Portrait of James Brown

James Brown

Acting

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 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.

Born: May 3, 1933

Place of Birth: Barnwell, South Carolina, USA

Filmography

2024
James Brown: Say It Loud

as Self (archive footage)

2023
Death by Fame

as Self (archive footage)

2022
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues

as Self (archive footage)

2021
Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage

as Self (archive footage)

2020
70 Years of Youth Revolt

as Self (archive footage)

2020
The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault

as (archive footage)

2019
Africa Rising

as Self - Musician (archive footage)

2019
The Apollo

as Self (archive footage)

2019
Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast

as Self - Singer (archive footage)

2018
2016
A Tale of James Brown

as Self (archive footage)

2015
2014
Madam Secretary

as James Brown

2014
Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown

as Self (archive footage)

2014
2013
The Millers

as James Brown

2013
2012
Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’

as Self (archive footage)

2011
The Real Rocky

as Self (archive footage)

2009
Soul Power

as Self (archive footage)

2006
2006
Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer

as Self (archive footage)

2005
Live 8

as Self

2005
Robots

as Diesel (archive footage) (uncredited)

2004
TV in Black: The First Fifty Years

as Self (archive footage)

2002
Beat the Devil

as Mr. James Brown

2002
The Tuxedo

as James Brown

2002
It's Black Entertainment

as Self (archive footage)

2001
The Hire

as Self

1998
Blues Brothers 2000

as Cleophus James

1997
The View

as Self

1996
TFI Friday

as Self

1994
Duckman

as Hostage Negotiator (voice)

1993
RapLine

as Self

1989
The Simpsons

as James Brown (voice)

1989
1988
1986
1986
1985
Rocky IV

as The Godfather of Soul

1984
Miami Vice

as Lou De Long

1983
Doctor Detroit

as Bandleader

1980
The Blues Brothers

as Cleophus James

1970
The Phynx

as James Brown

1965
Ski Party

as Self

1964
Shindig!

as Self

1961
The Mike Douglas Show

as Self - Co-Host