James Brown
Known for Acting · 101 credits
- Born
- 1933-05-03
- Died
- 2006-12-25
- Place of birth
- Barnwell, South Carolina, USA
- Also known as
- The Godfather of Soul · The Hardest-Working Man in Show Business · Mr. Dynamite · Soul Brother No. 1 · James Joseph Brown
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.
Known For
TV Shows (29)
The Simpsons
1989
as James Brown (voice)
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
as Self
The Mike Douglas Show
1961
as Self - Co-Host
The View
1997
as Self
Miami Vice
1984
as Lou De Long
Madam Secretary
2014
as James Brown
The Ed Sullivan Show
1948
as Self
Duckman
1994
as Hostage Negotiator (voice)
New York Undercover
1994
as Self
Amen
1986
Where Are They Now?
1999
as Self
The Flip Wilson Show
1970
as Self
The Millers
2013
as James Brown
The Hollywood Palace
1964
as Self
The Kennedy Center Honors
1978
as Self
Yo! MTV Raps
1988
as Self
The Hire
2001
as Self
Shindig!
1964
as Self
TFI Friday
1996
as Self
Web Junk 20
2006
Death by Fame
2023
as Self (archive footage)
1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything
2021
as Self (archive footage)
Playboy After Dark
1969
Throb
1986
70 Years of Youth Revolt
2020
as Self (archive footage)
James Brown: Say It Loud
2024
as Self (archive footage)
The Music Scene
1969
Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music
2005
as Self
Les Fous du Funk
2015
as Self
Movies (72)
Robots
2005
as Diesel (archive footage) (uncredited)
Rocky IV
1985
as The Godfather of Soul
The Blues Brothers
1980
as Cleophus James
The Tuxedo
2002
as James Brown
Blues Brothers 2000
1998
as Cleophus James
Undercover Brother
2002
as Self
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
2025
as Self (archive footage)
Holy Man
1998
as James Brown
Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast
2019
as Self - Singer (archive footage)
Live 8
2005
as Self
Doctor Detroit
1983
as Bandleader
The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault
2020
as (archive footage)
When We Were Kings
1996
as Self
It's Black Entertainment
2002
as Self (archive footage)
TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
2004
as Self (archive footage)
Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage
2021
as Self (archive footage)
Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’
2012
as Self (archive footage)
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
2022
as Self (archive footage)
The Phynx
1970
as James Brown
The Real Rocky
2011
as Self (archive footage)
Beat the Devil
2002
as Mr. James Brown
Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer
2006
as Self (archive footage)
James Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston
2008
as Self (archive footage)
Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan
2023
as Self (archive footage)
George Clinton: Tales of Dr Funkenstein
2006
as Self (archive footage)
1968: A Year of War, Turmoil and Beyond
2018
as Self (archive footage)
Sex in '69: The Sexual Revolution in America
2009
as Self
The T.A.M.I. Show
1964
as Self
Ski Party
1965
as Self
The Apollo
2019
as Self (archive footage)
Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown
2014
as Self (archive footage)
Soul Power
2009
as Self (archive footage)
Pavarotti The Duets
2008
as Self
James Brown - The Man, The Music & The Message
2014
as Self
James Brown: Love Power Peace
1971
as Self
Africa Rising
2019
as Self - Musician (archive footage)
The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1974
1974
as Self
Casey Kasem's Rock 'n' Roll Goldmine: The Soul Years
2004
as Self (archive footage)
Finding the Funk
2014
as Self
Nueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York
2021
as Self (archive footage)
James Brown: Soul Survivor
2003
as Self
Fathers and Songs: Music for Father's Day
2013
as Self (archive footage)
Paper Chasers
2003
A Tale of James Brown
2016
as Self (archive footage)
The Giants of Black Music
2003
as Self
The Story of Funk: One Nation Under a Groove
2014
Best of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go!
2021
as Self (archive footage)
The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1977
2007
When the Music's Over
1983
as Self
Rhythm and Blues 40: A Soul Spectacular
2001
as Self
RapLine
1993
as Self
The UB40: Story of Reggae
2001
as Drummer
Legends of Rock 'n' Roll
1989
as James Brown
The Godfather of Soul
2026
as Self (archive footage)
James Brown Soul Brother No. 1
1978
James Brown Live At The Boston Garden - April 5, 1968
2008
as Self
James Brown & Friends: A Night of Super Soul
1987
as Self
James Brown Live At The Apollo '68
2008
as Self
James Brown: Body Heat
2004
as Self
Cincinnati's Rock 'N Roll Legends
1995
as Self
Rock 'N' Roll Forever: Ed Sullivan's Greatest Hits
2005
as Self (archive)
Full Length & Fabulous: The Beckhams' World Cup Party
2006
as Self
Say Hello to Our Good Friend Paul Shaffer
as Self (archive footage)
The Lost James Brown Tapes
1991
as Vocals
James Brown: Live at Montreux
1981
as Self
James Brown: Soul Train 1973-1974
1974
as Self
James Brown: Live
2004
as Self
James Brown Live in Berlin
1991
James Brown: Live From The House Of Blues
1999
as Self
James Brown - Live At Chastain Park
1985
as Himself
James Brown - Live at Chastain Park Atlanta 1980
2003
James Brown: Living in America
2007
About James Brown
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 thrill… With 101 credits spanning from 1948 to 2026, James Brown has appeared in 72 films and 29 TV shows.
Fans searching for James Brown movies, James Brown filmography, or the latest projects starring James Brown can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular James Brown Movies
- Robots (2005) — as Diesel (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Rocky IV (1985) — as The Godfather of Soul
- The Blues Brothers (1980) — as Cleophus James
- The Tuxedo (2002) — as James Brown
- Blues Brothers 2000 (1998) — as Cleophus James
Where to Watch James Brown Films
Most James Brown 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 James Brown, check our movies catalogue and browse page.