James Brown
Born: 1933-05-03 in Barnwell, South Carolina, USA
Died: 2006-12-25
Known For: Acting
Biography
James Brown (May 3, 1933 - December 25, 2006) was an American singer and songwriter, eventually referred to as "The Godfather of Soul"(GFOS). Brown started singing in gospel groups and worked his way on up. He has been recognized as one of the most iconic figures in the 20th century popular music and was renowned for his vocals and feverish dancing. He was also called "the hardest-working man in show business". Brown began his professional music career in 1956 and rose to fame during the late 1950s and early 1960s on the strength of his thrilling live performances and string of smash hits. In spite of various personal problems and setbacks he continued to score hits in every decade through the 1980s. In addition to his acclaim in music, Brown was also a presence in American political affairs during the 1960s and 1970s.
Filmography
2026
- The Godfather of Soul as Self (archive footage)
2025
- Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music as Self (archive footage)
2024
- James Brown: Say It Loud as Self (archive footage)
2023
- Death by Fame as Self (archive footage)
- Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan as Self (archive footage)
2022
- Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues as Self (archive footage)
2021
- 1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything as Self (archive footage)
- Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage as Self (archive footage)
- Nueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York as Self (archive footage)
- Best of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go! as Self (archive footage)
2020
- 70 Years of Youth Revolt as Self (archive footage)
- The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault as (archive footage)
2019
- Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast as Self - Singer (archive footage)
- The Apollo as Self (archive footage)
- Africa Rising as Self - Musician (archive footage)
2018
- 1968: A Year of War, Turmoil and Beyond as Self (archive footage)
2016
- A Tale of James Brown as Self (archive footage)
2015
- Les Fous du Funk as Self
2014
- Madam Secretary as James Brown
- Get On Up ... (Songs)
- Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown as Self (archive footage)
- The Story of Funk: One Nation Under a Groove
- James Brown - The Man, The Music & The Message as Self
- Finding the Funk as Self
2013
- The Millers as James Brown
- Fathers and Songs: Music for Father's Day as Self (archive footage)
2012
- Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’ as Self (archive footage)
2011
- The Real Rocky as Self (archive footage)
2009
- Soul Power as Self (archive footage)
- Sex in '69: The Sexual Revolution in America as Self
2008
- James Brown Live At The Boston Garden - April 5, 1968 as Self
- James Brown Live At The Apollo '68 as Self
- James Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston as Self (archive footage)
- Pavarotti The Duets as Self
2006
- Web Junk 20
- Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer as Self (archive footage)
- George Clinton: Tales of Dr Funkenstein as Self (archive footage)
- Full Length & Fabulous: The Beckhams' World Cup Party as Self
2005
- Robots as Diesel (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Live 8 as Self
- Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music as Self
- Rock 'N' Roll Forever: Ed Sullivan's Greatest Hits as Self (archive)
2004
- TV in Black: The First Fifty Years as Self (archive footage)
- James Brown: Body Heat as Self
- Casey Kasem's Rock 'n' Roll Goldmine: The Soul Years as Self (archive footage)
- James Brown: Live as Self
2003
2002
- The Tuxedo as James Brown
- Undercover Brother as Self
- Beat the Devil as Mr. James Brown
- It's Black Entertainment as Self (archive footage)
2001
- The Hire as Self
- Rhythm and Blues 40: A Soul Spectacular as Self
- The UB40: Story of Reggae as Drummer
1999
- Where Are They Now? as Self
- James Brown: Live From The House Of Blues as Self
1998
- Blues Brothers 2000 as Cleophus James
- Holy Man as James Brown
1997
- The View as Self
1996
- TFI Friday as Self
- When We Were Kings as Self
1995
1994
- Duckman as Hostage Negotiator (voice)
- New York Undercover as Self
1993
- RapLine as Self
1992
- Black Women, Sexual Politics and the Revolution ... (Songs)
1991
1990
- Jacob's Ladder ... (Songs)
1989
- The Simpsons as James Brown (voice)
- Legends of Rock 'n' Roll as James Brown
1988
- Yo! MTV Raps as Self
1987
1985
- Rocky IV as The Godfather of Soul
- James Brown - Live At Chastain Park as Himself
1984
- Miami Vice as Lou De Long
1983
- Doctor Detroit as Bandleader
- When the Music's Over as Self
1981
- James Brown: Live at Montreux as Self
- Walk Out ... (Music)
1980
- The Blues Brothers as Cleophus James
1978
1974
1973
- Black Caesar ... (Original Music Composer)
- Slaughter's Big Rip-Off ... (Original Music Composer)
1971
- James Brown: Love Power Peace as Self
1970
- The Flip Wilson Show as Self
- The Phynx as James Brown
1965
- Ski Party as Self
1964
- The Hollywood Palace as Self
- Shindig! as Self
- The T.A.M.I. Show as Self
1962
1961
- The Mike Douglas Show as Self - Co-Host
1948
- The Ed Sullivan Show as Self