Actor

Tess Harper: Movies, Awards & Box Office

films: 43
on screen: 1983–2025
box office: $123M
nominations: 2
average score: 72

Born: August 15, 1950 (age 76)
Birthplace: Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, U.S.
Full name: Tessie Jean Washam
Citizenship: American
Occupations: Actress
Years active: 1983-present
Spouses: Ken Harper

Known for

The Best Tess Harper Movies

The highest-rated films Tess Harper is credited on, by the Movie Echo Score that blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact. Good Side of Bad (2025) scores highest, at 91. The full ranking adds the biggest box office hits and the most awarded films.

Full ranking

Career at a glance

Tess Harper's Career in Numbers

Tess Harper's films in numbers — as an actor, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres Tess Harper works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from Amityville 3-D (1983) to Good Side of Bad (2025), and the 1990s were the busiest decade.

Tess Harper Movies by Decade

1980s 11
1990s 12
2000s 6
2010s 5
2020s 6

The 1990s were Tess Harper's busiest decade, with 12 films.

Tess Harper Movies by Genre

Drama 16
Comedy 5
Thriller 4
Tv movie 4
Action 2
Family 2
Mystery 2
Romance 1
Western 1
Horror 1

Drama is the genre Tess Harper has worked in most, with 16 films, ahead of comedy (5).

Tess Harper Career Milestones

First film: Amityville 3-D 1983
Biggest box office hit: Surprise $49.6M worldwide
Best-rated film: Good Side of Bad Movie Echo Score 91
Newest film: Good Side of Bad 2025

43 credits

Tess Harper Filmography: Every Movie

Every film Tess Harper is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. Rated films average a score of 72. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.

Tess Harper Movies as an Actor

Tess Harper in Documentaries & Specials

2 nominations

Tess Harper: Awards & Nominations

2 nominations across 2 award bodies, from 1984 to 1987. Every ceremony is listed newest first, with the category and the film.

All movie awards

Oscars 1 nomination
Golden Globes 1 nomination

The 59th Academy Awards
- Tess Harper: Nominated Best Supporting Actress Crimes of the Heart
41st Golden Globe Awards
- Tess Harper: Nominated Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Comedy or Musical Tender Mercies

Biography

Who Is Tess Harper?

Tess Harper was born in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, U.S. in 1950 and is 76 years old. Credited on films since 1983, as an actor. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.

Tess Harper, born as Tessie Jean Washam, is an American actress renowned for her extensive career in both film and television. Born on August 15, 1950, Harper's acting journey began in 1983 and continues to this day. She made her cinematic debut with the film 'Tender Mercies' in which her performance earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Her role in the 1986 film 'Crimes of the Heart' further cemented her status as a talented actress and saw her nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

In addition to her film work, Harper has also appeared in various TV shows, lending her talent to popular series such as 'Breaking Bad' in which she had a recurring role for the first three seasons. Among her varied roles, she has also worked in TV mini-series like 'Chiefs' (1983) and 'Celebrity' (1984), and starred in television movies. Harper's performance in the Oscar-winning film 'No Country for Old Men,' where she played the wife of Tommy Lee Jones's character, garnered her a Screen Actors Guild Award. From feature films to acclaimed TV series, Harper's long-standing dedication to her craft is indisputable.

Works with

Who Tess Harper Makes Movies With

The actors and directors Tess Harper shares the most films with. Ed Begley Jr. comes first, with 3 films together, followed by Bruce Beresford (3).

FAQ

Tess Harper: Questions & Answers

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

How many movies has Tess Harper been in?

Tess Harper is credited on 43 films, from 1983 to 2025. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.

What is Tess Harper's highest-grossing movie?

Surprise (2015) is Tess Harper's biggest box office hit, with $49.6M worldwide, ahead of Crimes of the Heart (1987) ($22.9M). Across every film with box office figures, Tess Harper's movies have made $123M.

Tess Harper's biggest hits

What is the best Tess Harper movie?

By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, Tess Harper's best-rated film is Good Side of Bad (2025) with a score of 91, followed by Our Almost Completely True Story (2022) (78).

Best Tess Harper movies, ranked

Has Tess Harper won an Oscar?

Tess Harper has been nominated for an Oscar but has not won one yet. Across every ceremony in the awards database, Tess Harper has 0 wins from 2 nominations.

How old is Tess Harper?

Tess Harper is 76 years old, born on August 15, 1950 in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, U.S..

What is Tess Harper's newest movie?

The most recent film on Tess Harper's filmography is Good Side of Bad (2025), in the role of Mary Ellen.

Who does Tess Harper work with most often?

Tess Harper shares the most films with Ed Begley Jr. (3 films), Bruce Beresford (3 films) and Tom Wilkinson (2 films).

The Best Tess Harper Movies, Ranked

Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 43 credits.

See the ranking

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