Acting · Paddington, London, England, UK · Born August 25, 1954
Referencing prodigies of rock lyricism may not bring Elvis Costello to mind for some, but he does deserve consideration. Through the course of over four decades, the former computer programmer has maintained a career as a singer-songwriter, giving the likes of Bob Dylan himself a reckoning. He was born Declan MacManus in London, England, on August 25, 1954. He took the moniker Elvis Costello in 1977, adopting his first name from Elvis Presley and the last part from the maiden name of his mother. Also in '77, Costello's debut album My Aim Is True was released, drawing connections to the new wave and punk movement while showing musical variance. That year, Costello's band The Attractions was assembled. The group released a number of albums, including This Year's Model, Armed Forces, and Trust. 1986's Blood and Chocolate produced memorable, literate gems, such as "Tokyo Storm Warning" and "I Want You." After the Attractions' final show in 1996, caused by conflict between Costello and the band's bassist Bruce Thomas, two of the group's other members would become part of his new backing band, The Imposters. Costello has released over 30 albums.
MovieMcCartney: The Hunt for the Lost Bass
2026
as Self
TVWords + Music
2025
as Self
MovieLadies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
2025
as Self
MovieElvis Costello & WDR Big Band @ Leverkusener Jazztage 2025
2025
Alma Naidu @ Levekusener Jazztage 2025
2025
MovieRecord On: The Specials - A Message to You
2024
as Self
MovieSounds of Liverpool at the BBC
2023
as Self (archive footage)
MovieRoy Orbison Forever
2022
as Self
MovieLindisfarne's Geordie Genius: The Alan Hull Story
2021
as Self
TVThis Is Pop
2021
as Self (archive footage)
MovieJohnny Cash: The Man in Black in Britain
2020
as Self
MovieRingo Starr’s Big Birthday Show
2020
as Self - Performer
MovieSesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration
2019
as Self
MovieTower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen
2018
as Self - Performer
TVPete the Cat
2017
as Pete's Dad (voice)
MovieEx Libris: The New York Public Library
2017
as Self
MovieRoy Orbison: Black and White Night 30
2017
as Self
MovieThe Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years
2016
as Self
TVThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015
as Self
MovieElvis Costello - Detour Live at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
2015
as Self
MovieLost Songs: The Basement Tapes Continued
2014
as Self
TVThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2014
as Self - Musical Guest
MovieElvis Costello: Mystery Dance
2013
as Self
MovieExperience Montreux
2013
as Self
MovieElvis Costello & The Imposters: The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook
2012
as Self - Performer
MovieA MusiCares Tribute to Neil Young
2011
as Self
Hamburg Journal
2011
as self
MovieI Was There: When the Beatles Played the Cavern
2011
as Self (archive footage)
MovieLove Shines
2010
as Self
Hard Rock Calling 2010
2010
as Self
TVTreme
2010
as Elvis Costello
MovieA Prairie Home Companion Live in HD!
2010
as Self - Singer
MovieLive From Bonnaroo 2009
2009
as Self
TVLive from the Artists Den
2009
as Self
TVSpectacle: Elvis Costello with...
2008
as Self
MovieA Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!
2008
as Self
MovieMemento Mori
2008
as Self
MovieIf It Ain't Stiff: The Stiff Records Story
2007
as Self
MovieDelirious
2007
as Elvis Costello
MovieElvis Costello: Live: A Case for Song
2007
as Self - Vocals, Guitar
MovieTony Bennett: Duets - The Making of an American Classic
2007
as Self
TVThe Graham Norton Show
2007
as Self
MovieThe Old, Weird America: Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music
2007
as Self
MovieElvis Costello & Allen Toussaint: Hot as a Pistol, Keen as a Blade
2006
as Self
TVLegends
2006
as Self
MovieThe Harry Smith Project Live
2006
as Self
MovieBefore the Music Dies
2006
as Self - Musician
TV30 Rock
2006
as Elvis Costello
MovieTalladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
2006
as Elvis Costello
MovieElvis Costello & Friends
2006
as Self (archive footage)
MoviePutting the River in Reverse
2006
as Self
MovieGrand Ole Opry Live
2006
as Self
MovieThe Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder: Punk & New Wave
2006
as Self
MovieFrom the Big Apple to the Big Easy: The Concert for New Orleans
2006
as Self
MovieJohnny Vegas: 18 Stone of Idiot - Unseen and Uncut
2005
as Guest
TVThe Colbert Report
2005
as Self
The Pretenders: No Turn Left Unstoned
2005
as Self
MovieElvis Costello: The Right Spectacle - The Very Best of Elvis Costello
2005
as Self - Performer
MovieLive Aid: 20 Years Ago Today
2005
as Self
MovieOff The Beaten Path: A Road Trip With Elvis & Pete
2005
as Self
MovieLive Aid
2004
as Self
MovieBeautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile
2004
as Self
MovieDe-Lovely
2004
as Musical Performer - "Let's Misbehave"
MovieJohnny Cash: The Last Great American
2004
as Self
MovieElvis Costello & The Imposters: Club Date - Live in Memphis
2004
as Self
MovieEmmylou Harris: From a Deeper Well
2003
as Self
MovieI Love Your Work
2003
as Self
TVTwo and a Half Men
2003
as Elvis Costello
MovieElvis Costello: North
2003
as Self
MovieWillie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin'
2003
as Self
TVReal Time with Bill Maher
2003
as Self
TVJimmy Kimmel Live!
