Jonathan Demme

Jonathan Demme

1944-02-22 Baldwin, Long Island, New York, USA 98 Credits

Biography

Robert Jonathan Demme (February 22, 1944 – April 26, 2017) was an American filmmaker, producer and screenwriter. He was best known for directing The Silence of the Lambs, which won him the Academy Award for Best Director. He also directed the acclaimed films Something Wild (1986), Married to the Mob (1988), Philadelphia (1993), and Rachel Getting Married (2008), as well as the Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense (1984), which is widely considered to be one of the greatest concert films ...

Known For

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Complete Filmography

The Many Miracles of Household Saints

The Many Miracles of Household Saints

2024

as Self

10.0
Acting

In keeping with the intergenerational magic of 'Household Saints', filmmaker Martina Savoca-Guay has crafted a compelling new documentary, 'The Many M...

Jodie Foster, Hollywood Under the Skin

Jodie Foster, Hollywood Under the Skin

2021

as Self

7.5
Acting

From her precocious status as a sex symbol to her consecration as a filmmaker, Jodie Foster's story is about a feminist struggle, albeit atypical, fou...

Hannibal Hopkins & Sir Anthony

Hannibal Hopkins & Sir Anthony

2021

as Self (archive footage)

4.5
Acting

Hopkins’ career has spanned several decades, which is why we will also use many interviews that he gave throughout his life, allowing us to put him ba...

Suspiria

Suspiria

2018

In Memory Of

6.9

A darkness swirls at the center of a world-renowned dance company, one that will engulf the artistic director, an ambitious young dancer, and a grievi...

Vox Lux

Vox Lux

2018

In Memory Of

5.8

In 1999, teenage sisters Celeste and Eleanor survive a seismic, violent tragedy. The sisters compose and perform a song about their experience, making...

Phantom Thread

Phantom Thread

2017

In Memory Of

7.3

In 1950s London, a renowned dressmaker's meticulous lifestyle begins drastically changing as his relationship with his young muse intensifies.

The Power of Rock

The Power of Rock

2017

Director

2.0
Directing

Oscar-winning producer and director Jonathan Demme's final film is just 12 minutes, but "The Power of Rock" is several lifetimes worth of music.

Protection Not Protest: The People of Standing Rock

Protection Not Protest: The People of Standing Rock

2016

Director

Directing

One of Jonathan Demme's last works, a 2016 short documentary hosted by Tavis Smiley.

Justin Timberlake + The Tennessee Kids

Justin Timberlake + The Tennessee Kids

2016

Director

7.4
Directing

On the final nights of a world tour, director Jonathan Demme captures what makes the show soar: gifted musicians, deft dancers and a magnetic star.

Richard Linklater: Dream Is Destiny

Richard Linklater: Dream Is Destiny

2016

as Self

6.9
Acting

Highlighting one of the most innovative American directors, this film reveals the path traveled by the auteur from his small-town Texas roots to his w...

Ricki and the Flash

Ricki and the Flash

2015

Director

5.8
Directing

Meryl Streep stars as Ricki Rendazzo, a guitar heroine who made a world of mistakes as she followed her dreams of rock-and-roll stardom. Returning hom...

Another Telepathic Thing

Another Telepathic Thing

2015

Director

Directing

A live performance film documenting Big Dance Theater's production Another Telepathic Thing, a piece partially inspired by Mark Twain's "The Mysteriou...

I Thought I Told You To Shut Up!!

I Thought I Told You To Shut Up!!

2015

as Narrator (voice)

5.0
Acting

This documentary short tells the story of cartoonist David Boswell and his greatest creation: Reid Fleming, World's Toughest Milkman. In the late '70...

Deep Time

2015

Executive Producer

Producing

Ancient oceans teeming with life, Norwegian settlers, Native Americans and multinational oil corporations find intimacy in deep time. Following up his...

The Center

2015

Executive Producer

9.5
Producing

Ryan is not unlike millions of people – fresh out of college, a dead-end job, and an endless search for meaning in his life. Offered a new start via a...

What's Motivating Hayes

What's Motivating Hayes

2015

Director

Directing

After Tyrone Hayes said that a chemical was harmful, its maker pursued him.

A Master Builder

A Master Builder

2014

Director

5.9
Directing

A successful, ego-maniacal architect who has spent a lifetime bullying his wife, employees and mistresses wants to make peace as his life approaches i...

Song One

Song One

2014

Producer

5.7
Producing

Estranged from her family, Franny returns home when an accident leaves her brother comatose. Retracing his life as an aspiring musician, she tracks do...

