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Joe Sawyer, actor
Actor

Joe Sawyer: Movies & Box Office

films
95
on screen
1931–1993
box office
$265K
Born
August 29, 1906
Birthplace
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Full name
Joseph Sauers
Citizenship
Canadian
Occupations
Actor
Years active
1930-1962
Biggest hits

The Best Joe Sawyer Movies

The films of Joe Sawyer that made the most at the worldwide box office, biggest first: Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey (1993) leads with $253K. The full ranking adds the most awarded films and the newest releases.

Full ranking
Career at a glance

Joe Sawyer's Career in Numbers

Joe Sawyer's films in numbers — as an actor, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres Joe Sawyer works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from Maker of Men (1931) to Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey (1993), and the 1930s were the busiest decade.

Joe Sawyer Movies by Decade

  1. 1930s 43
  2. 1940s 38
  3. 1950s 12
  4. 1960s 1
  5. 1990s 1

The 1930s were Joe Sawyer's busiest decade, with 43 films.

Joe Sawyer Movies by Genre

  • Drama 26
  • Comedy 23
  • Western 15
  • Crime 11
  • Romance 8
  • Music 3
  • Action 3
  • Mystery 3
  • Sci-Fi 2
  • Adventure 1

Drama is the genre Joe Sawyer has worked in most, with 26 films, ahead of comedy (23).

Joe Sawyer Career Milestones

First film
Maker of Men 1931
Biggest box office hit
Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey $253K worldwide
95 credits

Joe Sawyer Filmography: Every Movie

Every film Joe Sawyer 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.

