Actor
Claire McDowell
Born 31 October 1877 · New York City, New York, USA — died 23 October 1966
Claire McDowell (1877–1966) was an American actress who appeared in hundreds of films from the silent era into the mid-1940s. She began in early shorts as a leading lady, then became a reliable character actress, often playing mothers, including in The Big Parade and Ben-Hur (both 1925).
Key films
The Big Parade (1925)
One of the biggest silent hits; she played a mother in King Vidor's landmark war drama.
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925)On Cinespective
She played a mother in this major silent spectacle, one of the era's biggest productions.
The Mark of Zorro (1920)
Appeared in Douglas Fairbanks's influential swashbuckler, alongside her husband Charles Hill Mailes.
It Happened One Night (1934)
Appeared in Frank Capra's celebrated comedy, her most widely seen sound-era credit.
Boys Town (1938)
Sound-era character role in a popular, acclaimed MGM drama.
Key awards
No major awards are documented here.
On Cinespective
Full filmography · 253
- 1908The Call of the Wild · as Party GuestActor
- 1908The DevilActor
- 1908The Planter's Wife · as Mrs. John HollandActor
- 1910The Usurer · as Despairing Mother / One of the Third DebtorsActor
- 1910Wilful Peggy · as HousemaidActor
- 1910Rose o' Salem TownActor
- 1910A Flash of Light · as At First PartyActor
- 1910Love Among the RosesActor
- 1910The Oath and the Man · as RebelActor
- 1910The Golden Supper · as Lady-in-WaitingActor
- 1910Muggsy Becomes a Hero · as One of the Sisters FrostActor
- 1910His New LidActor
- 1910Waiter No. 5 · as The Chief of Police's WifeActor
- 1910A Mohawk's WayActor
- 1910The IconoclastActor
- 1910The Message of the Violin · as The Other Woman's ServantActor
- 1911His Trust · as Col. Frazier's wifeActor
- 1911His Trust Fulfilled · as Mrs. FrazierActor
- 1911Swords and Hearts · as Irene LambertActor
- 1911What Shall We Do with Our Old? · as The Old Carpenter's WifeActor
- 1911A Country Cupid · as The Half-Wit's MotherActor
- 1911The Squaw's Love · as Silver FawnActor
- 1911Fate's Turning · as At Hotel/At WeddingActor
- 1911The Manicure Lady · as Lunchroom HostessActor
- 1911The Adventures of Billy · as Rich WomanActor
- 1911The Primal Call · as The WomanActor
- 1911The UnveilingActor
- 1911A Decree of Destiny · as A NunActor
- 1911The Long Road · as Ned's WifeActor
- 1911Fisher Folks · as At FairActor
- 1911A Woman Scorned · as The Doctor's WifeActor
- 1911The Spanish Gypsy · as PaulaActor
- 1911The Broken Cross · as Kate's MotherActor
- 1911The Sorrowful Example · as The WifeActor
- 1912The New York Hat · as The Main GossipActor
- 1912The Massacre · as Stephen's Belle - In PrologueActor
- 1912The Old Actor · as At AuditionActor
- 1912The Female of the Species · as The Miner's WifeActor
- 1912The Sunbeam · as The SpinsterActor
- 1912Man's Genesis · as Cave WomanActor
- 1912Lena and the Geese · as Lena's MotherActor
- 1912So Near, Yet So Far · as Rich Woman in Other TownActor
- 1912The Sands of Dee · as Artist's fianceeActor
- 1912The School Teacher and the Waif · as The Street Fakir's SweetheartActor
- 1912Under Burning Skies · as The FriendActor
- 1912Billy's Stratagem · as Billy's MotherActor
- 1912A Temporary Truce · as Mexican Jim's WifeActor
- 1912The Baby and the Stork · as The WorkmanActor
- 1912When the Fire-Bells Rang · as An ActressActor
- 1912Two Daughters of Eve · as The MotherActor
