Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Cathy O'Donnell, actor
Actor

Cathy O'Donnell: Movies & Box Office

films
15
on screen
1946–1958
box office
$23.7M
Born
July 6, 1923
Birthplace
Siluria, Alabama, U.S.
Full name
Ann Steely
Citizenship
American
Occupations
actress
Years active
1945-1964
Spouses
Robert Wyler
Career at a glance

Cathy O'Donnell's Career in Numbers

Cathy O'Donnell's films in numbers — as an actor, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres Cathy O'Donnell works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) to My World Dies Screaming (1958), and the 1950s were the busiest decade.

Cathy O'Donnell Movies by Decade

  1. 1940s 5
  2. 1950s 10

The 1950s were Cathy O'Donnell's busiest decade, with 10 films.

Cathy O'Donnell Movies by Genre

  • Drama 7
  • Horror 2
  • Western 2
  • Crime 2
  • Sci-Fi 1
  • Romance 1

Drama is the genre Cathy O'Donnell has worked in most, with 7 films, ahead of horror (2).

Cathy O'Donnell Career Milestones

Biggest box office hit
The Best Years of Our Lives $23.7M worldwide
15 credits

Cathy O'Donnell Filmography: Every Movie

Every film Cathy O'Donnell is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.

Biography

Who Is Cathy O'Donnell?

Cathy O'Donnell was born in Siluria, Alabama, U.S. in 1923. Credited on films since 1946, as an actor. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.

Cathy O'Donnell, born as Ann Steely (July 6, 1923 – April 11, 1970) was a notable American actress known for her roles in popular films like The Best Years of Our Lives, Ben-Hur, Detective Story and They Live by Night. Born in Siluria, Alabama, her early interest in acting shaped her career path. At the age of twelve, her family moved to Oklahoma City where she worked as a stenographer for a U.S. Army induction center after high school graduation. There, she studied acting at Oklahoma City University, appearing as Juliet in a college production of Romeo and Juliet. Cathy O'Donnell's career breakthrough happened during a trip to Hollywood, where an agent of Samuel Goldwyn noticed her. Despite her heavily accented English, Goldwyn put her under contract, paving her path to success in the entertainment industry. Her first major film role came in 1946's The Best Years of Our Lives. She continued to make a name for herself in the film industry with strong performances in They Live by Night, The Miniver Story, Detective Story, and The Man from Laramie, among others. O'Donnell also made a number of appearances in 1960s TV shows, with her last screen appearance in 1964. She passed away on her 22nd wedding anniversary after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Works with

Who Cathy O'Donnell Makes Movies With

The actors and directors Cathy O'Donnell shares the most films with. William Wyler comes first, with 2 films together, followed by Gladys George (2).

FAQ

Cathy O'Donnell: Questions & Answers

How many movies Cathy O'Donnell has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.

How many movies has Cathy O'Donnell been in?

Cathy O'Donnell is credited on 15 films, from 1946 to 1958. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.

What is Cathy O'Donnell's highest-grossing movie?

The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) is Cathy O'Donnell's biggest box office hit, with $23.7M worldwide, ahead of The Man from Laramie (1955) ($6.32K). Across every film with box office figures, Cathy O'Donnell's movies have made $23.7M.

Cathy O'Donnell's biggest hits

What is Cathy O'Donnell's newest movie?

The most recent film on Cathy O'Donnell's filmography is My World Dies Screaming (1958), in the role of Sheila Wayne Tierney (as Kathy O'Donnell).

Who does Cathy O'Donnell work with most often?

Cathy O'Donnell shares the most films with William Wyler (2 films), Gladys George (2 films) and Anthony Mann (2 films).

The Best Cathy O'Donnell Movies, Ranked

Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 15 credits.

See the ranking

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app