Skip to content
James Brown

James Brown

Acting·1933–2006·70 films

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".

Filmography

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