American Masters (1986)

Name: American Masters
Rating: 7.0

Rating: 7.0

Synopsis

American Masters is a PBS television series which produces biographies on enduring writers, musicians, visual and performing artists, dramatists, filmmakers, and others who have left an indelible impression on the cultural landscape of the United States.

First Air Date: 1986-06-23

Last Air Date: 2026-03-17

Number of Seasons: 40

Number of Episodes: 311

Created By: Susan Lacy

Networks: PBS

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Hillary Clinton as Self
Mike Nichols as Self
Gloria Steinem as Self
Steve Martin as Self - Interviewee
Scarlett Johansson as Self
Goran Višnjić as Robert Capa (voice)
Patsy Cline as Self (archive footage)
Maya Angelou as Self
Sidney Lumet as Self
Oprah Winfrey as Self

Seasons

Select a Season

None

None (1986)

No overview available for this season.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Private Conversations: On the Set of 'Death of a Salesman' (1986-06-23)

A behind-the-scenes look at the filming of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman for television.
Ep. 2: Philip Johnson, Self Portrait (1986-06-30)

One of America's best-known architects is profiled, with emphasis on his early career and his later movement away from minimalism.
Ep. 3: Katherine Anne Porter: The Eye of Memory (1986-07-07)

A biography of the well-known social critic and author Katherine Anne Porter.
Ep. 4: The Unknown Chaplin (1) (1986-07-14)

An in-depth treatment of the life and sensibilities of the innovative silent film superstar Charlie Chaplin.
Ep. 5: The Unknown Chaplin (2) (1986-07-21)

An in-depth treatment of the life and sensibilities of the innovative silent film superstar Charlie Chaplin.
Ep. 6: The Unknown Chaplin (3) (1986-07-28)

An in-depth treatment of the life and sensibilities of the innovative silent film superstar Charlie Chaplin.
Ep. 7: Billie Holiday: The Long Night of Lady Day (1986-08-04)

A biography of Billie Holiday, one of America's most unique and emotional jazz singers and the tragic end of her life at an early age.
Ep. 8: James Levine: A Life in Music (1986-08-11)

The musical career of the long-time conductor of New York City's Metropolitan Opera as reflected by following his normal working day on camera.
Ep. 9: Aaron Copland: A Self Portrait (1986-08-18)

One of America's signature classical composers and the unique elements he incorporated into his pieces.
Ep. 10: Thomas Eakins: A Motion Portrait (1986-08-25)

The strikingly realistic and unsentimental paintings of the noted artist from Philadelphia.
Ep. 11: Georgia O'Keeffe (1986-09-01)

A profile of the noted American artist originally produced to celebrate her 90th birthday.
Ep. 12: Eugene O'Neill: A Glory of Ghosts (1986-09-08)

No overview for this episode.