James Brown

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.

Known For

The Simpsons

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Mike Douglas Show

The Mike Douglas Show

The View

Miami Vice

Madam Secretary

Duckman

All Movies (72)

• The Godfather of Soul2026 · as Self (archive footage)
• Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music2025 · as Self (archive footage)
• Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan2023 · as Self (archive footage)
• Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues2022 · as Self (archive footage)
• Nueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York2021 · as Self (archive footage)
• Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage2021 · as Self (archive footage)
• Best of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go!2021 · as Self (archive footage)
• The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault2020 · as (archive footage)
• Africa Rising2019 · as Self - Musician (archive footage)
• The Apollo2019 · as Self (archive footage)
• Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast2019 · as Self - Singer (archive footage)
• 1968: A Year of War, Turmoil and Beyond2018 · as Self (archive footage)
• A Tale of James Brown2016 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Story of Funk: One Nation Under a Groove2014
• James Brown - The Man, The Music & The Message2014 · as Self
• Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown2014 · as Self (archive footage)
• Finding the Funk2014 · as Self
• Fathers and Songs: Music for Father's Day2013 · as Self (archive footage)
• Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’2012 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Real Rocky2011 · as Self (archive footage)
• Soul Power2009 · as Self (archive footage)
• Sex in '69: The Sexual Revolution in America2009 · as Self
• James Brown Live At The Apollo '682008 · as Self
• James Brown Live At The Boston Garden - April 5, 19682008 · as Self
• Pavarotti The Duets2008 · as Self
• James Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston2008 · as Self (archive footage)
• James Brown: Living in America2007
• The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 19772007
• George Clinton: Tales of Dr Funkenstein2006 · as Self (archive footage)
• Full Length & Fabulous: The Beckhams' World Cup Party2006 · as Self
• Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer2006 · as Self (archive footage)
• Live 82005 · as Self
• Robots2005 · as Diesel (archive footage) (uncredited)
• Rock 'N' Roll Forever: Ed Sullivan's Greatest Hits2005 · as Self (archive)
• James Brown: Live2004 · as Self
• James Brown: Body Heat2004 · as Self
• Casey Kasem's Rock 'n' Roll Goldmine: The Soul Years2004 · as Self (archive footage)
• TV in Black: The First Fifty Years2004 · as Self (archive footage)
• James Brown: Soul Survivor2003 · as Self
• James Brown - Live at Chastain Park Atlanta 19802003
• Paper Chasers2003
• The Giants of Black Music2003 · as Self
• Beat the Devil2002 · as Mr. James Brown
• The Tuxedo2002 · as James Brown
• Undercover Brother2002 · as Self
• It's Black Entertainment2002 · as Self (archive footage)
• Rhythm and Blues 40: A Soul Spectacular2001 · as Self
• The UB40: Story of Reggae2001 · as Drummer
• James Brown: Live From The House Of Blues1999 · as Self
• Holy Man1998 · as James Brown
• Blues Brothers 20001998 · as Cleophus James
• When We Were Kings1996 · as Self
• Cincinnati's Rock 'N Roll Legends1995 · as Self
• RapLine1993 · as Self
• James Brown Live in Berlin1991
• The Lost James Brown Tapes1991 · as Vocals
• Legends of Rock 'n' Roll1989 · as James Brown
• James Brown & Friends: A Night of Super Soul1987 · as Self
• Rocky IV1985 · as The Godfather of Soul
• James Brown - Live At Chastain Park1985 · as Himself
• When the Music's Over1983 · as Self
• Doctor Detroit1983 · as Bandleader
• James Brown: Live at Montreux1981 · as Self
• The Blues Brothers1980 · as Cleophus James
• James Brown Soul Brother No. 11978
• The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 19741974 · as Self
• James Brown: Soul Train 1973-19741974 · as Self
• James Brown: Love Power Peace1971 · as Self
• The Phynx1970 · as James Brown
• Ski Party1965 · as Self
• The T.A.M.I. Show1964 · as Self
• Say Hello to Our Good Friend Paul Shaffer— · as Self (archive footage)

All TV Shows (30)

• James Brown: Say It Loud2024 · as Self (archive footage)
• Death by Fame2023 · as Self (archive footage)
• 1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything2021 · as Self (archive footage)
• 70 Years of Youth Revolt2020 · as Self (archive footage)
• Les Fous du Funk2015 · as Self
• Madam Secretary2014 · as James Brown
• The Millers2013 · as James Brown
• Web Junk 202006
• Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music2005 · as Self
• The Hire2001 · as Self
• Where Are They Now?1999 · as Self
• The View1997 · as Self
• TFI Friday1996 · as Self
• New York Undercover1994 · as Self
• Duckman1994 · as Hostage Negotiator (voice)
• The Simpsons1989 · as James Brown (voice)
• Yo! MTV Raps1988 · as Self
• Amen1986
• Throb1986
• Miami Vice1984 · as Lou De Long
• The Kennedy Center Honors1978 · as Self
• The Flip Wilson Show1970 · as Self
• The Music Scene1969
• Playboy After Dark1969
• Shindig!1964 · as Self
• The Hollywood Palace1964 · as Self
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1962 · as Self
• The Mike Douglas Show1961 · as Self - Co-Host
• The Mike Douglas Show1961 · as Self
• The Ed Sullivan Show1948 · as Self