  1. 1993 Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey (1993) movie poster Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey as Frank Daylon (archive footage) (uncredited) · Music
  2. 1960 North to Alaska (1960) movie poster North to Alaska as Land Commissioner · Comedy
  3. 1956 The Killing (1956) movie poster The Killing Drama
  4. 1956 The Kettles in the Ozarks (1956) movie poster The Kettles in the Ozarks as Bancroft Baines · Comedy
  5. 1954 Johnny Dark (1954) movie poster Johnny Dark as Carl Svenson · Drama
  6. 1954 Riding Shotgun (1954) movie poster Riding Shotgun as Tom Biggert · Western
  7. 1954 Taza, Son of Cochise (1954) movie poster Taza, Son of Cochise as Sgt. Hamma · Western
  8. 1953 It Came from Outer Space (1953) movie poster It Came from Outer Space as Frank Daylon · Sci-Fi
  9. 1952 Deadline - U.S.A. (1952) movie poster Deadline - U.S.A. as Whitey Franks (uncredited) · Drama
  10. 1952 Indian Uprising (1952) movie poster Indian Uprising as Sgt. Maj. Phineas T. Keogh · Western
  11. 1951 Comin’ Round the Mountain (1951) movie poster Comin’ Round the Mountain as Kalem McCoy · Music
  12. 1950 The Flying Missile (1950) movie poster The Flying Missile as Fuss Payne · Drama
  13. 1950 Curtain Call at Cactus Creek (1950) movie poster Curtain Call at Cactus Creek as Jake · Comedy
  14. 1950 Blondie’s Hero (1950) movie poster Blondie’s Hero as Sergeant Gateson · Comedy
  15. 1949 Stagecoach Kid (1949) movie poster Stagecoach Kid as Thatcher · Western
  16. 1949 The Lucky Stiff (1949) movie poster The Lucky Stiff as Tony · Crime
  17. 1948 Fighting Father Dunne (1948) movie poster Fighting Father Dunne as Steve Davis · Drama
  18. 1948 Here Comes Trouble (1948) movie poster Here Comes Trouble as Officer Ames · Comedy
  19. 1948 If You Knew Susie (1948) movie poster If You Knew Susie as Zero Zantini · Comedy
  20. 1947 A Double Life (1947) movie poster A Double Life as Pete Bonner · Drama
  21. 1947 Big Town After Dark (1947) movie poster Big Town After Dark as Monk · Crime
  22. 1947 Roses Are Red (1947) movie poster Roses Are Red as Police Lt. Rocky Wall · Crime
  23. 1947 Christmas Eve (1947) movie poster Christmas Eve as Private Detective · Comedy
  24. 1946 Inside Job (1946) movie poster Inside Job as Police Capt. Thomas · Drama
  25. 1946 The Runaround (1946) movie poster The Runaround as Hutchins · Comedy
  26. 1946 Gilda (1946) movie poster Gilda as Casey · Romance
  27. 1946 Deadline at Dawn (1946) movie poster Deadline at Dawn as Babe Dooley · Romance
  28. 1945 The Naughty Nineties (1945) movie poster The Naughty Nineties as Bailey · Comedy
  29. 1945 Brewster’s Millions (1945) movie poster Brewster’s Millions as Hacky Smith · Comedy
  30. 1943 Tarzan’s Desert Mystery (1943) movie poster Tarzan’s Desert Mystery as Karl Straeder · Action
  31. 1943 Tornado (1943) movie poster Tornado as Charlie Muscles · Drama
  32. 1943 Let’s Face It (1943) movie poster Let’s Face It as Sgt. Wiggins · Music
  33. 1943 Hit the Ice (1943) movie poster Hit the Ice as Buster · Comedy
  34. 1943 Buckskin Frontier (1943) movie poster Buckskin Frontier as Brannigan · Western
  35. 1943 The Outlaw (1943) movie poster The Outlaw as Charley Woodruff · Western
  36. 1942 The McGuerins from Brooklyn (1942) movie poster The McGuerins from Brooklyn as Eddie Corbett · Comedy
  37. 1942 Brooklyn Orchid (1942) movie poster Brooklyn Orchid as Eddie Corbett · Comedy
  38. 1942 Hay Foot (1942) movie poster Hay Foot as Sergeant Ames · Romance
  39. 1941 You’re in the Army Now (1941) movie poster You’re in the Army Now as Sergeant Madden · Comedy
  40. 1941 Swamp Water (1941) movie poster Swamp Water as Hardy Ragan · Mystery
  41. 1941 Down Mexico Way (1941) movie poster Down Mexico Way as Allen · Comedy
  42. 1941 Belle Starr (1941) movie poster Belle Starr as John Cole · Western
  43. 1941 Tanks a Million (1941) movie poster Tanks a Million as Sgt. William Ames · Comedy
  44. 1941 The Lady from Cheyenne (1941) movie poster The Lady from Cheyenne as Sheriff 'Noisy' Burkett, Henchman · Western
  45. 1940 Santa Fe Trail (1940) movie poster Santa Fe Trail as Kitzmiller · Western
  46. 1940 The Border Legion (1940) movie poster The Border Legion as Jim Gulden · Western
  47. 1940 The Long Voyage Home (1940) movie poster The Long Voyage Home as Davis · Drama
  48. 1940 Melody Ranch (1940) movie poster Melody Ranch as Jasper Wildhack · Western
  49. 1940 Wildcat Bus (1940) movie poster Wildcat Bus as Burke · Drama
  50. 1940 Dark Command (1940) movie poster Dark Command as Bushropp · Drama
  51. 1940 King of the Lumberjacks (1940) movie poster King of the Lumberjacks as Jigger · Drama
  52. 1940 The House Across the Bay (1940) movie poster The House Across the Bay as Charlie · Drama
  53. 1939 The Roaring Twenties (1939) movie poster The Roaring Twenties as The Sergeant · Crime
  54. 1939 I Stole a Million (1939) movie poster I Stole a Million as Billings · Drama
  55. 1939 Frontier Marshal (1939) movie poster Frontier Marshal as Curley Bill · Western
  56. 1939 Confessions of a Nazi Spy (1939) movie poster Confessions of a Nazi Spy as Werner Renz · Drama
  57. 1939 Union Pacific (1939) movie poster Union Pacific as Shamus (uncredited) · Western
  58. 1939 You Can’t Get Away with Murder (1939) movie poster You Can’t Get Away with Murder as Red · Crime
  59. 1937 San Quentin (1937) movie poster San Quentin as 'Sailor Boy' Hansen · Drama
  60. 1937 They Gave Him a Gun (1937) movie poster They Gave Him a Gun as Doyle - Gangster (uncredited) · Crime
  61. 1937 Black Legion (1937) movie poster Black Legion as Cliff Summers · Crime
  62. 1936 Great Guy (1936) movie poster Great Guy as Joe Burton · Crime
  63. 1936 Two in a Crowd (1936) movie poster Two in a Crowd as Bonelli's Henchman · Comedy
  64. 1936 Murder with Pictures (1936) movie poster Murder with Pictures as Inspector Tom Bacon · Crime
  65. 1936 Special Investigator (1936) movie poster Special Investigator as Jim Plummer · Romance
  66. 1936 The Country Doctor (1936) movie poster The Country Doctor as Joe, the Logger Lifting Log (uncredited) · Drama
  67. 1936 The Walking Dead (1936) movie poster The Walking Dead as 'Trigger' Smith · Sci-Fi
  68. 1936 The Petrified Forest (1936) movie poster The Petrified Forest as Jackie · Drama
  69. 1935 Freshman Love (1935) movie poster Freshman Love as Coach Kendall · Comedy
  70. 1935 Man of Iron (1935) movie poster Man of Iron as Crawford · Drama
  71. 1935 Frisco Kid (1935) movie poster Frisco Kid as Slugs Crippen (as Joseph Sawyer) · Romance
  72. 1935 Moonlight on the Prairie (1935) movie poster Moonlight on the Prairie as Luke Thomas · Western
  73. 1935 Special Agent (1935) movie poster Special Agent Drama
  74. 1935 Broadway Gondolier (1935) movie poster Broadway Gondolier as 'Red' · Comedy
  75. 1935 The Arizonian (1935) movie poster The Arizonian as Henchman Keeler · Western
  76. 1935 The Informer (1935) movie poster The Informer Drama
  77. 1935 Car 99 (1935) movie poster Car 99 as Whitey, burly henchman · Crime
  78. 1935 The Whole Town’s Talking (1935) movie poster The Whole Town’s Talking as Mannion's Thug (uncredited) · Crime
  79. 1934 Sequoia (1934) movie poster Sequoia as Forest Ranger (uncredited) · Adventure
  80. 1934 College Rhythm (1934) movie poster College Rhythm as Spud Miller · Romance
  81. 1934 The Case of the Howling Dog (1934) movie poster The Case of the Howling Dog as Carl Trask (uncredited) · Mystery
  82. 1934 Death on the Diamond (1934) movie poster Death on the Diamond as "Dunc" Spencer · Mystery
  83. 1934 The Notorious Sophie Lang (1934) movie poster The Notorious Sophie Lang as Building Guard (uncredited) · Drama
  84. 1934 Sing and Like It (1934) movie poster Sing and Like It as Gunner - Hood · Comedy
  85. 1934 Looking for Trouble (1934) movie poster Looking for Trouble as Max Stanley · Comedy
  86. 1934 Jimmy the Gent (1934) movie poster Jimmy the Gent as Mike (uncredited) · Comedy
  87. 1933 Eskimo (1933) movie poster Eskimo as Sergeant Hunt (uncredited) · Action
  88. 1933 College Coach (1933) movie poster College Coach as Holcomb · Drama
  89. 1933 Three Cornered Moon (1933) movie poster Three Cornered Moon as Head Lifeguard (uncredited) · Comedy
  90. 1933 The Stranger’s Return (1933) movie poster The Stranger’s Return as Thresher · Drama
  91. 1933 College Humor (1933) movie poster College Humor as Tex Roust · Action
  92. 1933 Hold Your Man (1933) movie poster Hold Your Man as Policeman at Reformatory (uncredited) · Drama
  93. 1932 Huddle (1932) movie poster Huddle as Slater · Romance
  94. 1932 Arsène Lupin (1932) movie poster Arsène Lupin as Leroux (uncredited) · Romance
  95. 1931 Maker of Men (1931) movie poster Maker of Men as Bennett the Monroe Coach (uncredited) · Drama
Biography