Enzo Avitabile Music Life

Enzo Avitabile Music Life

2013

Producer, Director

10.0
Producing Directing

Jonathan Demme helms this musical documentary that shines a light on the eclectic sounds of songwriter-musician Enzo Avitabile.

Pablo

Pablo

2012

as Self

6.9
Acting

Pablo blends documentary and animation elements to tell the saga of "famous unknown" Pablo Ferro, a man with a personal journey that spans from Havana...

Gimme the Loot

Gimme the Loot

2012

Presenter

6.2

When their latest work is buffed by a rival crew, two determined graffiti writers embark on an elaborate plan to bomb the ultimate location: the New Y...

Neil Young Journeys

Neil Young Journeys

2012

Director, Producer

7.2
Directing Producing

In May of 2011, Neil Young drove a 1956 Crown Victoria from his idyllic hometown of Omemee, Ontario to downtown Toronto's iconic Massey Hall where he ...

Corman's World

Corman's World

2011

as Self - Filmmaker

7.1
Acting

A chronicle of the long career of American filmmaker Roger Corman, the most tenacious and ingenious low-budget producer and director in the US film in...

I'm Carolyn Parker

I'm Carolyn Parker

2011

Cinematography, Producer, Director

6.0
Producing Directing

A documentary about a survivor of Hurricane Katrina.

Inside Story - The Silence of the Lambs

Inside Story - The Silence of the Lambs

2010

as Self

7.1
Acting

With interviews from cast and crew, including stars Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, and director Jonathan Demme, this feature-length documentary tells ...

Sodankylä Forever

Sodankylä Forever

2010

as Self

Acting

The Midnight Sun Film Festival is held every June in the Finnish village of Sodankylä beyond the arctic circle — where the sun never sets. Founded by ...

Joe and Linda Flooded Out of Holy Cross

Joe and Linda Flooded Out of Holy Cross

2010

Director of Photography, Producer, Director

7.0
Directing Producing

A heartbreaking, must-see Jonathan Demme documentary on a proud New Orleans couple coming to terms with their post-Katrina loss.

Burning Down the House: The Story of CBGB

Burning Down the House: The Story of CBGB

2009

as Self

8.0
Acting

An East Village performance space fought against the Bowery homeless shelter who threatened to shut them down. Some of the most iconic figures in musi...

Neil Young Trunk Show

Neil Young Trunk Show

2009

Producer, Music, Director

6.2
Producing Directing

The second of Jonathan Demme's three Neil Young performance docs.

Crude Independence

2009

Executive Producer

Producing

Crude Independence is a documentary film about the heartland in the process of transplanting itself, and the new heart is pumping oil. In 2006, the Un...

Rachel Getting Married

Rachel Getting Married

2008

Director, Producer

6.3
Directing Producing

A young woman who has been in and out from rehab for the past 10 years returns home for the weekend for her sister's wedding.

Jimmy Carter: Man from Plains

Jimmy Carter: Man from Plains

2007

as Self

6.4
Acting

A chronicle of the former president's tour recent for his book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid."

Jimmy Carter: Man from Plains

Jimmy Carter: Man from Plains

2007

Writer, Producer, Director

6.4
Writing Producing Directing

A chronicle of the former president's tour recent for his book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid."

Breaking the Silence: Picture-in-Picture Commentary

Breaking the Silence: Picture-in-Picture Commentary

2007

Director

Directing

A visual commentary for "The Silence Of The Lambs" with the cast & crew in a "picture in picture" mode.

Neil Young: Heart of Gold

Neil Young: Heart of Gold

2006

Director, Producer

7.4
Directing Producing

In March 2005, Neil Young was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. Four days before he was scheduled for a lifesaving operation, he headed to Nashville, w...

Jonathan Demme & Jodie Foster

Jonathan Demme & Jodie Foster

2005

as Self

6.0
Acting

Documentary about the making of "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991). Presented as three short documentaries on the collector's edition DVD (MGM, January...

The Manchurian Candidate

The Manchurian Candidate

2004

Director, Producer

6.5
Directing Producing

Years after his squad was ambushed during the Gulf War, Major Ben Marco finds himself having terrible nightmares. He begins to doubt that his fellow s...

People Like Us: Making 'Philadelphia'

People Like Us: Making 'Philadelphia'

2004

as Self

6.0
Acting

10 years after the release of "Philadelphia," director Jonathan Demme, Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington and others discuss about the making of that film a...

The Agronomist

The Agronomist

2004

Producer, Cinematography, Director

6.2
Producing Directing

Documentary on Jean Dominique, Haitian radio personality and human rights activist.

