Biography

Biography

TV-14 1987 · 27 seasons · 355 eps · ★ 6.7 · Documentary

Returning Series

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.

Created by David L. Wolper, Agnes Nixon

Networks: CBS, A&E

Your Rating

Cast

More from David L. WolperSee all →

Get Christie Love!Get Christie Love! · 1974
Get Christie Love!
★ 8.41974
SeriesCrimeDrama
Adventures of sexy & sassy black undercover cop Christie Love.
TelevisionTelevision · 1985
Television
★ 8.01985
SeriesDocumentary
Exhaustive 13-part survey of the television medium from its hesitant beginnings in the 1920s to the multi-million dollar extravaganzas of today and the cable and satellite technologies of the future [relative to 1985]. Tackling the medium as a worldwide phenomenon, the series examines each of the principal areas of programming - news, drama, documentaries, and light entertainment - and the unique impact of "live" coverage.
LincolnLincoln · 1974
Lincoln
★ 8.01974
SeriesWar & PoliticsDrama
Lincoln (aka Sandburg's Lincoln) is an American six-part miniseries broadcast on NBC from September 6, 1974 to April 14, 1976.
L.A. ConfidentialL.A. Confidential · 1997
L.A. Confidential
★ 7.81997
MovieCrimeMystery
Three detectives in the corrupt and brutal L.A. police force of the 1950s use differing methods to uncover a conspiracy behind the shotgun slayings of the patrons at an all-night diner.
North and SouthNorth and South · 1985
North and South
★ 7.51985
SeriesDramaWar & Politics
The story of the enduring friendship between Orry Main of South Carolina and George Hazard of Pennsylvania, who become best friends while attending the United States Military Academy at West Point but later find themselves and their families on opposite sides of the American Civil War.
Roots: The Next GenerationsRoots: The Next Generations · 1979
Roots: The Next Generations
★ 7.51979
SeriesDrama
Roots: The Next Generations is a television miniseries, introduced in 1979, continuing, from 1882 to the 1960s, the fictionalized story of the family of Alex Haley and their life in Henning, Lauderdale County, Tennessee, USA. This sequel to the 1977 miniseries is based on the last seven chapters of Haley's novel entitled Roots: The Saga of an American Family plus additional material by Haley. Roots: The Next Generations was produced with a budget of $16.6 million, nearly three times as large as that of the original.
A Will of their OwnA Will of their Own · 1998
A Will of their Own
★ 7.51998
Series
A Will of their Own is a 1998 American television mini-series directed by Karen Arthur. The film follows six generations of females within one family, and their struggle for power and independence in America. The film debuted on October 18, 1998 on the NBC network to strong critical reviews. It was released to DVD late 2003.
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate FactoryWilly Wonka & the Chocolate Factory · 1971
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
★ 7.51971
MovieFamilyFantasy
When eccentric candy man Willy Wonka promises a lifetime supply of sweets and a tour of his chocolate factory to five lucky kids, penniless Charlie Bucket seeks the golden ticket that will make him a winner.
Prince for a DayPrince for a Day · 1995
Prince for a Day
★ 7.41995
MovieComedy
Famous pop star Ricky Prince has grown tired of the spotlight and the pressures of fame. He makes the acquaintance of Ralph Bitondo, a pizza delivery boy who looks almost exactly like Ricky -- so much so that the two decide to trade identities for a while.
Roots: The GiftRoots: The Gift · 1988
Roots: The Gift
★ 7.31988
MovieDramaHistory
On Christmas Eve 1770, a young African warrior, who three years prior had been captured and sold into slavery in America, leads a desperate group of runaway slaves as they attempt to reach freedom in the North.
The Thorn BirdsThe Thorn Birds · 1983
The Thorn Birds
★ 7.21983
SeriesDrama
Follows the Cleary family over several decades, focusing on the central, tragic romance between Meggie and Father Ralph, who is torn between his vows and his love for her.
Murder in the FirstMurder in the First · 1995
Murder in the First
★ 7.11995
MovieCrimeDrama
A young, inexperienced public defender is assigned to defend an inmate accused of committing murder while behind bars.
Visions of EightVisions of Eight · 1973
Visions of Eight
★ 7.11973
MovieDocumentary
Eight acclaimed filmmakers bring their unique and differing perspectives to the 1972 Summer Olympic Games held in Munich. The segments include Lelouch's take on Olympic losers and their struggle to remain dignified even in the face of bitter disappointment and defeat; Zetterling's dramatic exploration of the world of weightlifting; and Pfleghar's piece on young Russian gymnast Ludmilla Tourischev's majestic performance on the uneven bars.
This Is ElvisThis Is Elvis · 1981
This Is Elvis
★ 7.01981
MovieDramaMusic
Though several actors portray Elvis Presley at different stages of his life, this documentary is comprised mostly of actual performance footage and interviews with Elvis, his fans and those close to him. This biographical docu-drama features rare footage of Elvis and dramatically recreated scenes from Elvis' life.
Alex Haley's QueenAlex Haley's Queen · 1993
Alex Haley's Queen
★ 7.01993
SeriesDrama
Queen is the story about Easter, the illegitimate daughter of James Jackson, III and her lifelong affair with plantation owner Tim Daly, which would result in the birth of Queen. Queen's story revolves around her early years as a slave who yearns to know who her father is, and her condition as a fair skin mixed race woman who spends her life trying to figure out where exactly she fits in.
The Man Who Saw TomorrowThe Man Who Saw Tomorrow · 1981
The Man Who Saw Tomorrow
★ 6.91981
MovieDocumentaryDrama
Hosted by Orson Welles, this documentary utilizes a grab bag of dramatized scenes, stock footage, TV news clips and interviews to ask: Did 16th century French astrologer and physician Nostradamus actually predict such events as the fall of King Louis XVI, the rise of Napoleon, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy? And are there prophecies that have yet to come true?

More Like This

How is it so far?

Your ratings make Midnight smarter