Spike Lee

Born: 1957-03-20

Spike Lee (born March 20, 1957) is an American filmmaker and actor. He was born Shelton Lee in Atlanta, Georgia. At a very young age, he moved from pre-civil rights Georgia, to Brooklyn, New York. His father was a jazz musician, and his mother, a school teacher. His mother dubbed him Spike, due to his tough nature. He attended school in Morehouse College in Atlanta and developed his film making skills at Clark Atlanta University. After graduating, he went to the Tisch School of Arts graduate film program. He made a controversial short, The Answer (1980), a reworking of D.W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation (1915) -- a ten-minute film. Lee went on to produce a 45-minute film Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads (1983), which won a student academy award. Lee's next film, "The Messenger," in 1984, was somewhat biographical. In 1986, Spike Lee made the film, She's Gotta Have It (1986), a comedy about sexual relationships. The movie was made for 175,000 dollars, and made seven million. Since then, Lee has become a well-known, intelligent, and talented film maker. His next movie was School Daze (1988), which was set in a historically black school and focused mostly on the conflict between the school and the Fraternities, of which he was a strong critic, portraying them as materialistic, irresponsible, and uncaring. Lee went on to do his landmark film, Do the Right Thing (1989), a movie specifically about his own town in Brooklyn, New York. The movie garnered an Oscar nomination, for Danny Aiello, for supporting actor. It also sparked a debate on racial relations. Lee went on to produce the jazz biopic Mo' Better Blues (1990) which showed his talent for directing and acting, and was the first of many Spike Lee films to feature Denzel Washington. His next film, Jungle Fever (1991), was about interracial dating. Lee's handling of the subject proved yet again highly controversial. Lee's next film was the self-titled biography of Malcolm X (1992), which had Denzel Washington portraying the civil rights leader. The movie was a success, and resulted in an Oscar nomination for Washington. His next films were the comparatively light, Crooklyn (1994), and the intense crime drama, Clockers (1995). In 1996, Lee directed two movies: the badly received comedy, Girl 6 (1996), and the politically pointed, Get on the Bus (1996), about a group of men going to the Million Man March. His next film, He Got Game (1998), proved to be another excursion into the collegiate world as he shows the darker side of recruiting college athletes. The movie, in limited release, yet again featured Denzel Washington. In 2000 came Bamboozled which made a mockery out of television and the way African-Americans are perceived by white America and the way African-Americans perceive themselves. The movie, however, was a resounding critical success. Lee also has produced films like New Jersey Drive (1995), Tales from the Hood (1995), and Drop Squad (1994). He also has produced and or directed movies about Huey P. Newton, Jim Brown, and has commented in many documentaries about varied subjects. Lee is an obsessive New York Knicks fan. He and his wife, Tonya Lewis Lee, have two children.


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Malcolm X

as Shorty
Released: 1992-11-18

A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation....

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Mo' Better Blues

as Giant
Released: 1990-08-03

Talented but self-centered trumpeter Bleek Gilliam is obsessed with his music and indecisiveness...

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Jungle Fever

as Cyrus
Released: 1991-06-07

A successful and married black man contemplates having an affair with a white girl from work....

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Do the Right Thing

as Mookie
Released: 1989-06-14

Salvatore "Sal" Fragione is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local,...

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Crooklyn

as Snuffy
Released: 1994-05-13

From Spike Lee comes this vibrant semi-autobiographical portrait of a school-teacher, her...

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Summer of Sam

as John Jeffries
Released: 1999-07-02

During the summer of 1977, a killer known as the Son of Sam keeps all of New York City on edge...

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When We Were Kings

as Self
Released: 1996-10-25

It's 1974. Muhammad Ali is 32 and thought by many to be past his prime. George Foreman is ten...

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Clockers

as Chucky
Released: 1995-09-15

Strike is a young city drug pusher under the tutelage of drug lord Rodney Little. When a night...

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She's Gotta Have It

as Mars Blackmon
Released: 1986-08-08

The story of Nola Darling's simultaneous sexual relationships with three different men is told...

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Girl 6

as Jimmy
Released: 1996-03-22

A struggling actress in New York City takes a job as a phone sex operator.

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School Daze

as Darrell 'Half-Pint' Dunlap
Released: 1988-02-12

Fraternity and sorority members clash with other students at a historically black college during...

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Hoop Dreams

as Self
Released: 1994-09-12

Every school day, African-American teenagers William Gates and Arthur Agee travel 90 minutes...

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Denzel Washington - Un modèle américain

as Self
Released: 2022-10-15

In 30 years of a deeply committed career and 50 roles, Denzel Washington, double-Oscar winner,...

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Red Hook Summer

as Mr. Mookie
Released: 2012-08-10

When his mom deposits him at the Red Hook housing project in Brooklyn to spend the summer with...

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Bad 25

as Self
Released: 2012-11-22

Spike Lee pays tribute to Michael Jackson's Bad on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the epochal...

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A Man's Story

as Self
Released: 2011-10-08

Documentary about British fashion designer Ozwald Boateng.

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Michael Jordan to the Max

as Himself
Released: 2000-05-05

This documentary showcases basketball player Michael Jordan's awe-inspiring moves, providing...

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A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks

as Self
Released: 2021-06-18

This documentary chronicles renaissance man Gordon Parks’ stellar career from staff photographer...

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Sidney

as Self
Released: 2022-09-10

This revealing documentary honors the legendary Sidney Poitier—iconic actor, filmmaker, and...

