
Brenda Lee
Known for Acting · 28 credits
- Born
- 1944-12-11 (age 81)
- Place of birth
- Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Also known as
- Brenda Mae Tarpley · Little Miss Dynamite
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brenda Lee (born Brenda Mae Tarpley; December 11, 1944) is an American performer and the top-charting solo female vocalist of the 1960s. She sang rockabilly, pop and country music, and had 47 US chart hits during the 1960s, and is ranked fourth in that decade surpassed only by Elvis Presley, the Beatles and Ray Charles. She is known for her 1960 hit "I'm Sorry", and 1958's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", which has become a Christmas standard.
At 4 feet 9 inches tall (approximately 145 cm), she received the nickname "Little Miss Dynamite" in 1957, after recording the song "Dynamite" when she was 12, and was one of the earliest pop stars to have a major contemporary international following.
In 1969, Lee returned to the charts with her recording "Johnny One Time". The song reached #3 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart and #41 on Billboard's Hot 100. The song also earned Lee her second Grammy nomination for Best Pop Female Vocal. Later success came with a return to her roots as a country singer, with a string of hits through the 1970s and 1980s.
She is a member of the Rock and Roll, Country Music and Rockabilly Halls of Fame. She is also a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Lee is the only woman to be inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Country Music Halls of Fame.
Known For
TV Shows (12)

The Mike Douglas Show
1961
as Self

The Ed Sullivan Show
1948
as Self

American Masters
1986
as Self

Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
1975
as Self

The Steve Allen Show
1956
as Self

Navy Log
1955
as Korean Girl

Discorama
1959
as Self

The Dick Clark Show
1958
as Self

The Johnny Cash Show
1969
as Self

Hullabaloo
1965
as Self

Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters
1980
as Self
Musik für Sie
1963
as Self
Movies (16)

Smokey and the Bandit II
1980
as Nice Lady

Women in Rock
1986
as Self

Ringo & Friends at the Ryman
2025
as Self

Disneyland's Summer Vacation Party
1986
as Self

My Music: A Classic Christmas
2019
as Self (archive footage)

Dick Clark's Good Old Days Part II
1978

Christmas at the Opry
2023
as Self

Ladies Night - Most Famous Hits
2003
as Self (archive footage)

The Two Little Bears
1961
as Tina Davis

Country: Portraits of an American Sound
2015
as Self

The Women of Country
1993
as Self

Brenda Lee: Rockin' Around
2024

Welcome to the Club: The Women of Rockabilly
2001
as Self
Brenda Lee: In Concert
2007
as Self

Legends in Concert - Brenda Lee: Coming On Strong
2010
as Self

Christmas at Belmont
2003
as Self - Host
About Brenda Lee
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Brenda Lee (born Brenda Mae Tarpley; December 11, 1944) is an American performer and the top-charting solo female vocalist of the 1960s. She sang rockabilly, pop and country music, and had 47 US chart hits during the 1960s, and is ranked fourth in that decade surpassed only by Elvis Presley, the Beatles and Ray Charles. She is known for her 1960 hit "I'm Sorry", and 1958's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", which has become a Christmas standard. At 4 feet 9 inches tall (approximately 145 cm), she receive… With 28 credits spanning from 1948 to 2025, Brenda Lee has appeared in 16 films and 12 TV shows.
Fans searching for Brenda Lee movies, Brenda Lee filmography, or the latest projects starring Brenda Lee can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Brenda Lee Movies
- Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) — as Nice Lady
- Women in Rock (1986) — as Self
- Ringo & Friends at the Ryman (2025) — as Self
- Disneyland's Summer Vacation Party (1986) — as Self
- My Music: A Classic Christmas (2019) — as Self (archive footage)
Where to Watch Brenda Lee Films
Most Brenda Lee movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Brenda Lee, check our movies catalogue and browse page.