Let’s be real—some actors appear to be everywhere. From classic blockbuster films to the type of films you catch on late-night TV, their faces appear so much that you can’t help but ask: How many movies has this actor worked on? It just so happens that some actors have taken “never not working” to a new extreme.
From silent-screen icons to workhorses of today, here’s the countdown of the 10 most productive actors of all time. The credits are gigantic, the careers are mind-boggling, and yes—some of these names may surprise you.
10. Bela Lugosi (113 credits) – Horror’s Original Icon
Before vampires as tortured romantics or sparkly, Bela Lugosi introduced us to the canonical Dracula in 1931—and to a shiver that would never fully depart from Hollywood. With 113 credits, Lugosi started in Hungary and Germany before scaring American audiences in classics such as The Raven and Son of Frankenstein. Noted Collider, his signature appearance and voice defined horror monsters for generations, even if it cost him being typecast in the spookiest of roles.
9. Bette Davis (124 credits) – The Golden Age’s Reigning Diva
Bette Davis was not only a star—she was a phenomenon. With 124 titles on her filmography, Davis injected fire, wit, and substance into every character, from All About Eve to Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?. Across almost 50 years, she won two Academy Awards and hardly ever slowed down. According to Collider, she was one of the most stubborn and energetic women ever to appear on screen.
8. Nicolas Cage (125 credits) – The Unstoppable Wild Card
You never really know what you’re in for with Nicolas Cage—and that’s all part of the pleasure. With a staggering 125 credits (and counting), Cage has done it all: Oscar-winning acting (Leaving Las Vegas), bone-jarring action (Face/Off), and offbeat cult classics (Mandy, Longlegs). As Collider notes, his work shows no indication of abating—and honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
7. Jackie Chan (152 credits) – The Master of Action and Comedy
Jackie Chan is not merely a stunt legend; he’s a movie marathon runner. With 152 movies to his black belt, Chan began acting as a child in Hong Kong and went on to reimagine action-comedy in movies such as Drunken Master, Rush Hour, and, most recently, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. His work ethic, as Collider points out, is almost as legendary as his injuries.
6. Christopher Lee (211 credits) – The Franchise Heavyweight
Christopher Lee didn’t merely appear in iconic films—he racked up franchises. With 211 film credits, Lee frightened and impressed viewers as Dracula, Count Dooku, Saruman, and many more. As Far Out Magazine observes, his filmography encompasses horror, fantasy, and sci-fi, and ranks him as one of the thelongest-lastingg and most versatile actors in history.
5. Danny Trejo (215 credits) – The Go-To Tough Guy
If you’ve seen an action film in the last three decades, chances are Danny Trejo made an appearance. With 215 film roles, Trejo turned a real-life tough past into one of Hollywood’s most fascinating careers. From Machete to Heat, he’s done it all. As Far Out Magazine puts it, Trejo is the ultimate scene-stealing badass.
4. John Carradine (222 credits) – The Chameleon of Classic Cinema
John Carradine’s body of work is a masterclass in versatility. With 222 acting credits, he effortlessly shifted from prestige dramas such as The Grapes of Wrath to low-budget horror movies. With his booming voice and theatrical style, Carradine was one of Hollywood’s most dependable—and prolific—character actors.
3. Gertrude Astor (276 credits) – Silent Film’s Unsung MVP
Gertrude Astor might not be a familiar name these days, but with 276 credits to her name, she was a silent-era powerhouse—and beyond. She transitioned to sound films and continued working well into the 1960s, appearing even in The Sound of Music. Astor was the testament that versatility is the secret to longevity in Hollywood.
2. Eric Roberts (455 credits) – The Indie Film Ironman
Eric Roberts may be the busiest man in town. With 455 credits (and counting) in films, Roberts has turned himself into an indie cult icon, B-movie staple, and occasional big-budget success story. According to Far Out Magazine, he’s worked consistently since the ’80s, never afraid of a new gig—big or small.
1. Bess Flowers (972 credits) – The Unrivaled Queen of Extras
And the award goes to… Bess Flowers. With a mind-boggling 972 film credits, she wasn’t often center stage—but she was ubiquitous. The “Queen of Hollywood Extras,” Flowers worked for 40+ years and appeared in such classics as Double Indemnity, Rear Window, and The Manchurian Candidate. As Silentology explains, it’s almost a game for classic movie enthusiasts to try to spot her in the background.
Honorable Mentions: The Silent Film MVPs
The silent era cranked out a lot of movies in rapid fire—particularly shorts—and some actors made the most of it. Chester Conklin (306 credits), King Baggot (361), Dot Farley (370), Oliver Hardy (418), Edgar Kennedy and Vernon Dent (448 each), Leo White (482), and Francis Ford (496) all accumulated mind-boggling totals. But the true standout? Irving Bacon with a mind-blowing 542 films to his credit.
Yeah, it can be tricky to count film credits—lost films, uncredited cameos, and TV appearances cloud the numbers. But this much is certain: these actors didn’t create careers—they created legacies. So the next time you catch a familiar face hanging around in the background of a classic movie, you may be staring into the eyes of one of cinema’s most prolific legends.