2003
as Self
MovieFreedom Beat
2003
as Self
MovieThere's Only One Paul McCartney
2002
as Self
TVCMT Crossroads
2002
as Self
MovieA Tribute To Burt Bacharach & Hal David
2001
as Self
MoviePrison Song
2001
as Public Defender / Teacher
MovieUnleaded
2000
as Elvis Costello
MovieBehind the Scenes of 'Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me'
1999
as Self
MovieIn Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story
1999
as Self
MovieAustin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
1999
as Elvis Costello
MovieHere, There and Everywhere: A Concert for Linda
1999
as Self
Movie200 Cigarettes
1999
as Self
MovieClassic Albums: U2 - The Joshua Tree
1999
as Self
Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach: Sessions at West 54th
1998
as Self
MovieBrian Wilson’s Imagination
1998
as Self
MovieBurt Bacharach: One Amazing Night
1998
as Self
MovieSpice World
1997
as Elvis Costello
TVClassic Albums
1997
as Self
MovieTony Bennett's New York
1996
as Self
TVThe Daily Show
1996
as Self
TV3rd Rock from the Sun
1996
as Elvis Costello
TVDie Harald Schmidt Show
1995
as Self
TVThe Frank Skinner Show
1995
as Self
TVLo + plus
1995
as Self
MovieTony Bennett: MTV Unplugged
1994
as Self
MovieDusty
1994
as Self - Interviewee
MoviePhilip K Dick: A Day in the Afterlife
1994
as Self - Interviewee
MovieSeptember Songs: The Music of Kurt Weill
1994
as Self
TVFrasier
1993
as Ben
TVLate Night with Conan O'Brien
1993
as Self - Guest
TVLate Show with David Letterman
1993
as Self - Musical Guest
MovieWeird Nightmare
1993
as Self
TVThe Larry Sanders Show
1992
as Elvis Costello
TVThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992
as Self - Musical Guest
MovieElvis Costello and the Brodsky Quartet - The Juliet Letters
1991
as Self
TVHave I Got News for You
1990
as Self
TVThe Simpsons
1989
as Elvis Costello (voice)
TVMTV Unplugged
1989
as Self
MoviePaul McCartney: Put It There
1989
as Self
MovieElvis Costello & Friends Live at Sweetwater
1989
MovieRoy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night
1988
as Self - Guitar/Electric Organ/Harmonica
MovieRed Shoes In the Land of the Midnight Sun: Elvis Costello & The Confederates Live in Tokyo
1987
as Self - Performer
MovieStraight to Hell
1987
as Hives The Butler
MovieChet Baker Live at Ronnie Scott's
1986
as Self
The Way They Were: Punk and the New Wave 1976-1978
1986
as Self
MovieNo Surrender
1985
as Rosco De Ville
MovieLive Aid
1985
as Self
MovieThe Bullshitters: Roll Out the Gunbarrel
1984
as Stone Deaf A & R Man
TVScully
1984
as Henry Scully
TVThe Comic Strip Presents...
1982
as Stone Deaf A & R Man
TVChamps-Elysées
1982
as Self
MovieGeorge Jones: With a Little Help from His Friends
1981
as Self
MovieConcerts for the People of Kampuchea
1981
as Self
MovieElvis Costello & The Attractions Live in Montreaux
1980
as Self - Performer
MovieAmericathon
1979
as The Earl of Manchester
TVThe Kenny Everett Video Show
1978
as Self
MovieElvis Costello and The Attractions: Live at The Capitol Theatre
1978
as Self
MovieIf It Ain't Stiff, It Ain't Worth a Fuck
1978
as Self
TVSaturday Night Live
1975
as Self - Musical Guest
TVAustin City Limits
1975
as Self
TVTop of the Pops
1964
as Self (archive footage)
TVThe Oscars
1953
as Self
MovieLife Is a Carnival: A Musical Celebration of Robbie Robertson
as Self
MovieLittle Red Robin Hood
as Self
