James Brown

James Brown

1933-05-03 Barnwell, South Carolina, USA 72 Credits

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 1...

Known For

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Complete Filmography

The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault

The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault

2025

as Self

Acting

THE AGFA MYSTERY MIXTAPE VAULT is a 2-disc, 500-minute odyssey that collects eight feature-length VHS mixtapes from the crackpots at AGFA—including tw...

Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music

Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music

2025

as Self (archive footage)

7.9
Acting

Untold stories behind the culture-defining and newsmaking musical performances, sketches and cameos of the past 50 years.

Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues

Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues

2022

as Self (archive footage)

6.6
Acting

An intimate and revealing look at the world-changing musician, presented through a lens of archival footage and never-before-heard home recordings and...

Nueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York

Nueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York

2021

as Self (archive footage)

8.0
Acting

When the film West Side Story was released in 1961, New York's reviled Puerto Rican community gained some visibility and, over time, both in Spanish H...

The Making of 'Rocky vs. Drago'

The Making of 'Rocky vs. Drago'

2021

as Self (archive footage)

5.7
Acting

Fight alongside Sylvester Stallone as he creates a brand-new director's cut of Rocky IV: ROCKY VS. DRAGO. This feature-length documentary offers a per...

Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage

Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage

2021

as Self (archive footage)

6.5
Acting

Explore Woodstock 99, a three-day music festival promoted to echo unity and counterculture idealism of the original 1969 concert but instead devolved ...

The Sparks Brothers

The Sparks Brothers

2021

as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

7.4
Acting

Take a musical odyssey through five weird and wonderful decades with brothers Ron & Russell Mael, celebrating the inspiring legacy of Sparks: your fav...

Best of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go!

Best of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go!

2021

as Self (archive footage)

Acting

Best of the 60s is a documentary and a compilation from across the years of the iconic music series. More More. Best of the 60s is a compilation from ...

Africa Rising

Africa Rising

2019

as Self - Musician (archive footage)

7.5
Acting

How African artists have spread African culture all over the world, especially music, since the harsh years of decolonization, trying to offer a nicer...

The Apollo

The Apollo

2019

as Self (archive footage)

6.5
Acting

The history of New York City's Apollo Theater in Harlem is given the full treatment.

Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast

Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast

2019

as Self - Singer (archive footage)

4.2
Acting

In the late 1990s, iconic photographer Bruce Weber barely managed to convince legendary actor Robert Mitchum (1917-97) to let himself be filmed simply...

1968: A Year of War, Turmoil and Beyond

1968: A Year of War, Turmoil and Beyond

2018

as Self (archive footage)

8.0
Acting

The Tet Offensive during the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, the May events in France, the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert F. ...

A Tale of James Brown

A Tale of James Brown

2016

as Self (archive footage)

Acting

Comedian/filmmaker Camille Solari spends the last year interviewing the legendary musical icon James Brown before his untimely death on Christmas 2006...

The Story of Funk: One Nation Under a Groove

The Story of Funk: One Nation Under a Groove

2014

7.0
Acting

A documentary on funk and P-funk and the bands and artists that made it all happen: James Brown, Sly Stone, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Maurice Wh...

James Brown - The Man, The Music & The Message

James Brown - The Man, The Music & The Message

2014

as Self

8.0
Acting

The Godfather of Soul tells his life story and features his greatest live performances.

Get on Up

Get on Up

2014

Songs

6.8

A chronicle of James Brown's rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history.

Mr. Dynamite - The Rise of James Brown

Mr. Dynamite - The Rise of James Brown

2014

as Self (archive footage)

6.9
Acting

James Brown changed the face of American music forever. Abandoned by his parents at an early age, James Brown was a self-made man who became one of t...

Finding the Funk

Finding the Funk

2014

as Self

7.2
Acting

Finding the Funk is a road trip in search of the past, present and future of Funk music. Starting with Funk's roots in Jazz and the James Brown bands ...

