Acting · Barnwell, South Carolina, USA · Born May 3, 1933
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.
MovieThe Godfather of Soul
2026
as Self (archive footage)
MovieLadies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
2025
as Self (archive footage)
TVJames Brown: Say It Loud
2024
as Self (archive footage)
MovieSunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan
2023
as Self (archive footage)
TVDeath by Fame
2023
as Self (archive footage)
MovieLouis Armstrong's Black & Blues
2022
as Self (archive footage)
MovieNueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York
2021
as Self (archive footage)
MovieWoodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage
2021
as Self (archive footage)
MovieBest of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go!
2021
as Self (archive footage)
TV1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything
2021
as Self (archive footage)
TV70 Years of Youth Revolt
2020
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault
2020
as (archive footage)
MovieAfrica Rising
2019
as Self - Musician (archive footage)
MovieThe Apollo
2019
as Self (archive footage)
MovieNice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast
2019
as Self - Singer (archive footage)
Movie1968: A Year of War, Turmoil and Beyond
2018
as Self (archive footage)
MovieA Tale of James Brown
2016
as Self (archive footage)
TVLes Fous du Funk
2015
as Self
MovieThe Story of Funk: One Nation Under a Groove
2014
MovieJames Brown - The Man, The Music & The Message
2014
as Self
TVMadam Secretary
2014
as James Brown
MovieMr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown
2014
as Self (archive footage)
MovieFinding the Funk
2014
as Self
TVThe Millers
2013
as James Brown
MovieFathers and Songs: Music for Father's Day
2013
as Self (archive footage)
MovieYo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’
2012
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Real Rocky
2011
as Self (archive footage)
MovieSoul Power
2009
as Self (archive footage)
MovieSex in '69: The Sexual Revolution in America
2009
as Self
MovieJames Brown Live At The Apollo '68
2008
as Self
MovieJames Brown Live At The Boston Garden - April 5, 1968
2008
as Self
MoviePavarotti The Duets
2008
as Self
MovieJames Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston
2008
as Self (archive footage)
MovieJames Brown: Living in America
2007
MovieThe Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1977
2007
MovieGeorge Clinton: Tales of Dr Funkenstein
2006
as Self (archive footage)
MovieFull Length & Fabulous: The Beckhams' World Cup Party
2006
as Self
MovieFrankie Laine: An American Dreamer
2006
as Self (archive footage)
Web Junk 20
2006
MovieLive 8
2005
as Self
TVSoul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music
2005
as Self
MovieRobots
2005
as Diesel (archive footage) (uncredited)
MovieRock 'N' Roll Forever: Ed Sullivan's Greatest Hits
2005
as Self (archive)
MovieJames Brown: Live
2004
as Self
MovieJames Brown: Body Heat
2004
as Self
MovieCasey Kasem's Rock 'n' Roll Goldmine: The Soul Years
2004
as Self (archive footage)
MovieTV in Black: The First Fifty Years
2004
as Self (archive footage)
MovieJames Brown: Soul Survivor
2003
as Self
MovieJames Brown - Live at Chastain Park Atlanta 1980
2003
MoviePaper Chasers
2003
MovieThe Giants of Black Music
2003
as Self
MovieBeat the Devil
2002
as Mr. James Brown
MovieThe Tuxedo
2002
as James Brown
MovieUndercover Brother
2002
as Self
MovieIt's Black Entertainment
2002
as Self (archive footage)
MovieRhythm and Blues 40: A Soul Spectacular
2001
as Self
MovieThe UB40: Story of Reggae
2001
as Drummer
TVThe Hire
2001
as Self
Where Are They Now?
1999
as Self
MovieJames Brown: Live From The House Of Blues
1999
as Self
MovieHoly Man
1998
as James Brown
MovieBlues Brothers 2000
1998
as Cleophus James
TVThe View
1997
as Self
MovieWhen We Were Kings
1996
as Self
TVTFI Friday
1996
as Self
MovieCincinnati's Rock 'N Roll Legends
1995
as Self
TVNew York Undercover
1994
as Self
TVDuckman
1994
as Hostage Negotiator (voice)
MovieRapLine
1993
as Self
MovieJames Brown Live in Berlin
1991
The Lost James Brown Tapes
1991
as Vocals
TVThe Word
1990
TVThe Simpsons
1989
as James Brown (voice)
MovieLegends of Rock 'n' Roll
1989
as James Brown
TVYo! MTV Raps
1988
as Self
MovieJames Brown & Friends: A Night of Super Soul
1987
as Self
TVAmen
1986
Throb
1986
MovieRocky IV
1985
as The Godfather of Soul
MovieJames Brown - Live At Chastain Park
1985
as Himself
TVMiami Vice
1984
as Lou De Long
MovieWhen the Music's Over
1983
as Self
MovieDoctor Detroit
1983
as Bandleader
MovieJames Brown: Live at Montreux
1981
as Self
MovieThe Blues Brothers
1980
as Cleophus James
TVThe Kennedy Center Honors
1978
as Self
MovieJames Brown Soul Brother No. 1
1978
MovieThe Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1974
1974
as Self
MovieJames Brown: Soul Train 1973-1974
1974
as Self
MovieJames Brown: Love Power Peace
1971
as Self
TVThe Flip Wilson Show
1970
as Self
MovieThe Phynx
1970
as James Brown
TVThe Music Scene
1969
TVPlayboy After Dark
1969
MovieSki Party
1965
as Self
MovieThe T.A.M.I. Show
1964
as Self
TVShindig!
1964
as Self
TVThe Hollywood Palace
1964
as Self
TVThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
as Self
TVThe Mike Douglas Show
1961
as Self - Co-Host
TVThe Ed Sullivan Show
1948
as Self
Say Hello to Our Good Friend Paul Shaffer
as Self (archive footage)
