James Brown
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.
Filmography · 97
The Simpsons
1989 · James Brown (voice)
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962 · Self
The Mike Douglas Show
1961 · Self - Co-Host
The View
1997 · Self
Miami Vice
1984 · Lou De Long
Madam Secretary
2014 · James Brown
The Ed Sullivan Show
1948 · Self
Duckman
1994 · Hostage Negotiator (vo...
TFI Friday
1996 · Self
New York Undercover
1994 · Self
The Kennedy Center Honors
1978 · Self
The Word
1990
Robots
2005 · Diesel (archive footag...
Rocky IV
1985 · The Godfather of Soul
The Millers
2013 · James Brown
The Flip Wilson Show
1970 · Self
Amen
1986
The Hollywood Palace
1964 · Self
Yo! MTV Raps
1988 · Self
The Blues Brothers
1980 · Cleophus James
Shindig!
1964 · Self
The Tuxedo
2002 · James Brown
Playboy After Dark
1969
The Hire
2001 · Self
Blues Brothers 2000
1998 · Cleophus James
1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything
2021 · Self (archive footage)
Death by Fame
2023 · Self (archive footage)
Holy Man
1998 · James Brown
Undercover Brother
2002 · Self
The Music Scene
1969
Beat the Devil
2002 · Mr. James Brown
James Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston
2008 · Self (archive footage)
Live 8
2005 · Self
Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’
2012 · Self (archive footage)
James Brown: Say It Loud
2024 · Self (archive footage)
Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage
2021 · Self (archive footage)
When We Were Kings
1996 · Self
70 Years of Youth Revolt
2020 · Self (archive footage)
Cincinnati's Rock 'N Roll Legends
1995 · Self
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
2025 · Self (archive footage)
Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music
2005 · Self
The Apollo
2019 · Self (archive footage)
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
2022 · Self (archive footage)
The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault
2020 · (archive footage)
James Brown: Soul Survivor
2003 · Self
Doctor Detroit
1983 · Bandleader
Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan
2023 · Self (archive footage)
Sex in '69: The Sexual Revolution in America
2009 · Self
Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast
2019 · Self - Singer (archive...
It's Black Entertainment
2002 · Self (archive footage)
Full Length & Fabulous: The Beckhams' World Cup Party
2006 · Self
Casey Kasem's Rock 'n' Roll Goldmine: The Soul Years
2004 · Self (archive footage)
James Brown: Love Power Peace
1971 · Self
Soul Power
2009 · Self (archive footage)
The Phynx
1970 · James Brown
The Real Rocky
2011 · Self (archive footage)
James Brown: Live at Montreux
1981 · Self
TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
2004 · Self (archive footage)
James Brown: Body Heat
2004 · Self
The T.A.M.I. Show
1964 · Self
The Giants of Black Music
2003 · Self
James Brown Live At The Apollo '68
2008 · Self
Legends of Rock 'n' Roll
1989 · James Brown
A Tale of James Brown
2016 · Self (archive footage)
Les Fous du Funk
2015 · Self
Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown
2014 · Self (archive footage)
Pavarotti The Duets
2008 · Self
Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer
2006 · Self (archive footage)
Ski Party
1965 · Self
Finding the Funk
2014 · Self
Africa Rising
2019 · Self - Musician (archi...
Paper Chasers
2003
The Story of Funk: One Nation Under a Groove
2014
1968: A Year of War, Turmoil and Beyond
2018 · Self (archive footage)
When the Music's Over
1983 · Self
Fathers and Songs: Music for Father's Day
2013 · Self (archive footage)
Nueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York
2021 · Self (archive footage)
George Clinton: Tales of Dr Funkenstein
2006 · Self (archive footage)
James Brown & Friends: A Night of Super Soul
1987 · Self
The UB40: Story of Reggae
2001 · Drummer
James Brown - The Man, The Music & The Message
2014 · Self
Rock 'N' Roll Forever: Ed Sullivan's Greatest Hits
2005 · Self (archive)
James Brown Live in Berlin
1991
Best of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go!
2021 · Self (archive footage)
RapLine
1993 · Self
Rhythm and Blues 40: A Soul Spectacular
2001 · Self
James Brown: Living in America
2007
James Brown: Live
2004 · Self
James Brown - Live At Chastain Park
1985 · Himself
James Brown Live At The Boston Garden - April 5, 1968
2008 · Self
James Brown Soul Brother No. 1
1978
The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1974
1974 · Self
The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1977
2007
James Brown - Live at Chastain Park Atlanta 1980
2003
James Brown: Soul Train 1973-1974
1974 · Self
James Brown: Live From The House Of Blues
1999 · Self
The Godfather of Soul
2026 · Self (archive footage)