Joseph Cotten

Joseph Cotten Profile Photo

Characters played by Joseph Cotten

Jedediah Leland — Citizen Kane (1941)

Kane’s estranged best friend and former associate, who remembers Kane’s rise and personal decline. He discusses Kane’s failing marriage to Emily Norton Kane, his affair with Susan Alexander Kane, and Kane’s political scandal, then loses his newspaper position after writing a negative review of Susan’s opera debut.

Holly Martins — The Third Man (1949)

American Western pulp novelist who travels to Vienna to find his friend Harry Lime. After learning of Lime's supposed death, he investigates alongside Anna Schmidt and Major Calloway, eventually discovering Lime is alive and leading a black market penicillin ring. He confronts Lime at a Ferris wheel and ultimately pursues him into the sewers, shooting him on Calloway's orders.

Uncle Charlie — Shadow of a Doubt (1943)

Uncle Charlie is Emma Newton's brother and Young Charlie's charismatic but murderous uncle. After fleeing detectives, he visits the Newton household with extravagant gifts, including an engraved emerald ring. He admits his crimes, sabotages attempts to expose him, tries to kill Young Charlie, and is finally killed when she pushes him from a train.

William R. Simonson — Soylent Green (1973)

CEO of the Soylent Green corporation, representing corporate power and secrecy.

The Reverend Doctor — Heaven's Gate (1980)

The Reverend Doctor addresses the Harvard graduates in 1870, speaking about the relationship between the cultivated mind and the uncultivated and stressing the importance of education. His speech establishes the intellectual setting shared by the young James Averill and Billy Irvine before their lives diverge.

Brian Cameron — Gaslight (1944)

A Scotland Yard inspector and childhood admirer of Paula's aunt; investigates the cold case and assists Paula in uncovering Gregory's deception.

Mr. Danner — Petulia (1968)

Mr. Danner is identified through the family scenes surrounding Petulia Danner's recovery. He visits Petulia after she leaves the hospital, and his account supports Dave Danner's claim that Dave was out of town when Petulia was beaten. He is therefore connected to Dave's family and Petulia's troubled marriage.

Kenneth Regan — The Oscar (1966)

The powerful studio chief whose patience is worn down by Frankie's extravagant spending and arrogant behavior. Frankie's repeated offenses against Regan contribute significantly to his downfall and sudden status as box office poison.

Glenn Morley — The Farmer's Daughter (1947)

Glenn Morley is a U.S. Representative and Agatha Morley’s son. He is attracted to Katrin’s character, helps coach her campaign, and later learns the truth about the fabricated scandal. He follows her home, proposes marriage, helps retrieve Adolph Petree, and carries Katrin into the House of Representatives.

Jesse McCanles — Duel in the Sun (1946)

The gentle, gentlemanly eldest son of the ranch owner. Ostracized by his father for opposing his political interests, he falls in love with Pearl but leaves for a political career and engagement to Helen. Returns after his mother's death, refuses to fight his brother Lewt, is shot by him, but survives and reconciles with his father.

Dr. Vesalius — The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)

Respected surgeon and team leader, primary target of Phibes' revenge.

George Loomis — Niagara (1953)

George is Rose Loomis's jealous, depressed, and volatile husband, recently discharged from an Army mental hospital after serving in the Korean War. He kills Patrick in self-defense, becomes a fugitive after Rose's death, and sacrifices himself at Niagara Falls to save Polly Cutler.

Career Overview

Joseph Cotten has 113 screen credits in a career dating back to 1937. Their work spans 5 cinematic universes — most prominently Island of the Fishmen Collection with 1 titles. Signature works include Citizen Kane, The Third Man, Shadow of a Doubt. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For
Acting
Gender
male
Known Credits
113
Birth Date
1905-05-15
Birth Place
Petersburg, Virginia, USA

Known For

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 5 universes

Frequent Collaborators

Credits

Content sources

Related entry on Wikidata (Q95148), public domain (CC0).