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Frances Sternhagen

Frances Sternhagen

Actor · Died November 27, 2023, aged 93 · Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Frances Hussey Sternhagen (January 13, 1930 – November 27, 2023) was an American actress. Sternhagen appeared on and off Broadway, in movies, and on TV beginning in the 1950s, won a Tony, and was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 13, 1930
Died
November 27, 2023 (aged 93)
From
Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
34 on MovieCove · 69 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 26Up 1% in 30 days

What are Frances Sternhagen's films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 58th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile
: browse their Comedy 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
27%
Self
27%
Morality
14%
Society
11%
Power
8%
Survival
7%
Ideas
5%
Family bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth3 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 18 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 6 · Dark 7

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

Grounded 12 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 1

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

Gentle 6 · Charged 7 · Intense 5

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

A split, not a type: Steady 9 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 4

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 9 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 2

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

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 1

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

Casual 8 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 2

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 6 · Affecting 4 · Heavy 8

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

Resolved 14 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

10 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 5 of 10 analyzed roles.

Ally
5 of 10
Mentor
3 of 10
Herald
1 of 10
Trickster
1 of 10
Show the 10 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
9
Dread
5
Warm
6
Melancholic
6
Contemplative
7
Other
15

How their films linger

Hopeful10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteDevastating2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet5
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous3

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 Frances Sternhagen's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 23 of their 34 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (6).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Frances Sternhagen'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

69 credits, 34 with a MovieCove page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • And So It Goes(2014)

    as Claire

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Pearl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Pearl

  • Prohibition(2011)

    Show 3 episodes · as Reader (voice)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Dolphin Tale(2011)

    as Gloria Forrest

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Parenthood(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Blanche Braverman

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Julie & Julia(2009)

    as Irma Rombauer

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • When Darkness Came: The Making of 'The Mist' (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Thanks · as Self

  • The Mist(2007)

    as Irene Reppler

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • The Closer(2005)

    Show 15 episodes · as Willie Ray Johnson

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Highway(2002)

    as Mrs. Murray

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Laramie Project(2002)

    as Marge Murray

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • It All Came True(1998)

    as Amy

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Sex and the City(1998)

    Show 10 episodes · as Bunny MacDougal

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • To Live Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Constance Holmes

  • The Con (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Hadabelle

  • The Outer Limits(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Jean Anderson

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Reunion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Tobie Yates

  • ER(1994)

    Show 19 episodes · as Millicent Carter

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Vault of Horror I (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Effie Gluckman (archive footage)

  • The Road Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 6 episodes · as Charlotte Babineaux

  • Labor of Love: The Arlette Schweitzer Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Mary Rafferty

  • The Donner Party (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as voice

  • Raising Cain(1992)

    as Dr. Lynn Waldheim

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • She Woke Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Noelle DuVausant

  • Doc Hollywood(1991)

    as Lillian, Welcoming Committee

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Golden Years (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Gina Williams

  • Golden Years (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 7 episodes · as Gina Williams

  • Coney Island (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as (voice)

  • Misery(1990)

    as Virginia

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Sibling Rivalry(1990)

    as Rose Turner

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Estelle Muller · as Margaret Langdon

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Follow Your Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Cloe Sixbury

  • The Simpsons(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Bellamy (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Communion(1989)

    as Dr. Janet Duffy

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Tales from the Crypt(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Effie Gluckman (segment "None But the Lonely Heart")

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • See You in the Morning(1989)

    as Neenie

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • American Experience(1988)

    Show 5 episodes · as (voice) · as Self (voice)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Bright Lights, Big City(1988)

    as Clara

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Once Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Esther

  • The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Dora

  • At Mother's Request (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 2 episodes · as Berenice Bradshaw

  • Resting Place(1986)

    as Eudora McCallister

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Spencer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 13 episodes · Actor

  • The Dining Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Various

  • Prototype(1983)

    as Dorothy Forrester

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Romantic Comedy(1983)

    as Blanche Dailey

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Independence Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Carla Taylor

  • Cheers(1982)

    Show 7 episodes · as Esther Clavin

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Outland(1981)

    as Dr. Lazarus

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Mary Richards

  • Mother and Daughter: The Loving War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Mrs. Lloyd

  • Starting Over(1979)

    as Marva Potter

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Who'll Save Our Children?(1978)

    as Nellie Henderson

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Fedora(1978)

    as Miss Balfour

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Andros Targets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Mason

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

    as Paulina

  • Two People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Mrs. McCluskey

  • The Rimers of Eldritch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Wilma Atkins

  • The Hospital(1971)

    as Mrs. Cushing

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Great Performances (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Paulina · as Wilma Atkins

  • Up the Down Staircase(1967)

    as Charlotte Wolf, School Librarian

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Soldier in Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Abigail

  • Profiles in Courage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Miss Koeller

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

    Show 1,547 episodes · Actor

  • The Secret Storm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 319 episodes · Actor

  • Omnibus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Abigail · as Mrs. McAlister

  • Robert Montgomery Presents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Who

  • Studio One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Show 1 episode · as Betty - Secretary · as Mary

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 69 titles from 1948 to 2014; peak year 1991.

Biggest box office

Dolphin Tale (2011)

$96M worldwide

Highest rated

Misery (1990)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

The Mist (2007)

Film career

19482014

Peak 1991 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 3 MovieCove titles. 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
Acting68 of 69: 68 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score75thOther crew1 of 69: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

1940s1 · acting1950s4 · acting1960s4 · acting1970s9 · acting1980s19 · acting1990s21 · acting2000s6 · 5 acting · 1 crew2010s5 · acting

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 0% of 20 roles
678292

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.

How do Frances Sternhagen's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 58th percentile, the median of all 23; across their 18 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 51st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Approval · how many liked their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Reach · how many have seen their films

81stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Midcredits score across 34 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up17
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 34 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Crowd Pleaser20
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed8

Most divisive · actor

American Experience (1988)

60th percentile spread · 11% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Misery (1990)

Midcredits 98th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 72/100 in their films, across 17 reviewed titles; fans 81, 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 Frances Sternhagen's work okay for kids?

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

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore8 titles25–86 · median 51 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity11 titles9–46 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity10 titles18–62 · median 55 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs7 titles34–64 · median 40 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense8 titles21–90 · median 50 · 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 Frances Sternhagen work with?

People who share at least 2 of Frances Sternhagen's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Liz Glotzer shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers