 51 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 63 days to Oct 26Down 27% in 30 days

What are Donna Murphy's films like?

Across their 17 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Morality.

Genres

Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 65th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 76th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile
: browse their Biography 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
Self
39%
Morality
16%
Bonds
15%
Society
12%
Survival
10%
Power
9%
Identity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 14 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 5 · Serious 4 · Dark 5

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 7 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 2

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

Gentle 4 · Charged 6 · Intense 4

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

Steady 5 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 1

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

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 1

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

Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 0

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 8 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 2

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 8 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

9 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 3 of 9 analyzed roles.

Ally
3 of 9
Mentor
3 of 9
Herald
2 of 9
Shadow
1 of 9
Show the 9 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Melancholic
9
Hopeful
6
Bittersweet
5
Dread
3
Other
16

How their films linger

Hopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet7
  • Ambiguous5

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 Donna Murphy's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 32 of their 41 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Hulu (8).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Donna Murphy'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

51 credits, 41 with a MovieCove page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Brilliant Minds(2024)

    Show 13 episodes · as Muriel Landon

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • The Gilded Age(2022)

    Show 19 episodes · as Lina Astor

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Gossip Girl(2021)

    Show 4 episodes · as Vivian Burton

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all shows

  • Anastasia(2020)

    as Yara the Enchantress

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure(2017)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mother Gothel (voice)

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • No Pay, Nudity(2016)

    as Pearl

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Mercy Street(2016)

    Show 12 episodes · as Jane Green

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Quantico(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Rebecca Sherman

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all shows

  • Resurrection(2013)

    Show 8 episodes · as The Elegant Woman

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Six by Sondheim(2013)

    as Fosca (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • House of Versace(2013)

    as Maria

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Blacklist(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Sophia Quayle

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Made in Jersey(2012)

    Show 2 episodes · as Darlene Garretti

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows

  • The Bourne Legacy(2012)

    as Dita Mandy

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Dark Horse(2011)

    as Marie

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Higher Ground(2011)

    as Kathleen Walker

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Tangled(2010)

    as Mother Gothel (voice)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Good Wife(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Alice Adelson

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • The Mentalist(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Deandra Sunderland

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The Nanny Diaries(2007)

    as Judy Braddock

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Damages(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Nancy

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • The Fountain(2006)

    as Betty

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Ugly Betty(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Eve

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Blair

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • World Trade Center(2006)

    as Judy Jonas

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Ira & Abby(2006)

    as Dr. Betsy Goldman

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • The Door in the Floor(2004)

    as Frame Shop Owner

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Spider-Man 2(2004)

    as Rosalie Octavius

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Hack (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 16 episodes · as Heather Olshansky

  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Maureen Pagolis

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • What About Joan? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 21 episodes · as Dr. Ruby Stern

  • The Last Debate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Joan Naylor

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Annie Kramer

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Center Stage(2000)

    as Juliette

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Raye Massey

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • The Astronaut's Wife(1999)

    as Natalie Streck

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Star Trek: Insurrection(1998)

    as Anij

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • October 22 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Carole

  • The Day Lincoln Was Shot(1998)

    as Mary Todd Lincoln

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Liberty! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 6 episodes · as Abigail Adams

  • Nothing Sacred (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Camille

  • Ally McBeal(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Marie Hanson

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • The Practice(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Marie Hanson

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Passion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Fosca

  • Remember WENN(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Ruth Geddy

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Jade(1995)

    as Karen Heller

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Murder One(1995)

    Show 5 episodes · as Francesca Cross

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Lifestories: Families in Crisis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 2 episodes · as Carla Tyrell · as Karen Unger

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Fosca

  • Another World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1,547 episodes · as D.A. Morgan Graves

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 51 titles from 1964 to 2024; peak year 2011.

Biggest box office

Spider-Man 2 (2004)

$788M worldwide

Highest rated

Tangled (2010)

Midcredits 97th

Film career

19642024

Peak 2011 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. 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.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting51 of 51: 51 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score66th

By decade

1960s1 · acting1980s1 · acting1990s15 · acting2000s17 · acting2010s13 · acting2020s4 · acting

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 0% of 14 roles
9505

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; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

Nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2024, Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Donna Murphy's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 58th percentile, the median of all 19; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 55th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

88thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 41 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up18
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

19 of their 41 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved9
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser19
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed10

Most divisive · actor

Anastasia (2020)

86th percentile spread · 73% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Tangled (2010)

Midcredits 97th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 68/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 42. 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 Donna Murphy's work okay for kids?

Across up to 11 MovieCove titles with content scores, frightening / intense runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore8 titles24–73 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity11 titles18–46 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity9 titles22–62 · median 31 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs7 titles16–42 · median 31 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense8 titles20–67 · median 49 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Donna Murphy work with?

People who share at least 2 of Donna Murphy's MovieCove titles; Tim Metcalfe shares the most, 2.