- 1912In the Aisles of the Wild · as The Elder DaughterActor
- 1912A Cry for Help · as The Thief's Wife - the Charity PatientActor
- 1912A Sailor’s Heart · as The Sailor's Third SweetheartActor
- 1912A String of Pearls · as The Italian Shoemaker's WifeActor
- 1912The God Within · as The Woodsman's WifeActor
- 1913The House of Darkness · as The Doctor's WifeActor
- 1913The Wanderer · as The Female LoverActor
- 1913The Telephone Girl and the Lady · as The LadyActor
- 1913The Switchtower · as The Switchman's WifeActor
- 1913The Strong Man's Burden · as Ida Glynn, The NurseActor
- 1913The Law and His Son · as Marguerite, Manning's SisterActor
- 1913Under the Shadow of the Law · as John Haywood's SisterActor
- 1913The Van Nostrand Tiara · as KateActor
- 1913For Her GovernmentActor
- 1913I Was Meant for You · as LavinaActor
- 1913All for Science · as DetectiveActor
- 1913The Work Habit · as The Daughter in the CityActor
- 1913The Detective's Stratagem · as Kate, the Bank Clerk's SweetheartActor
- 1913The Stopped Clock · as The Antique Dealer's DaughterActor
- 1913A Gamble with Death · as KateActor
- 1913The Unwelcome Guest · as The WifeActor
- 1913The Tenderfoot's Money · as The Prospector's WifeActor
- 1913A Misappropriated Turkey · as Mrs. Fallon / Widow LoganActor
- 1913The Wrong Bottle · as The Blind SisterActor
- 1913The Stolen Loaf · as The Rich WomanActor
- 1913The Ranchero's Revenge · as The Schemer's AssociateActor
- 1913The Well · as The Farmer's WifeActor
- 1913The Enemy's Baby · as Miller's WifeActor
- 1913A Gambler's Honor · as BethActor
- 1913The Mirror · as DaisyActor
- 1913The Vengeance of Galora · as GaloraActor
- 1913The Crook and the Girl · as The Uncle's Adopted DaughterActor
- 1913The Stolen Treaty · as OlgaActor
- 1913The Abandoned Well · as The WidowActor
- 1913The House of Discord · as The Sister-in-LawActor
- 1913Olaf—An Atom · as A ParentActor
- 1913The Stolen Bride · as The WifeActor
- 1913A Tender-Hearted Crook · as EdithActor
- 1914Her Hand · as OlgaActor
- 1914The Fatal WeddingActor
- 1914Concentration · as The MotherActor
- 1914WaifsActor
- 1914His Fireman's Conscience · as Mrs. DailyActor
- 1914A Nest Unfeathered · as KateActor
- 1914Her Father's Silent PartnerActor
- 1914The Cracksman's GratitudeActor
- 1914Men and Women · as Mrs. Stephen RodmanActor
- 1915The Canceled Mortgage · as The Widowed MotherActor
- 1915Cupid Entangled · as The ActressActor
- 1915The Sheriff's Dilemma · as MollyActor
- 1915The Miser's Legacy · as The Crook's WifeActor
- 1915The Gambler's I.O.U. · as Nell - Daddy Wilson's DaughterActor
- 1915A Day's Adventure · as Hogan's MollActor
- 1915Truth Stranger Than Fiction · as CrookActor
- 1915Her Dormant Love · as The Discontented WifeActor
- 1915The Way Out · as The Young School TeacherActor
- 1915Her Convert · as The Old Inventor's DaughterActor
- 1915Old Offenders · as Joe's WifeActor
- 1915As It Happened · as The Ranchman's DaughterActor
- 1915The Heart of a Bandit · as ClaireActor
- 1916The Right to Be Happy · as Mrs. CratchitActor
- 1916A Stranger from Somewhere · as OlgaActor
- 1916Mixed Blood · as Nita ValyezActor
- 1917The White Raven · as DaisyActor
- 1917The Storm WomanActor
- 1917The Empty Gun · as MaryActor
- 1917Avarice · as The Miserly Old WomanActor
- 1917The Clean-Up · as Vera VincentActor
- 1917The Gates of Doom · as Indore / AgathaActor
- 1917The Bronze Bride · as A-Che-CheeActor
- 1918Captain of His Soul · as AnnetteActor
