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MTDb โ€บ Best of โ€บ 1983 โ€บ Zelig

Zelig poster

Zelig (1983)

โ€œYou wanted more when it was all over!โ€

7.4/10 ยท 941 votes 1h 19m pg Comedy

#8 of 39 films from 1983 #362 of 2885 in comedy

Directed by Woody Allen ยท Written by Woody Allen

โ–ถ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

Fictional documentary about the life of human chameleon Leonard Zelig, a man who becomes a celebrity in the 1920s due to his ability to look and act like whoever is around him. Clever editing places Zelig in real newsreel footage of Woodrow Wilson, Babe Ruth, and others.

Cast

Woody Allenas Leonard Zelig
Mia Farrowas Dr. Eudora Nesbitt Fletcher
Patrick Horganas The Narrator (voice)
John Buckwalteras Dr. Sindell
Marvin Chatinoveras Glandular Diagnosis Doctor
Stanley Swerdlowas Mexican Food Doctor
Paul Nevensas Dr. Birsky
Howard Erskineas Hypodermic Doctor
Richard Whitingas Other Doctor
Ralph Bellas Other Doctor
Will Hussungas Other Doctor
Gale Hansenas Freshman #1
Michael Jeteras Freshman #2
Peter McRobbieas Workers Rally Speaker

Facts

Release dateJuly 15, 1983
Runtime79 min (1h 19m) โ€” shorter as the 1983 average of 105 min
GenresComedy
LanguageEN
Budget$13,500,000
Box office$11,798,616 (0.9ร— budget)
IMDbtt0086637

More from Woody Allen

Annie HallAnnie Hall1977 ยท โ˜… 7.7 ยท 1h 33m ManhattanManhattan1979 ยท โ˜… 7.7 ยท 1h 36m Midnight in ParisMidnight in Paris2011 ยท โ˜… 7.5 ยท 1h 34m Hannah and Her SistersHannah and Her Sisters1986 ยท โ˜… 7.5 ยท 1h 47m Love and DeathLove and Death1975 ยท โ˜… 7.5 ยท 1h 25m The Purple Rose of CairoThe Purple Rose of Cairo1985 ยท โ˜… 7.4 ยท 1h 22m Crimes and MisdemeanorsCrimes and Misdemeanors1989 ยท โ˜… 7.4 ยท 1h 44m Match PointMatch Point2005 ยท โ˜… 7.4 ยท 2h 4m

If you liked Zelig

Same genre, released within a few years, sorted by TMDB rating.

Back to the FutureBack to the Future1985 ยท โ˜… 8.3 ยท 1h 56m My FriendsMy Friends1975 ยท โ˜… 8.1 ยท 2h 20m The King of ComedyThe King of Comedy1982 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 1h 49m Back to the Future Part IIBack to the Future Part II1989 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 1h 48m Life of BrianLife of Brian1979 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 1h 34m Monty Python and the Holy GrailMonty Python and the Holy Grail1975 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 1h 31m Fantozzi: White Collar BluesFantozzi: White Collar Blues1975 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 1h 48m The Marquis of GrilloThe Marquis of Grillo1981 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 2h 19m

Questions

How long is Zelig?
Zelig runs 79 minutes (1h 19m), short enough for a weeknight.
Is Zelig worth watching?
TMDB users give it 7.4/10 across 941 votes, which places it #8 of 39 films released in 1983 in this index (top 82%) and #362 among 2885 comedy titles.
Who directed Zelig?
Zelig was directed by Woody Allen. Other well-rated titles by the same director: Annie Hall (1977), Manhattan (1979), Midnight in Paris (2011).
Who stars in Zelig?
Woody Allen as Leonard Zelig; Mia Farrow as Dr. Eudora Nesbitt Fletcher; Patrick Horgan as The Narrator (voice); John Buckwalter as Dr. Sindell; Marvin Chatinover as Glandular Diagnosis Doctor; Stanley Swerdlow as Mexican Food Doctor.
What is Zelig rated?
It carries a pg certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for Zelig?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/12224.

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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.