Original title
Biography
Released
4/6/1987
Origin country
US, GB
Genre
Documentary
Production companies
Foxstar Productions, Flashback Television, Atlas Media Corp., Robert Small Entertainment, Eagle Rock Entertainment, Sharp Entertainment, Screaming Flea Productions, Lou Reda Productions, Working Dog Productions, Jupiter Entertainment, Atlas Media, Popular Arts Entertainment, Pangolin Pictures, Towers Productions, Stage 3 Productions, Electric Sky Productions, Actuality Productions, Departure Films
Status
Ended
Number of seasons
27
Number of episodes
324
Biography is a documentary television series. It was originally a half-hour filmed series produced for CBS by David Wolper from 1961 to 1964 and hosted by Mike Wallace. The A&E Network later re-ran it and has produced new episodes since 1987. The older version featured historical figures such as Helen Keller and Mark Twain, or long-dead entertainment figures such as Will Rogers or John Barrymore. The A&E series has placed the emphasis on such people as Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Plácido Domingo, Freddie Mercury, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Eric Clapton, Pope John Paul II, Gene Tierney, Selena, Diego Rivera, Mao Zedong and Queen Elizabeth II, and fictional characters like The Phantom, Superman, Hamlet, Betty Boop, and Santa Claus. The program ended up profiling enough figures that in 1999, A&E spun it off into an entire network, The Biography Channel.
A profile of orator and abolitionist Frederick Douglass (1818-95), who campaigned against slavery, discrimination and other injustices directed against blacks. Douglass, a former slave himself, also helped run the Underground Railroad, a series of safe houses for escaped slaves.
1994
Harry S. Truman
His vision revolutionized industry, transformed life as we know it--and made him very, very rich.
Mata Hari
Paul Revere
A video tribute to a martial arts legend, Bruce Lee. Examined are his early years in Hong Kong and his journey to Hollywood, his role of Kato on the TV series 'The Green Hornet', and his years as the martial arts instructor to the stars. Lee's spectacular rise to super stardom through his Kung Fu films is detailed, with a revealing look at both the on-screen action and behind the scenes controversy. Celebrity interviews include actor James Coburn talking about Lee as a teacher and collaborator, and actress Diane McBain on Lee's Kato years. Lee's successors in martial arts cinema are profiled, and theories offered about mysterious deaths of Bruce Lee and his son Brandon. Plus rare footage and more! Although his life was cut short at the age of 32, Bruce Lee-- through his movies and his teachings-- will forever be remembered as the Immortal Dragon!
The life of comedy genius Sid Caesar with interviews and film clips
The Rockefellers
Teddy: A Kennedy Portrait
Files and footage from the archives of the U.S. Naval Institute highlight this profile of the military genius who prepared America's forces for World War II.
One-hour A&E biography hosted by Jack Perkins showing the life story of Marilyn with archival footage.
Documentary about Harry Houdini (1874-1926) which includes on camera appearances by Patrick Culliton, Penn and Teller, and Houdini's last living assistant, Dorothy Young.
Explore the truths and explode the myths of the man who remains "First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen."
Christa McAuliffe: Teacher in Space
Wilbur and Orville: Dreams of Flying
Biography of "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry.
From his days on top of the world in the glitzy eighties to his decline and remarkable rebirth, chronicle the astonishing life of the modern Midas whose name is synonymous with wealth.
Frank Capra's rise to fame as one of early Hollywood's most acclaimed directors.
He is known to millions as "the King of the Wild Frontier," but the real story of Davy Crockett is not nearly as familiar as his name.
Roy Rogers, along with his wife Dale Evans, and horse Trigger become icons of the western genre.
Here's Willie Nelson's official, authorized biography! "Willie Nelson: My Life" is the close-up portrait of America's favorite singer/songwriter, from the days he sold one of his early hits, Family Bible, for $50 to buy milk for his children through his long struggle to superstardom. Included are frank and sometimes humorous interviews with Willie and his friends Ray Charles (who duets with Wilie on the song "Seven Spanish Angels"), Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Emmylou Harris, Sydney Pollack, Gary Busey, Mel Tillis, Ray Price, Jerry Jeff Walker and others.
Patsy Cline died in a plane crash on March 5, 1963. Now, her musical legacy lives on in Remembering Patsy. This heartfelt celebration features 17 great Patsy Cline songs, and 10 rare television appearances, recently discovered and never before seen on video. You'll meet Patsy through her intimate home movies, her personal letters, as read by Arista recording artist Michele Wright, and the fond reminiscences of Patsy's husband, Charlie Dick, and Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Mel Tillis, Roy Clark, Eddy Arnold, Bill Anderson and Jan Howard. A new generation of stars including Trisha Yearwood, k.d. lang, Ronna Reeves, Lisa Stewart, and Marsha Thorntorn, add insight into Patsy's influence and proof positive that Patsy Cline does live on in her music.