Beah: A Black Woman Speaks

Beah: A Black Woman Speaks

2004

Producer

Producing

Beah: A Black Woman Speaks is a 2003 documentary about the life of Academy Award nominated actress Beah Richards. Directed by Lisa Gay Hamilton, it wo...

Adaptation.

Adaptation.

2002

Producer

7.4
Producing

Charlie Kaufman is a confused L.A. screenwriter overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, sexual frustration, self-loathing, and by the screenwriting amb...

The Truth About Charlie

The Truth About Charlie

2002

Director, Screenplay, Producer

4.8
Directing Writing Producing

Regina meets charming Joshua while vacationing in Martinique, as she contemplates ending her whirlwind marriage to enigmatic Charlie. Upon her return ...

Inside the Labyrinth: The Making of 'The Silence of the Lambs'

Inside the Labyrinth: The Making of 'The Silence of the Lambs'

2001

as Self

7.3
Acting

A behind-the-scenes look at the making of this Oscar winning thriller, prepared for its tenth anniversary. Includes interviews with star Anthony Hopki...

Silence of the Lambs: The Beginning

Silence of the Lambs: The Beginning

2001

as Self

Acting

"The Beginning" is one of three Johnathan Demme & Jodie Foster documentary features included in the physical release of Silence of the Lambs.This part...

Silence of the Lambs: Making Silence of the Lambs

Silence of the Lambs: Making Silence of the Lambs

2001

as Self

Acting

"Making Silence of the Lambs" is one of three Johnathan Demme & Jodie Foster documentary features included in the physical release of Silence of the L...

Silence of the Lambs: Breaking the Silence

Silence of the Lambs: Breaking the Silence

2001

as Self

Acting

"Breaking the Silence" is one of three Johnathan Demme & Jodie Foster documentary features included in the physical release of Silence of the Lambs. T...

Bruce Springsteen: The Complete Video Anthology 1978-2000

Bruce Springsteen: The Complete Video Anthology 1978-2000

2001

Director

5.0
Directing

The video kicks off from a 1978 performance of 'Rosalita' with a 29 year old Bruce wailing away with chicks jumpin' on the stage grabbing him! Lucky g...

Maangamizi: The Ancient One

2001

Executive Producer

5.7
Producing

An American woman doctor comes to Tanzania to work at a hospital for the mentally disturbed, with her Tanzanian lover. There, she meets a sometimes ca...

The Opportunists

The Opportunists

2000

Executive Producer

5.7
Producing

Vic is a struggling auto mechanic with a safe-cracking past and a lot of debt. His girlfriend runs a bar and offers to loan him the money she's saved ...

Hitchcock: Shadow of a Genius

Hitchcock: Shadow of a Genius

1999

as Self

8.4
Acting

This documentary is a fascinating look at the cinematic genius of Alfred Hitchcock. Briefly covering much of his early British works, the film primari...

Storefront Hitchcock

Storefront Hitchcock

1998

Director

5.8
Directing

Live performance by Robyn Hitchcock, in... well, a storefront.

Beloved

Beloved

1998

Producer, Director

5.8
Producing Directing

After Paul D. finds his old slave friend Sethe in Ohio and moves in with her and her daughter Denver, a strange girl comes along by the name of "Belov...

Shadrach

Shadrach

1998

Executive Producer

5.7
Producing

In 1935, 99-year-old former slave Shadrach asks to be buried on the soil where he was born to slavery, and that land is owned by the large Dabney fami...

Subway Stories

Subway Stories

1997

Director, Executive Producer

5.6
Directing Producing

An anthology of 10 stories depicting real-life incidents of subway riders in New York City, which range from compassion and love to violence and loss.

Ulee's Gold

Ulee's Gold

1997

Presenter

6.5

Third-generation Florida beekeeper Ulee Jackson may have gotten out of Vietnam alive, but he left a part of himself behind. Now he methodically tends ...

Mandela

Mandela

1996

Producer

6.1
Producing

A documentary that chronicles the life of South African leader Nelson Mandela. Mandela is probably best known for his 27 years of imprisonment, and fo...

That Thing You Do!

That Thing You Do!

1996

as Major Motion Picture Director

6.9
Acting

A Pennsylvania band scores a hit in 1964 and rides the star-making machinery as long as it can, with lots of help from its manager.

That Thing You Do!

That Thing You Do!

1996

Producer

6.9
Producing

A Pennsylvania band scores a hit in 1964 and rides the star-making machinery as long as it can, with lots of help from its manager.

