James Brown
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- May 3, 1933
- Died
- December 25, 2006
- Birthplace
- Barnwell, South Carolina, USA
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
- Say Hello to Our Good Friend Paul Shaffer
Say Hello to Our Good Friend Paul Shaffer TBA
as Self (archive footage)
The Godfather of Soul 2026
as Self (archive footage), Compositor
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music 2025
as Self (archive footage)
Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan 2023
as Self (archive footage)
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues 2022
as Self (archive footage)
Nueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York 2021
as Self (archive footage)
Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage 2021
as Self (archive footage)
Best of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go! 2021
as Self (archive footage)
The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault 2020
as (archive footage)
Africa Rising 2019
as Self - Musician (archive footage)
The Apollo 2019
as Self (archive footage)
Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast 2019
as Self - Singer (archive footage)
1968: A Year of War, Turmoil and Beyond 2018
as Self (archive footage)
Andy Warhol, Fluorescent 2016
as (archive footage)
A Tale of James Brown 2016
as Self (archive footage)
The Story of Funk: One Nation Under a Groove 2014
Actor
James Brown - The Man, The Music & The Message 2014
as Self
Get On Up 2014
Songs
Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown 2014
as Self (archive footage)
Finding the Funk 2014
as Self
Fathers and Songs: Music for Father's Day 2013
as Self (archive footage)
Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’ 2012
as Self (archive footage)
The Real Rocky 2011
as Self (archive footage)
Soul Power 2009
as Self (archive footage)
Sex in '69: The Sexual Revolution in America 2009
as Self
James Brown Live At The Boston Garden - April 5, 1968 2008
as Self
James Brown Live At The Apollo '68 2008
as Self
Pavarotti The Duets 2008
as Self
James Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston 2008
as Self (archive footage)
James Brown: Living in America 2007
Actor
The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1977 2007
Actor
George Clinton: Tales of Dr Funkenstein 2006
as Self (archive footage)
Full Length & Fabulous: The Beckhams' World Cup Party 2006
as Self
Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer 2006
as Self (archive footage)
Live 8 2005
as Self
Robots 2005
as Diesel (archive footage) (uncredited)
Rock 'N' Roll Forever: Ed Sullivan's Greatest Hits 2005
as Self (archive)
James Brown: Live 2004
as Self
James Brown: Body Heat 2004
as Self
Casey Kasem's Rock 'n' Roll Goldmine: The Soul Years 2004
as Self (archive footage)
TV in Black: The First Fifty Years 2004
as Self (archive footage)
James Brown: Soul Survivor 2003
as Self
James Brown - Live at Chastain Park Atlanta 1980 2003
Actor
Paper Chasers 2003
Actor
The Giants of Black Music 2003
as Self
Beat the Devil 2002
as Mr. James Brown
The Tuxedo 2002
as James Brown
Undercover Brother 2002
as Self
It's Black Entertainment 2002
as Self (archive footage)
Rhythm and Blues 40: A Soul Spectacular 2001
as Self
The UB40: Story of Reggae 2001
as Drummer
WCW SuperBrawl 2000 2000
as Himself
James Brown: Live From The House Of Blues 1999
as Self
Holy Man 1998
as James Brown
Blues Brothers 2000 1998
as Cleophus James
- Soulmates
Soulmates 1997
as Self
When We Were Kings 1996
as Self
Cincinnati's Rock 'N Roll Legends 1995
as Self
RapLine 1993
as Self
Black Women, Sexual Politics and the Revolution 1992
Songs
- A Party For Richard Pryor
A Party For Richard Pryor 1991
as Self
James Brown Live in Berlin 1991
Actor
- The Lost James Brown Tapes
The Lost James Brown Tapes 1991
as Vocals
Jacob's Ladder 1990
Songs
Legends of Rock 'n' Roll 1989
as James Brown
James Brown & Friends: A Night of Super Soul 1987
as Self
Rocky IV 1985
as The Godfather of Soul
Motown Returns to the Apollo 1985
Actor
James Brown - Live At Chastain Park 1985
as Himself
When the Music's Over 1983
as Self
Doctor Detroit 1983
as Bandleader
James Brown: Live at Montreux 1981
as Self
Walk Out 1981
Music
The Blues Brothers 1980
as Cleophus James
James Brown Soul Brother No. 1 1978
Actor
The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1974 1974
as Self
James Brown: Soul Train 1973-1974 1974
as Self
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off 1973
Original Music Composer
Black Caesar 1973
Original Music Composer
James Brown: Love Power Peace 1971
as Self
The Phynx 1970
as James Brown
Ski Party 1965
as Self
The T.A.M.I. Show 1964
as Self
Credits from TMDB.