W.C. Fields: Behind the Laughter
One of this century's most respected and admired figures, she was a humanitarian who transformed the place of women in society, and in the White House. Eleanor Roosevelt created the tradition of the activist First Lady. A pioneer among Presidents' wives, she formed a staff, held press conferences, and defined an agenda beyond that of homemaker. She fought for Civil Rights, for women and the oppressed. Yet this towering public figure was also an orphan whose family was destroyed by alcoholism, the unhappy wife of a philandering husband, and a passionate friend. Experts and scholars finally succeed in connecting her public and private lives in this unique and intimate portrait. Revisit the complete, inspiring life story of Eleanor Roosevelt, champion of freedom and human dignity.
Revisit the life of the immortal slugger whose incredible ability to hit home runs was matched only by his appetite for good living.
Pope John Paul II: Statesman of Faith
Share the magical memories - and see clips from her Oscar winning performances - in this profile of the "First Lady of the American screen."
The life of comedian and original "Saturday Night Live" star Gilda Radner.
Franklin's own words come alive in this detailed portrait of America's first great statesman and Renaissance man.
Mike Tyson: Fallen Champ
Examine the broad canvas of Michelangelo's life and legacy to probe the very soul of the artist who was recognized as a genius in his own lifetime.
Descend into the dark world and tragic life of the melancholy author who is the uncontested master of the macabre, and hear excerpts from his famous works.
Ancient art and period accounts, along with commentary from the world's leading Egyptologists brings the fabled story of Cleopatra to life.
Biography of the legendary pianist, and his 1994 summer tour.
Admiral William 'Bull' Halsey
Follow the life and career of the famed politician in the years before he became president, and explore the forces that shaped his vision.
Hirohito
A look at the life and career of actor/director Clint Eastwood, including scenes from his past film and television work and interviews with friends, fellow actors and crew members who have worked with him over the years.
A look at the "life' of Santa Claus from his beginnings as the real Saint Nicholas of Myra to the modern American and pop culture icon of Christmas.
A look at the career of the entertainer and puppeteer and her sassy sheep character.
For six decades, the Three Stooges ran amuck in a riotous frenzy of eye-poking, ear-slapping, kicks, jabs, punches and frying pans to the cranium. Now Laughsmith Entertainment and A&E offer fans of the Moronic Maestros a chance to relive the Golden Age of Stoogery. Through rare recordings, exclusive interviews and outtakes of behind-the-scenes antics, "Stooges: The Men behind the Mayhem" tells the pure, uncensored Stooge story--from the early vaudeville years with Shemp and Ted Healy, through the golden years at Columbia Pictures with Curly, to the final feature films with Curly Joe DeRita, "the last Stooge." Whether you're fascinated by the unrestrained id, or just enjoy the good, clean humor of pliers applied to the nose, you'll find something to love in this in-depth look at America's most beloved madcaps The Three Stooges!
A portrait of "Old Hickory," President Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), from his Tennessee law days through his military career to his tenure as the seventh U.S. President. Included: interviews with historians. Monte Markham is the narrator.
A history of the case
The exploits of the Continental Navy's greatest captain, John Paul Jones (1747-92), are recalled. The Scot's boast, “I have not yet begun to fight!” became an inspiration to future generations of American sailors. Included: involvement in the American Revolution; the famous 1779 battle between Jones' Bonhomme Richard and HMS Serapis.
1998
For over a year, he held a city hostage to fear. When he was finally caught, the nation was shocked to discover that the "face of terror" was a cherubic postal worker who smiled sweetly for the camera. David Berkowitz claimed the lives of six people in a killing spree that resulted in the largest manhunt in the history of New York. Once apprehended, he confessed to all the crimes and asked the judge to put him away forever so he would not kill again. In this comprehensive portrait, reporters and detectives who worked on the case, the parents of victims, a prosecutor and a former FBI profiler relive the case that galvanized a nation. Psychologists explore the many frustrations and disappointments that led Berkowitz to kill, and in a gripping interview, Berkowitz himself talks about his crimes and jailhouse transformation into the "Son of Hope." Today, he ministers to other prisoners and born-again Christians all over the world in hopes of restoring some meaning to his shattered life. From the dark streets of a shaken city to the jailhouse reformation, BIOGRAPHY examines the "Son of Sam."
