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