Devil in a Blue Dress

Devil in a Blue Dress

1995

Executive Producer

6.5
Producing

In late 1940s Los Angeles, Easy Rawlins is an unemployed black World War II veteran with few job prospects. At a bar, Easy meets DeWitt Albright, a my...

Roy Cohn/Jack Smith

Roy Cohn/Jack Smith

1995

Executive Producer

Producing

When Jill Godmilow’s movie Roy Cohn/Jack Smith premiered at the 1994 Toronto International Film Festival, the number of AIDS-related deaths was reachi...

Neil Young and Crazy Horse: The Complex Sessions

Neil Young and Crazy Horse: The Complex Sessions

1995

Director

5.7
Directing

This half-hour documentary by acclaimed director Jonathan Demme ("The Silence of the Lambs") captures singer-songwriter Neil Young and his hard-rockin...

One Foot on a Banana Peel, the Other Foot in the Grave: Secrets from the Dolly Madison Room

One Foot on a Banana Peel, the Other Foot in the Grave: Secrets from the Dolly Madison Room

1994

as Narrator

1.0
Acting

Secrets from the Dolly Madison Room This thoughts and feelings of gays with AIDS are revealed in this documentary set in a New York West Village clini...

One Foot on a Banana Peel, the Other Foot in the Grave: Secrets from the Dolly Madison Room

One Foot on a Banana Peel, the Other Foot in the Grave: Secrets from the Dolly Madison Room

1994

Producer

1.0
Producing

Secrets from the Dolly Madison Room This thoughts and feelings of gays with AIDS are revealed in this documentary set in a New York West Village clini...

Philadelphia

Philadelphia

1993

Director, Producer

7.7
Directing Producing

Two competing lawyers join forces to sue a prestigious law firm for AIDS discrimination. As their unlikely friendship develops their courage overcomes...

Household Saints

Household Saints

1993

Executive Producer

6.5
Producing

A chronicle of three generations of Italian-American women struggling to get by in post-World War II New York’s Little Italy.

Amos & Andrew

Amos & Andrew

1993

Executive Producer

5.4
Producing

When Andrew Sterling, a successful black urbanite writer, buys a vacation home on a resort in New England the police mistake him for a burglar. After ...

Cousin Bobby

Cousin Bobby

1992

as Self

6.0
Acting

Robert Castle is the idealistic pastor of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Harlem, and also the cousin of filmmaker Jonathan Demme. Demme's affectionate...

Cousin Bobby

Cousin Bobby

1992

Director

6.0
Directing

Robert Castle is the idealistic pastor of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Harlem, and also the cousin of filmmaker Jonathan Demme. Demme's affectionate...

The Making of 'The Silence of the Lambs'

The Making of 'The Silence of the Lambs'

1991

as Self

5.9
Acting

This brief throwback piece focused on interview snippets from Hopkins, Demme, Glenn, Foster, FBI agent John Douglas and another unnamed FBI agent.

Women & Men 2: In Love There Are No Rules

Women & Men 2: In Love There Are No Rules

1991

Producer

4.0
Producing

Three short stories about women & men relationship.

The Silence of the Lambs

The Silence of the Lambs

1991

Director

8.3
Directing

Clarice Starling is a top student at the FBI's training academy. Jack Crawford wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatri...

Red Hot + Blue: A Tribute to Cole Porter

Red Hot + Blue: A Tribute to Cole Porter

1990

Director

Directing

This music special is dedicated to dispelling the prejudices associated with the HIV infection and raising money for AIDS research and relief. Some of...

Miami Blues

Miami Blues

1990

Producer

6.0
Producing

After Junior is released from prison, he plans on starting a new life in Miami. But when he kills a man in the airport, he flees the scene and finds S...

Haiti: Dreams of Democracy

Haiti: Dreams of Democracy

1988

Writer, Producer, Director

Writing Producing Directing

This film captures a key moment in the country’s history, as its people celebrate the ousting of the authoritarian Duvalier regime. Music is central t...

Married to the Mob

Married to the Mob

1988

as Man in Elevator

6.0
Acting

Angela de Marco is fed up with her gangster husband's line of work and wants no part of the crime world. When her husband is killed for having an affa...

Married to the Mob

Married to the Mob

1988

Director

6.0
Directing

Angela de Marco is fed up with her gangster husband's line of work and wants no part of the crime world. When her husband is killed for having an affa...

Swimming to Cambodia

Swimming to Cambodia

1987

Director

6.9
Directing

Spalding Gray sits behind a desk throughout the entire film and recounts his exploits and chance encounters while playing a minor role in the film 'Th...