“For 25 years Mao Zedong ruled one quarter of the world’s population. This is the extraordinary story of a farmer’s son who became a God in his life time but in private never shook off his peasant roots; a man who presided over one of the most radical experiments in social reform ever seen in human history but who will be remembered as one of the bloodiest dictators of the twentieth century. This program–told through the accounts of those who have met and studied him, loved and loathed him–includes archive film and pictures going back to the very earliest days of Mao’s life, as well as unique film of China at the turn of the century and during key episodes in Mao’s communist revolution. It includes harrowing and eye-witness accounts of such momentous events as the cultural revolution, the Great Leap Forward and the most severe man-made famine ever recorded.”
Examining the story of Satan's fall from grace and his efforts against the human race.
Their incredible exploits earned them a place in American legend. Their true fate remains one of the great mysteries of the Old west.
Explore the incredible life of Nostradamus, the enigmatic man known as the Prophet of Doom.
A biography of the life of Julia Child
From bootlegger to convict, to millionaire pornographer, to born-again Christian, to paraplegic gunshot-victim, Larry Flynt's life so far has been anything but ordinary. As the founder and publisher of Hustler Magazine Flynt broke new ground in porn publishing, offering filth and debauchery of a sort hitherto only imaginable. In his life Larry Flynt has always courted controversy, and along the way he's made himself the enemy of millions. But Larry Flynt always seems to come out on top. This comprehensive portrait follows Flynt from his dirt-poor Appalachian childhood to his surprising role as a poster-boy for First Amendment rights. Rare footage documents the defining moments in his life, from the launch of Hustler in 1974 to his landmark Supreme Court victory over Moral Majority head Jerry Falwell. In a moving interview, Flynt recalls his long and painful recovery from the assassination attempt that nearly took his life, and the tragic death of his wife. From selling moonshine to his dad to the controversial film that cemented his place in folklore, this is the controversial saga of Larry Flynt.
Saturday Night Live
Born into a famous family of talented, but troubled actors, Drew Barrymore overcomes turmoil to become a Hollywood superstar.
The life stories of various historical figures and celebrities are told.
Biography on the Action Legend from 2003.
Eva Braun's own home movie footage highlights this portrait of the enigmatic woman who was Hitler's mistress and at the end his wife.
Aileen Wuornos, a poor prostitute with an abusive past, becomes one of the most notorious female serial killers in American history.
A legend in his own time, he was once simply T.E. Lawrence, a child fascinated by archaeology. He grew up to work for British Military Intelligence, and ultimately joined the Arab Revolts. But what drove Lawrence in his passionate fight for Arab independence? This profile provides remarkable insights into the man whose romantic and violent story captivated the world.
A look at the actor who parlayed his martial arts skills into a successful acting career. We visit Chuck on the set of his new TV movie, Walker, Texas Ranger, giving Chuck the opportunity to return to the Cordell Walker role he played on TV for eight years. Chuck talks about his difficult childhood, his brother's death in Vietnam, his rise to the top of the karate world and friendship with Bruce Lee, and his divorce and remarriage.
He was one of America's greatest commanders, a warrior so tough and determined that he helped win World War II with a simple promise: "I shall return." Douglas MacArthur was a soldier's soldier the son of an officer, the star of West Point, the Army's youngest-ever full general.
Founded in 1978 in Atlanta, Georgia, The Home Depot is today the largest home-improvement retailer in the world, with stores in all 50 states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. In this captivating BIOGRAPHY, interviews with some of the store's first employees and co-founders Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank highlight the secrets behind the triumph of this innovative "do-it-yourself" giant.
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) is profiled.
A look at Dave Chappelles rise to a pinnacle in his career. A true comedic genius, in 2005 Chappelle was considered by many to be "the funniest man in Hollywood". This film covers the events surrounding Season 3 of "Chappelle's Show" which was scheduled to air on May 31, 2005. In that month, Chappelle stunned fans and the entertainment industry when he abruptly left during production of the third season of Chappelle's Show and took a trip to South Africa for two weeks. Essentially walking away from a deal with Comedy Central worth $50 Million Dollars We may never know the real reasons for this however this film gives great insight from people close to the event and several clips from Chappelle himself explaining things in his own words.
Season 25
This entry in the "Biography" series showcases the life and career of the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield. Included are highlights of his early career--many people don't know that he began his comedy career in the 1940s under the name Jack Roy--and includes clips from his performances and interviews with friends, family, admirers and colleagues.
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