Fathers and Songs: Music for Father's Day

Fathers and Songs: Music for Father's Day

2013

as Self (archive footage)

Acting

Fatherhood has proved a great subject for a variety of artists - some celebratory, some conflicted, but all inspired by what dad does and doesn't do. ...

Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’

Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’

2012

as Self (archive footage)

5.0
Acting

A provocative look into the seven-year history of the series that gave hip hop a voice and broke color barriers, integrating MTV with rap. "Yo! MTV Ra...

The Real Rocky

The Real Rocky

2011

as Self (archive footage)

5.9
Acting

Chuck Wepner is a liquor salesman from Bayonne, N.J., who drives a Cadillac with “Champ” vanity plates. A former New Jersey State Heavyweight Boxing ...

Soul Power

Soul Power

2009

as Self (archive footage)

6.4
Acting

Soul Power is a 2008 documentary film about the Zaire 74 music festival in Kinshasa which accompanied the Rumble in the Jungle heavyweight boxing cham...

Sex in '69: The Sexual Revolution in America

Sex in '69: The Sexual Revolution in America

2009

as Self

7.0
Acting

Documentary on the sexual revolution in America.

James Brown Live At The Apollo '68

James Brown Live At The Apollo '68

2008

as Self

5.3
Acting

This was one of a series of concerts James Brown gave at the Apollo in Harlem in March 1968. This performance was broadcast on television as James Bro...

James Brown Live At The Boston Garden - April 5, 1968

James Brown Live At The Boston Garden - April 5, 1968

2008

as Self

4.0
Acting

Live at the Boston Garden: April 5, 1968 is a concert film starring James Brown. Recorded at the Boston Garden by WGBH-TV the night after the assassin...

Pavarotti The Duets

Pavarotti The Duets

2008

as Self

Acting

LUCIANO PAVAROTTI was the rare artist who could easily bridge the divide between classical and popular music. Together with an impressive roster of th...

James Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston

James Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston

2008

as Self (archive footage)

6.6
Acting

On April 5, 1968, soul legend James Brown performed a concert in Boston that many say shielded that city from the kinds of devastating riots that ripp...

The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1977

The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1977

2007

7.0
Acting

These are live performances from a television music show that aired late night on the NBC-TV network the U.S., from 1973-1981.

George Clinton: Tales of Dr Funkenstein

George Clinton: Tales of Dr Funkenstein

2006

as Self (archive footage)

7.5
Acting

Don Letts's hilarious and colourful profile of the godfather of funk, whose 50-year career has defined the genre. From his 1950s days running a doo-wo...

Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer

Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer

2006

as Self (archive footage)

Acting

"Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer" is a feature-length documentary. In this entertaining look at the legendary singer's life, hosted by two-time Gra...

Live 8

Live 8

2005

as Self

7.4
Acting

On 2 July 2005 an estimated 3 billion people came together in the fight against extreme poverty. LIVE 8 - 10 concerts featuring over 1000 musicians fr...

Robots

Robots

2005

as Diesel (archive footage) (uncredited)

6.5
Acting

Rodney Copperbottom is a young robot inventor who dreams of making the world a better place, until the evil Ratchet takes over Bigweld Industries. Now...

James Brown: Live

James Brown: Live

2004

as Self

Acting

For one special night back in the mid '80s, the air in Atlanta, Georgia heated up a few degrees. With over 100 hits under his belt by the time this st...

James Brown: Body Heat

James Brown: Body Heat

2004

as Self

7.0
Acting

In 1969 at a concert in Monterey James Brown announced his intention to retire from touring but it wasn't until 1975 that he finally stopped. Then in ...

Casey Kasem's Rock 'n' Roll Goldmine: The Soul Years

Casey Kasem's Rock 'n' Roll Goldmine: The Soul Years

2004

as Self (archive footage)

9.8
Acting

Radio disc jockey legend Casey Kasem presents this collection featuring momentous occasions in music history. This installment delves into the mid-196...