Midnight Sun Film Festival

1987

Acting

The greatest film festival (anti)promotional short ever made which explains why Midnight Sun is a unique event for both film buffs in Finland and some...

Something Wild

Something Wild

1986

Director, Producer

6.6
Directing Producing

A free-spirited woman "kidnaps" a yuppie for a weekend of adventure. But the fun quickly takes a dangerous turn when her ex-con husband shows up.

Trisha Brown's Accumulation with Talking Plus Watermotor

Trisha Brown's Accumulation with Talking Plus Watermotor

1986

Director

Directing

Demme captures the late choreographer Trisha Brown performing a meta-narrative dance work.

Into the Night

Into the Night

1985

as Federal Agent

6.5
Acting

Ed Okin used to have a boring life. He used to have trouble getting to sleep. Then one night, he met Diana. Now, Ed's having trouble staying alive.

Stop Making Sense

Stop Making Sense

1984

Director, Writer, Sound Supervisor

8.3
Directing Writing

A concert film documenting Talking Heads at the height of their popularity, on tour for their 1983 album "Speaking in Tongues." The band takes the sta...

Swing Shift

Swing Shift

1984

Director

5.6
Directing

In 1941 America, Kay and her husband are happy enough until he enlists after Pearl Harbor. Against his wishes, she takes a job at the local aircraft p...

Who Am I This Time?

Who Am I This Time?

1982

Director

7.4
Directing

Harry is a shy hardware store employee. But whenever he takes a part in a local amateur theater production, he becomes the part completely--while on s...

Melvin and Howard

Melvin and Howard

1980

Director

6.4
Directing

The story of hard-luck Melvin Dummar, who claimed to have received a will naming him an heir to the fortune of Howard Hughes.

Last Embrace

Last Embrace

1979

as Man on Train (uncredited)

5.4
Acting

Secret agent Harry Hannan suffers a mental breakdown when a botched mission in Mexico results in the death of his wife. He is sent to a mental asylum,...

Last Embrace

Last Embrace

1979

Director

5.4
Directing

Secret agent Harry Hannan suffers a mental breakdown when a botched mission in Mexico results in the death of his wife. He is sent to a mental asylum,...

Roger Corman: Hollywood's Wild Angel

Roger Corman: Hollywood's Wild Angel

1978

as Self

7.4
Acting

Documentary examining the life and career of producer/director Roger Corman. Clips from his films and interviews with actors and crew members who have...

The Incredible Melting Man

The Incredible Melting Man

1977

as Matt Winters

4.6
Acting

An astronaut exposed to cosmic rays outside of Saturn's rings returns to Earth and begins to melt away. Escaping from the hospital, he wanders around ...

Citizens Band

Citizens Band

1977

Director

5.2
Directing

The interlaced stories of several characters in a small town united by their use of CB (citizen's band) radio.

Fighting Mad

Fighting Mad

1976

Director, Writer

5.1
Directing Writing

An evil corporation tries to pressure a bunch of Arkansas farmers and ranchers to sell their land so they can strip-mine it for coal. The fiercely pro...

Crazy Mama

Crazy Mama

1975

Director

5.6
Directing

Melba Stokes, her mother Sheba and daughter Cheryl embark on a crime spree after their California beauty parlor is repossessed. Their destination is A...

Caged Heat

Caged Heat

1974

Director, Writer

4.9
Directing Writing

A young woman is convicted on drug offenses and sent to a women's penitentiary run by a repressed and oppressive female warden. When the prison's sadi...

Fly Me

Fly Me

1973

Second Unit

4.0

Stewardesses battle kung fu killers.

Black Mama, White Mama

Black Mama, White Mama

1973

Story

5.4
Writing

When two troublemaking female prisoners (one a revolutionary, the other a former harem-girl) can't seem to get along, they are chained together and ex...

The Hot Box

The Hot Box

1972

Screenplay, Producer, Second Unit Director

4.1
Writing Producing Directing

Hot action and lust in the steamy tropical jungle, as heroines break out of a women's prison and start a local revolution.

Angels Hard as They Come

Angels Hard as They Come

1971

Screenplay, Producer

4.6
Writing Producing

A group of crazy bikers meet up with a group of drug-addicted hippies in a small town, but the two roving factions are soon at odds with one another a...

Eyewitness

Eyewitness

1970

Music Coordinator

6.2

A boy who cries wolf witnesses a political assassination on the island of Malta. But will anyone other than his granddad believe him?