Who Is Joe Sawyer?

Joe Sawyer was born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada in 1906. Credited on films since 1931, as an actor. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.

Joe Sawyer, born as Joseph Sauers on August 29, 1906, was a successful Canadian film actor who appeared in over 200 films between 1927 and 1962. Originally from Guelph, Ontario, Canada, he moved to Los Angeles in his twenties to pursue a career in films. His acting journey kickstarted at the Pasadena Playhouse where he performed in productions like Quinneys, The Wolves, and White Wings. He was often recognized for portraying the character of Sergeant Biff O'Hara in the Rin Tin Tin television program, a film, and on radio. Sawyer also made appearances on several popular television shows, including ABC's Maverick, Sugarfoot, Peter Gunn, and surfside 6 as well as NBC's Bat Masterson. Unfortunately, Sawyer's flourishing career was cut short in 1982 when he passed away in Ashland, Oregon, due to liver cancer at the age of 75. His films, stage plays, radio, and TV appearances continue to be a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry.

Works with

Who Joe Sawyer Makes Movies With

The actors and directors Joe Sawyer shares the most films with. Joseph Crehan comes first, with 14 films together, followed by Ward Bond (10).

FAQ

Joe Sawyer: Questions & Answers

How many movies Joe Sawyer has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.

How many movies has Joe Sawyer been in?

Joe Sawyer is credited on 95 films, from 1931 to 1993. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.

What is Joe Sawyer's highest-grossing movie?

Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey (1993) is Joe Sawyer's biggest box office hit, with $253K worldwide, ahead of Gilda (1946) ($6K). Across every film with box office figures, Joe Sawyer's movies have made $265K.

Joe Sawyer's biggest hits

What is Joe Sawyer's newest movie?

The most recent film on Joe Sawyer's filmography is Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey (1993), in the role of Frank Daylon (archive footage) (uncredited).

Who does Joe Sawyer work with most often?

Joe Sawyer shares the most films with Joseph Crehan (14 films), Ward Bond (10 films) and Henry O'Neill (6 films).

The Best Joe Sawyer Movies, Ranked

Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 95 credits.

See the ranking

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