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