James Brown
Known for: Acting
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
Series
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
1962
Series
The Simpsons
James Brown (voice)
1989
Series
The Mike Douglas Show
Self - Co-Host
1961
Series
The Mike Douglas Show
Self
1961
Series
The View
Self
1997
Series
Miami Vice
Lou De Long
1984
Series
Madam Secretary
James Brown
2014
Series
The Flip Wilson Show
Self
1970
Series
The Ed Sullivan Show
Self
1948
Series
New York Undercover
Self
1994
Series
Duckman
Hostage Negotiator (voice)
1994
Series
TFI Friday
Self
1996
Where Are They Now?
Self
1999
Series
The Kennedy Center Honors
Self
1978
Film
Robots
Diesel (archive footage) (uncredited)
2005
Film
The Tuxedo
James Brown
2002
Series
The Word
1990
Series
Amen
1986
Series
The Millers
James Brown
2013
Film
The Blues Brothers
Cleophus James
1980
Film
Rocky IV
The Godfather of Soul
1985
Series
Shindig!
Self
1964
Series
Yo! MTV Raps
Self
1988
Film
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
Self (archive footage)
2022
Series
The Hollywood Palace
Self
1964
Series
The Hire
Self
2001
Film
Undercover Brother
Self
2002
Series
1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything
Self (archive footage)
2021
Film
Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan
Self (archive footage)
2023
Film
Blues Brothers 2000
Cleophus James
1998
Series
Death by Fame
Self (archive footage)
2023
Series
Playboy After Dark
1969
Throb
1986
Web Junk 20
2006
Film
Holy Man
James Brown
1998
Series
Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music
Self
2005
Series
70 Years of Youth Revolt
Self (archive footage)
2020
Film
Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage
Self (archive footage)
2021
Series
The Music Scene
1969
Series
James Brown: Say It Loud
Self (archive footage)
2024
Film
When We Were Kings
Self
1996
Film
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
Self (archive footage)
2025
Film
Doctor Detroit
Bandleader
1983
Film
Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast
Self - Singer (archive footage)
2019
Film
Cincinnati's Rock 'N Roll Legends
Self
1995
Film
The T.A.M.I. Show
Self
1964
Film
The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault
(archive footage)
2020
Film
Beat the Devil
Mr. James Brown
2002
Film
Live 8
Self
2005
Film
Full Length & Fabulous: The Beckhams' World Cup Party
Self
2006
Film
Best of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go!
Self (archive footage)
2021
A Party For Richard Pryor
Self
1991
Film
It's Black Entertainment
Self (archive footage)
2002
Film
James Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston
Self (archive footage)
2008
Motown Returns to the Apollo
1985
Film
The Phynx
James Brown
1970
Film
Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’
Self (archive footage)
2012
Film
A Tale of James Brown
Self (archive footage)
2016
Film
The Apollo
Self (archive footage)
2019
Film
James Brown: Soul Survivor
Self
2003
Film
1968: A Year of War, Turmoil and Beyond
Self (archive footage)
2018
Film
Nueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York
Self (archive footage)
2021
Film
George Clinton: Tales of Dr Funkenstein
Self (archive footage)
2006
Film
TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
Self (archive footage)
2004
Series
Les Fous du Funk
Self
2015
Film
James Brown: Body Heat
Self
2004
Film
Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown
Self (archive footage)
2014
Film
James Brown Live At The Apollo '68
Self
2008
Film
James Brown: Live at Montreux
Self
1981
Film
Soul Power
Self (archive footage)
2009
Film
James Brown - The Man, The Music & The Message
Self
2014
Film
Africa Rising
Self - Musician (archive footage)
2019
Film
The UB40: Story of Reggae
Drummer
2001
Film
Ski Party
Self
1965
Film
Casey Kasem's Rock 'n' Roll Goldmine: The Soul Years
Self (archive footage)
2004
Film
Sex in '69: The Sexual Revolution in America
Self
2009
Film
Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer
Self (archive footage)
2006
Film
Legends of Rock 'n' Roll
James Brown
1989
Film
Finding the Funk
Self
2014
Film
The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1974
Self
1974
Film
The Real Rocky
Self (archive footage)
2011
Soulmates
Self
1997
Film
Andy Warhol, Fluorescent
(archive footage)
2016
Film
When the Music's Over
Self
1983
Film
James Brown Soul Brother No. 1
1978
Film
Rock 'N' Roll Forever: Ed Sullivan's Greatest Hits
Self (archive)
2005
Film
The Story of Funk: One Nation Under a Groove
2014
Say Hello to Our Good Friend Paul Shaffer
Self (archive footage)
Film
The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1977
2007
Film
Pavarotti The Duets
Self
2008
Film
The Giants of Black Music
Self
2003
Film
James Brown & Friends: A Night of Super Soul
Self
1987
Film
Fathers and Songs: Music for Father's Day
Self (archive footage)
2013
Film
James Brown: Soul Train 1973-1974
Self
1974
Film
James Brown: Love Power Peace
Self
1971
Film
James Brown Live At The Boston Garden - April 5, 1968
Self
2008
Film
Paper Chasers
2003
Film
Rhythm and Blues 40: A Soul Spectacular
Self
2001
The Lost James Brown Tapes
Vocals
1991
Film
James Brown - Live At Chastain Park
Himself
1985
Film
James Brown: Live From The House Of Blues
Self
1999
Film
James Brown Live in Berlin
1991
Film
RapLine
Self
1993
Film
James Brown - Live at Chastain Park Atlanta 1980
2003
Film
James Brown: Live
Self
2004
Film
James Brown: Living in America
2007
Film
The Godfather of Soul
Self (archive footage)
2026