TV in Black: The First Fifty Years

TV in Black: The First Fifty Years

2004

as Self (archive footage)

4.0
Acting

Discover how television has reflected the African American experience in this retrospective of the medium's first half-century. Actors, writers and hi...

James Brown: Soul Survivor

James Brown: Soul Survivor

2003

as Self

7.5
Acting

James Brown's legacy has influenced rap, soul, funk and R&B. But along with his huge talent, there's a dark side to Brown's success that includes stin...

Paper Chasers

Paper Chasers

2003

Acting

Paper Chasers is a feature length documentary about the impact of hip hop entrepreneurs who have built successful businesses in music, film, fashion, ...

The Giants of Black Music

The Giants of Black Music

2003

as Self

Acting

Mother Popcorn - James Brown What's The Use Of Breaking Up - Jerry Butler MacArthur Park - Della Reese Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday - Stevie Wo...

Beat the Devil

Beat the Devil

2002

as Mr. James Brown

7.0
Acting

The Driver drag-races the Devil, in order to earn James Brown his soul.

The Tuxedo

The Tuxedo

2002

as James Brown

5.7
Acting

Cabbie-turned-chauffeur Jimmy Tong learns there is really only one rule when you work for playboy millionaire Clark Devlin : Never touch Devlin's priz...

Undercover Brother

Undercover Brother

2002

as Self

5.9
Acting

An Afro-American organization, the B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D., is in permanent fight against a white organization "The Man" defending the values of the bl...

It's Black Entertainment

It's Black Entertainment

2002

as Self (archive footage)

8.0
Acting

A star-studded tribute (from the creators of That's Entertainment) to the contributions of Afro-Americans in film over the last century. Vanessa Willi...

Rhythm and Blues 40: A Soul Spectacular

Rhythm and Blues 40: A Soul Spectacular

2001

as Self

Acting

This show brings together legendary artists of the 1960s and 1970s for a once-in-a-lifetime event: Ben E. King and The Drifters, Jerry Butler reunitin...

The UB40: Story of Reggae

The UB40: Story of Reggae

2001

as Drummer

Acting
James Brown: Live From The House Of Blues

James Brown: Live From The House Of Blues

1999

as Self

Acting

The hardest working man in show business brings down the House of Blues with a live concert event in Las Vegas. Recorded with high definition equipmen...

Blues Brothers 2000

Blues Brothers 2000

1998

as Cleophus James

5.3
Acting

Finally released from prison, Elwood Blues is once again enlisted by Sister Mary Stigmata in her latest crusade to raise funds for a children's hospit...

When We Were Kings

When We Were Kings

1996

as Self

7.7
Acting

It's 1974. Muhammad Ali is 32 and thought by many to be past his prime. George Foreman is ten years younger and the heavyweight champion of the world....

The History of Rock 'n' Roll

The History of Rock 'n' Roll

1995

as Self

10.0
Acting

The history of rock n' roll and pop music are explored are explored via interviews and footage of well-known music stars.

Cincinnati's Rock 'N Roll Legends

Cincinnati's Rock 'N Roll Legends

1995

as Self

5.6
Acting

An excellent comprehensive look at all the music that came out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati "Rock Legends" "James Brown" "King Records" "Pure Prai...

RapLine

RapLine

1993

as Self

10.0
Acting

Between 1990 and 1993, at a time when rap was not yet on the radio in France, Olivier Cachin hosted a musical TV show on M6 called "RapLine". The show...

Black Women, Sexual Politics and the Revolution

Black Women, Sexual Politics and the Revolution

1992

Songs

Focuses on sexual equality in the Black community.

James Brown Live in Berlin

James Brown Live in Berlin

1991

7.0
Acting

The great James Brown and his band in concert, with a young Maceo Parker on saxophone. A live recording in Berlin, Germany 1988 features performances ...

The Lost James Brown Tapes

1991

as Vocals

Acting

In 1979, James Brown flew to Santa Cruz, California to make a comeback performance. The filmed tapes of that show were locked away for 12 years, until...