- 1918You Can't Believe Everything · as Grace DardleyActor
- 1918The Return of Mary · as Mrs. John Denby Sr.Actor
- 1919Heart o' the Hills · as Martha HawnActor
- 1919Prudence on Broadway · as Miss GraysonActor
- 1919The Follies Girl · as NinaActor
- 1919Rosalind at RedgateActor
- 1919The Feud · as Mary LynchActor
- 1919Chasing Rainbows · as Mrs. WaltersActor
- 1920The Mark of Zorro · as Dona Catalina PulidoActor
- 1920The Jack-Knife Man · as Lize MerdinActor
- 1920Something to Think About · as HousekeeperActor
- 1920The Woman in the Suitcase · as Mrs. James B. MorelandActor
- 1920Through Eyes of Men · as Mrs. Virginia AllActor
- 1920The Gift Supreme · as Lalia GraunActor
- 1920The Devil's Riddle · as Mrs. PottsActor
- 1920Blind Youth · as Elizabeth MonnierActor
- 1921Love Never Dies · as Liz TrottActor
- 1921Midsummer Madness · as Mrs. OsborneActor
- 1921Wealth · as Mrs. DominickActor
- 1921Prisoners of Love · as Her MotherActor
- 1921What Every Woman Knows · as Comtesse de la BrièreActor
- 1921Mother o' Mine · as Mrs. SheldonActor
- 1922The Ragged Heiress · as Sylvia MoretonActor
- 1922Penrod · as Mrs. SchofieldActor
- 1922Quincy Adams Sawyer · as Mrs. PutnamActor
- 1922Nice People · as Margaret RainsfordActor
- 1922Heart's Haven · as May CarolineActor
- 1922Rent Free · as Countess de MourneyActor
- 1923Black Oxen · as Agnes TrevorActor
- 1923Ashes of Vengeance · as Margot's AuntActor
- 1923Circus Days · as MarthaActor
- 1923The West~Bound Limited · as Mrs. Bill BuckleyActor
- 1923Ponjola · as Mrs. HopeActor
- 1923Human Wreckage · as Mrs. BrownActor
- 1923Michael O'Halloran · as Nancy HardingActor
- 1923Enemies of Children · as Godfrey sisterActor
- 1924Secrets · as Elizabeth ChanningActor
- 1924Those Who Dare · as Mrs. RollinsActor
- 1924Thy Name Is Woman · as Juan's MotherActor
- 1924Judgment of the Storm · as Mrs. HeathActor
- 1925The Big Parade · as Mrs. AppersonActor
- 1925Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ · as Princess of HurActor
- 1925The End of the World · as Mrs. JoyceActor
- 1925Waking Up the Town · as Mrs. JoyceActor
- 1925The Tower of Lies · as KatrinaActor
- 1925The Midnight Flyer · as Liza SlaterActor
- 1925Dollar Down · as Mrs. MeadowsActor
- 1925The Reckless Sex · as ConchaActor
- 1925The End of the World · as Mrs. JoyceActor
- 1926The Devil's Circus · as Mrs. PetersonActor
- 1926The Shamrock Handicap · as Molly O'SheaActor
- 1926The Show Off · as Mom FisherActor
- 1926The Unknown Soldier · as John Phillips' sisterActor
- 1926The Dixie Merchant · as Josephine FippanyActor
- 1926The Flaming Forest · as Mrs. McTavishActor
- 1927The Shield of Honor · as Mrs. MacDowellActor
- 1927Almost Human · as Mrs. LivingstonActor
- 1927The Taxi Dancer · as Aunt MaryActor
- 1927Winds of the Pampas · as Doña Maria CasandosActor
- 1927A Little Journey · as Aunt LouiseActor
- 1927The Auctioneer · as Mrs. Tim EaganActor
- 1927Tillie the Toiler · as Ma JonesActor
- 1927The Black Diamond Express · as Martha FosterActor
- 1928The Viking · as Lady Editha (as Claire MacDowell)Actor
- 19284 Devils · as WomanActor
- 1928The Tragedy of Youth · as MotherActor
- 1928Marriage by Contract · as MotherActor
- 1928Don't Marry · as Aunt Abigail BowenActor
- 1929The Flying Fleet · as Mrs. Hastings (uncredited)Actor
- 1929When Dreams Come True · as Martha ShelbyActor
- 1929Silks and Saddles · as Mrs. CalhounActor
- 1929The Quitter · as Mrs. AbbottActor
