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