22 Edward, My Son
Deborah Kerr starred as Evelyn Boult in the 1949 drama film, 'Edward, My Son'. The film also stars Spencer Tracy and Ian Hunter. The story follows a man as he struggles to raise his son after his wife's death. Kerr's portrayal of the motherly character earned her critical acclaim.
21 The Grass Is Greener
In the movie 'The Grass Is Greener', Deborah Kerr played the pivotal role of Lady Hilary Rhyall. Her character is an elegant and poised British aristocrat, married to a wealthy but financially troubled earl, played by Cary Grant.
20 The Naked Edge
Deborah Kerr played the role of Martha Radcliffe in the movie 'The Naked Edge'. In this suspenseful thriller, she portrayed a housewife who becomes increasingly suspicious of her husband's involvement in a murder case.
19 Love on the Dole
Deborah Kerr plays Sally Hardcastle in the 1941 classic, 'Love on the Dole'. She is a working-class girl struggling to make ends meet during the hardships of the Great Depression.
18 The End of the Affair
In the movie 'The End of the Affair', Deborah Kerr portrayed Sarah Miles, a complex and tormented character. Set during World War II, Sarah is a woman trapped in an adulterous affair with Maurice Bendrix, played by Van Johnson, who is married to another man.
17 King Solomon's Mines
Deborah Kerr played Elizabeth Curtis in the 1950 adventure film King 'Solomon's Mines'. She starred alongside Stewart Granger, who played Allan Quartermain. The story follows Quartermain and a group of adventurers who search for the legendary mines of King Solomon in Africa. Kerr's character is the daughter of an explorer who went missing during his search for the mines.
16 Bonjour Tristesse
Deborah Kerr stars as Anne Larson in the 1958 film adaptation of Bonjour Tristesse. Anne is the guardian of her teenage daughter, Cecile (played by Jean Seberg), and must contend with the arrival of her daughter's playboy father, Raymond (played by David Niven). Anne struggles to balance her own desire for a life of freedom with her responsibility to protect and raise her daughter.
15 Witness for the Prosecution
In the movie 'Witness for the Prosecution', Deborah Kerr played the role of Christine Vole. Her character is the devoted wife of Leonard Vole, a man accused of murder.
14 A.J. Cronin's Hatter's Castle
Deborah Kerr starred as Mary McDermott in the 1941 film adaptation of A.J. Cronin's novel 'Hatter's Castle'. The novel tells the story of a Scottish family in the 19th century and their struggles with poverty, alcoholism, and other social issues. Kerr's performance as Mary, the daughter of the family's tyrannical patriarch, earned her critical acclaim.
13 Quo Vadis
Deborah Kerr played Lygia in the 1951 film 'Quo Vadis'. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Henryk Sienkiewicz and tells the story of a Roman soldier's love affair with a Christian woman in the time of Emperor Nero.
12 The Sundowners
In the movie 'The Sundowners', Deborah Kerr played the role of Ida Carmody. She portrayed a strong-willed and resilient Australian woman, married to Paddy Carmody, played by Robert Mitchum.
11 Vacation from Marriage
In the movie 'Vacation from Marriage', Deborah Kerr played the role of Catherine Kirby. Her character is a British woman who, like many during World War II, rushes into a hasty marriage with her husband, Robert, portrayed by Robert Donat, before he leaves for military service.
10 Julius Caesar
Deborah Kerr played the role of Portia, Brutus's wife, in the 1953 film adaptation of the play 'Julius Caesar'.
9 Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison
Deborah Kerr plays the role of Sister Angela in the 1957 war drama 'Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison'. She stars alongside Robert Mitchum as a Marine on the run in the Pacific during World War II. The two form an unlikely alliance as they try to survive on a deserted island.
8 The King and I
Deborah Kerr starred as Anna, the British schoolteacher, in the 1956 musical film 'The King and I'. As a British governess hired to tutor the children of the King of Siam, played by Yul Brynner, Kerr's Anna navigates the complexities of cultural differences and gender dynamics while challenging traditional norms.
7 An Affair to Remember
In the classic romantic film 'An Affair to Remember', Deborah Kerr played the role of Terry McKay, a refined and charming woman who meets Nickie Ferrante, portrayed by Cary Grant, on a transatlantic voyage.
6 Separate Tables
In the film 'Separate Tables', Deborah Kerr portrayed two distinct characters, both showcasing her remarkable acting versatility. She played Sibyl Railton-Bell, a repressed and insecure woman trapped in a strained relationship with her domineering mother. Kerr's portrayal of Sibyl is marked by vulnerability and longing for love and independence. Additionally, she also portrayed Ann Shankland, a glamorous but emotionally troubled woman.
5 From Here to Eternity
Deborah Kerr starred as Karen Holmes in the 1953 drama film From Here to Eternity. The film was based on the novel by James Jones and follows a group of U.S. soldiers stationed in Hawaii in the days leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
4 The Night of the Iguana
In the film 'The Night of the Iguana', Deborah Kerr delivered a compelling performance as Hannah Jelkes, a strong-willed and introspective artist.
3 The Innocents
'The Innocents' is a 1961 British psychological horror film based on the novella 'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James. The film stars Deborah Kerr as Miss Giddens, a governess who is hired to look after two children at a large country estate.
2 Black Narcissus
Deborah Kerr starred as Sister Clodagh in the 1947 film 'Black Narcissus'. She plays a nun sent to a remote Himalayan convent to establish a mission. Overwhelmed by her surroundings, Sister Clodagh must battle her own desires while struggling to keep the convent from crumbling into scandal and ruin.
1 The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
'The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp' is a British war drama film released in 1943. It stars Deborah Kerr as Edith Hunter, the daughter of an old friend of the titular Colonel Blimp. The film follows the life and career of Blimp, played by Roger Livesey, from his early days in the Boer War to his retirement from the Army.