- 1930The Big House · as Mrs. MarloweActor
- 1930Redemption · as Anna PavlovnaActor
- 1930Mothers Cry · as Mary's MotherActor
- 1930Young Desire · as Mrs. SpencerActor
- 1930Wild Company · as Mrs. Laura GraysonActor
- 1930Brothers · as Bess NaughtonActor
- 1930The Second Floor Mystery · as Aunt HattieActor
- 1931An American Tragedy · as Mrs. Samuel GriffithsActor
- 1931Manhattan Parade · as Nancy - the MaidActor
- 1932Union Depot · as Little Boy's Mother (uncredited)Actor
- 1932Under Eighteen · as Seamstress (uncredited)Actor
- 1932Lawyer Man · as Gilmurry's Secretary (uncredited)Actor
- 1932The Strange Love of Molly Louvain · as Ann Marie's Caregiver Mrs. Schiller (uncredited)Actor
- 1932The Phantom Express · as Ma NolanActor
- 1932A Successful Calamity · as Struthers' Secretary (uncredited)Actor
- 1932The Famous Ferguson Case · as Brooks' Landlady (uncredited)Actor
- 1932Cornered · as Jane's AuntActor
- 1933Wild Boys of the Road · as Mrs. SmithActor
- 1933Central Airport · as Mrs. BlaineActor
- 1933The Working Man · as Benjamin's SecretaryActor
- 1933By Appointment Only · as Mrs. Mary CarrollActor
- 1934It Happened One Night · as Mother on Bus (uncredited)Actor
- 1934Imitation of Life · as Teacher Outside Classroom (uncredited)Actor
- 1934British Agent · as Woman Saying 'Lenin will Live' (uncredited)Actor
- 1934Journal of a Crime · as Sister at Hospital (uncredited)Actor
- 1934Bedside · as NurseActor
- 1934Dr. Monica · as Miss Bryerly (uncredited)Actor
- 1934Two Heads on a Pillow · as Mrs. Helen GormanActor
- 1935Murder by Television · as Mrs. HoughlandActor
- 1936Small Town Girl · as Woman in Bed (uncredited)Actor
- 1936August Week End · as Alma WashburneActor
- 1937A Night at the Movies · as Movie Patron (uncredited)Actor
- 1937Two-Fisted Sheriff · as Miss Herrick - Molly's AuntActor
- 1937Song of Revolt · as Artistocratic Dowager (uncredited)Actor
- 1938Boys Town · as Nun (uncredited)Actor
- 1938Test Pilot · as Funeral Home Associate (uncredited)Actor
- 1938Three Comrades · as Landlady Frau Zalewski (uncredited)Actor
- 1938They're Always Caught · as Mrs. Fletcher (uncredited)Actor
- 1938The Man on the Rock · as Napoleon's Mother (uncredited)Actor
- 1939Miracles for Sale · as Jack of Diamonds WomanActor
- 1939Idiot's Delight · as Crying MotherActor
- 1939Thunder Afloat · as Nurse (uncredited)Actor
- 1939Stand Up and Fight · as WomanActor
- 1939Angel of Mercy · as Mother (uncredited)Actor
- 1939One Against the World · as Jane Todd Crawford (uncredited)Actor
- 1939Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President · as GossiperActor
- 1940Young Tom Edison · as Woman at StationActor
- 1940Dr. Kildare Goes Home · as Nurse for Mr. Winslow (uncredited)Actor
- 1940The Golden Fleecing · as Pedestrian (uncredited)Actor
- 1940A Failure at Fifty · as Minor Role (uncredited)Actor
- 1941Lady Scarface · as Mrs. TuckermanActor
- 1941Whispers · as Gossip (uncredited)Actor
- 1943Hangmen Also Die! · as Counterwoman (uncredited)Actor
- 1943This Land Is Mine · as Woman in BathroomActor
- 1943Keeper of the FlameActor
- 1943Du Barry Was a Lady · as Subway Passenger (uncredited)Actor
- 1943Presenting Lily Mars · as DowagerActor
- 1944Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble · as Dr. Standish's Servant (uncredited)Actor
- 1944Men on Her Mind · as Mother GoodwinActor
- 1945Adventure · as Woman in Library (uncredited)Actor
Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.