James Brown
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.
Acted in
James Brown: Say It Loud
2024
as Self (archive footage)
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
2022
as Self (archive footage)
Nueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York
2021
as Self (archive footage)
The Making of 'Rocky vs. Drago'
2021
as Self (archive footage)
Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage
2021
as Self (archive footage)
The Sparks Brothers
2021
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Best of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go!
2021
as Self (archive footage)
70 Years of Youth Revolt
2020
as Self (archive footage)
Africa Rising
2019
as Self - Musician (archive footage)
The Apollo
2019
as Self (archive footage)
Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast
2019
as Self - Singer (archive footage)
1968: A Year of War, Turmoil and Beyond
2018
as Self (archive footage)
A Tale of James Brown
2016
as Self (archive footage)
Les Fous du Funk
2015
as Self
The Story of Funk: One Nation Under a Groove
2014
James Brown - The Man, The Music & The Message
2014
as Self
Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown
2014
as Self (archive footage)
Finding the Funk
2014
as Self
Fathers and Songs: Music for Father's Day
2013
as Self (archive footage)
Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’
2012
as Self (archive footage)
The Real Rocky
2011
as Self (archive footage)
Soul Power
2009
as Self (archive footage)
Sex in '69: The Sexual Revolution in America
2009
as Self
James Brown Live At The Apollo '68
2008
as Self
James Brown Live At The Boston Garden - April 5, 1968
2008
as Self
Pavarotti The Duets
2008
as Self
James Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston
2008
as Self (archive footage)
The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1977
2007
George Clinton: Tales of Dr Funkenstein
2006
as Self (archive footage)
Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer
2006
as Self (archive footage)
Live 8
2005
as Self
Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music
2005
as Self
Robots
2005
as Diesel (archive footage) (uncredited)
James Brown: Live
2004
as Self
James Brown: Body Heat
2004
as Self
Casey Kasem's Rock 'n' Roll Goldmine: The Soul Years
2004
as Self (archive footage)
TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
2004
as Self (archive footage)
James Brown: Soul Survivor
2003
as Self
Paper Chasers
2003
The Giants of Black Music
2003
as Self
Beat the Devil
2002
as Mr. James Brown
The Tuxedo
2002
as James Brown
Undercover Brother
2002
as Self
It's Black Entertainment
2002
as Self (archive footage)
Rhythm and Blues 40: A Soul Spectacular
2001
as Self
The UB40: Story of Reggae
2001
as Drummer
The Hire
2001
as Self
Where Are They Now?
1999
as Self
James Brown: Live From The House Of Blues
1999
as Self
Blues Brothers 2000
1998
as Cleophus James
When We Were Kings
1996
as Self
TFI Friday
1996
as Self
The History of Rock 'n' Roll
1995
as Self
Cincinnati's Rock 'N Roll Legends
1995
as Self
New York Undercover
1994
as Self
Duckman
1994
RapLine
1993
as Self
James Brown Live in Berlin
1991
The Lost James Brown Tapes
1991
as Vocals
The Simpsons
1989
as James Brown (voice)
Legends of Rock 'n' Roll
1989
as James Brown
James Brown & Friends: A Night of Super Soul
1987
as Self
Amen
1986
Throb
1986
Rocky IV
1985
as The Godfather of Soul
James Brown - Live At Chastain Park
1985
as Himself
Miami Vice
1984
When the Music's Over
1983
as Self
Doctor Detroit
1983
as Bandleader
James Brown: Live at Montreux
1981
as Self
The Blues Brothers
1980
as Cleophus James
The Kennedy Center Honors
1978
as Self
James Brown Soul Brother No. 1
1978
The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1974
1974
as Self
James Brown: Soul Train 1973-1974
1974
as Self
James Brown: Love Power Peace
1971
as Self
The Flip Wilson Show
1970
as Self
The Phynx
1970
as James Brown
The Music Scene
1969
Playboy After Dark
1969
Ski Party
1965
as Self
The T.A.M.I. Show
1964
as Self
Shindig!
1964
as Self
The Hollywood Palace
1964
as Self