Jacob's Ladder

Jacob's Ladder

1990

Songs

7.4

After returning home from the Vietnam War, veteran Jacob Singer struggles to maintain his sanity. Plagued by hallucinations and flashbacks, Singer rap...

Legends of Rock 'n' Roll

Legends of Rock 'n' Roll

1989

as James Brown

9.0
Acting

Are you ready for some old-time rock and roll?! Then you are ready for the masters, the originators, the men who made the music, the "Legends of Rock ...

James Brown & Friends: A Night of Super Soul

James Brown & Friends: A Night of Super Soul

1987

as Self

Acting

Godfather of soul James Brown performs with Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Billy Vera, Joe Cocker and Robert Palmer in this live concert. Lively int...

Rocky IV

Rocky IV

1985

as The Godfather of Soul

7.1
Acting

After Apollo Creed is killed by Ivan Drago in a match, Rocky Balboa becomes depressed and becomes determined to get revenge.

James Brown - Live At Chastain Park

James Brown - Live At Chastain Park

1985

as Himself

5.5
Acting

The hardest working man in show business is back--and some say better than ever--in this live concert filmed in 1985 at Georgia's famed Chastain Park....

When the Music's Over

When the Music's Over

1983

as Self

Acting

Rare clips of performance and interviews by a multiple of stars, all prematurely lost.

Doctor Detroit

Doctor Detroit

1983

as Bandleader

5.1
Acting

A shy but gentle man named Clifford Skridlow is a professor of comparative literature at the financially-strapped fictional Monroe College in Chicago....

James Brown: Live at Montreux

James Brown: Live at Montreux

1981

as Self

8.0
Acting

"Soul Brother No.1", "The Godfather Of Soul", "Mr Dynamite" are all titles that have been applied to James Brown over the years. A hugely influential ...

The Blues Brothers

The Blues Brothers

1980

as Cleophus James

7.7
Acting

Jake Blues, just released from prison, puts his old band back together to save the Catholic home where he and his brother Elwood were raised.

James Brown Soul Brother No. 1

James Brown Soul Brother No. 1

1978

8.0
Acting

The James Brown Story

The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1974

The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1974

1974

as Self

Acting

The Midnight Special is an American late-night musical variety series that aired on NBC during the 1970s and early 1980s, created and produced by Burt...

James Brown: Soul Train 1973-1974

James Brown: Soul Train 1973-1974

1974

as Self

Acting

All of James Brown's performances on Soul Train from 1973 to 1974.

Slaughter's Big Rip-Off

Slaughter's Big Rip-Off

1973

Original Music Composer

4.8

Vigilante Slaughter comes under attack from Duncan, a local money launderer whose hit-man traps Slaughter in a car at a cliff, but Slaughter escapes, ...

Black Caesar

Black Caesar

1973

Original Music Composer

5.8

Tommy Gibbs is a tough kid, raised in the ghetto, who aspires to be a kingpin criminal. As a young boy, his leg is broken by a bad cop on the take, du...

James Brown: Love Power Peace

James Brown: Love Power Peace

1971

as Self

Acting

Live at the Olympia, Paris, 1971 is the only recording that documents one of his live performances with the original J.B.'s lineup featuring Bootsy an...

The Phynx

The Phynx

1970

as James Brown

3.5
Acting

A rock band is invented by the government as a cover to find hostages in a remote castle in Albania held by communist enemies of the USA.

Ski Party

Ski Party

1965

as Self

5.8
Acting

Two college boys from SoCal attend a spring break vacation at a ski lodge in Idaho to get insider tips on how the president of the ski club manages to...

The T.A.M.I. Show

The T.A.M.I. Show

1964

as Self

8.0
Acting

Hailed by one music reviewer as "the grooviest, wildest, slickest hit ever to pound the screen," "The T.A.M.I. Show" is an unrelenting rock spectacula...