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Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists

as Self
Released: 2018-11-15

Directors Jonathan Alter, John Block and Steve McCarthy bring New York columnists Jimmy Breslin...

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4 Little Girls

as Interviewer (voice) (uncredited)
Released: 1997-07-09

On September 15, 1963, a bomb destroyed a black church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four...

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3 A.M.

as Filmmaker
Released: 2001-07-01

The feature film directing debut of Spike Lee protege Lee Davis takes the viewer into the world...

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Champs

as Self
Released: 2015-03-13

A documentary about the sport of boxing, as seen through the eyes of champions Mike Tyson,...

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MTV's 10th Anniversary Special

as Self
Released: 1991-06-06

A special commemorating the 10th anniversary of MTV. Included are performances created for this...

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Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’

as Self
Released: 2012-06-07

A provocative look into the seven-year history of the series that gave hip hop a voice and broke...

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Do the Right Thing: 20 Years Later

as Self
Released: 2009-06-30

In this documentary directed by Spike Lee, he interviews the cast and crew of his 1989 film DO...

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On the Shoulders of Giants

as uncredited
Released: 2011-02-11

The story of the Harlem Rens: the greatest basketball team you never heard of.

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The Evolution of an American Filmmaker

as Self
Released: 2003-05-20

Spike Lee's filmmaking career is examined in this partial making-of for the film 25th Hour...

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Unbanned: The Legend of AJ1

as Himself
Released: 2018-04-22

Unbanned explores the dynamic life of AJ1 from its unlikely origins to its role in disrupting...

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By Any Means Necessary: The Making of 'Malcolm X'

as Self
Released: 2005-02-08

A short documentary about the making of Spike Lee's biopic, "Malcolm X."

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Spike Lee & Company: Do It a Cappella

as Self
Released: 1990-01-01

A 1990 PBS documentary around the topic of A cappella music. Artists that performed as part of...

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Chadwick Boseman: Portrait of an Artist

as Self
Released: 2021-04-17

An intimate look at the Oscar-nominated actor’s incomparable artistry, and the acting process...

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It's Black Entertainment

as Self
Released: 2002-02-08

A star-studded tribute (from the creators of That's Entertainment) to the contributions of...

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Axé: Music of a People

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2017-01-19

Originally from Bahia and considered today one of the most globalised musical movements in the...

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A Century of Cinema

as Self
Released: 1994-01-01

A look back at the first 100 years of the movies.

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PoliWood

as Self
Released: 2009-07-03

An in-depth look at the Democratic and Republican national conventions held during the 2008 U.S....

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Street Fight

as Self
Released: 2005-04-23

This documentary follows the 2002 mayoral campaign in Newark, New Jersey, in which a City...

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How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (and Enjoy It)

as uncredited
Released: 2005-04-07

Melvin Van Peebles was one of the first black directors to challenge the white establishment in...

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Brooklyn Boheme

as Himself
Released: 2012-02-27

Brooklyn Boheme is a love letter to a vibrant African American artistic community who resided in...

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French Cinema Mon Amour

as Self
Released: 2015-07-06

French Cinema Mon Amour is an ensemble film in which each contributor brings their own voice,...

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Seven Songs for Malcolm X

as uncredited
Released: 1993-10-01

The Black Audio Film Collective’s seventh film envisioned the death and life of the African...

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The Making of 'Bamboozled'

as Self
Released: 2001-04-17

A behind-the-scenes look at the making of Spike Lee's satirical take on the American...

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The Universal Story

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 1996-04-21

Richard Dreyfuss hosts a celebration of the 80 year history of Universal Studios. Founded as IMP...

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The Last Party

as Self
Released: 1993-08-27

A youthful perspective on the 1992 presidential campaign with a witty, cautionary message to...

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Kobe Doin' Work

as Self
Released: 2009-05-16

A documentary following Kobe Bryant during one day of the 2008 NBA playoffs.

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Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks

as Himself
Released: 2010-03-14

Reggie Miller single-handedly crushed the hearts of Knick fans multiple times. But it was the...

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The Making and Meaning of 'We Are Family'

as Self
Released: 2002-01-09

Featuring inverviews from: Afrika Bambaataa, Ashford & Simpson, Jackson Browne, Kim Burell,...

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Lisa Picard Is Famous

as Spike Lee
Released: 2000-05-14

A documentarian decides to follow the career of New York actress Lisa Picard, believing she is...

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40 x 15: The Forty Years of the Directors' Fortnight

as Self
Released: 2008-05-18

A hstory of the Cannes Film Festival's Director's Fortnight selection.

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Sous les marches du palais

as Himself
Released: 1991-09-14

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The Fine Art of Separating People from Their Money

as Self
Released: 1996-11-17

An examination of the evolution of commercials as an artistic medium, featuring interviews with...

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A Daughter's Tribute to Her Father: Souleymane Cissé

as Self
Released: 2022-05-17

Fatou Cissé accompanies her father, malien director Souleymane Cissé, through a trip down his...

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First Works

as Self
Released: 1989-10-10

It's a mixed bag in the age of illuminating DVD supplements, but First Works effectively...

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Farewell, Babylon!

as Self
Released: 1993-08-28

Arrabal's sixth film based on his novel from 1969 with the same name as the movie.

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Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee

as Self
Released: 2014-06-22

In this open-letter style documentary, Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis' rich lives guide their grandson...

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Pixote In Memoriam

as Self
Released: 2007-10-30

A tribute documentary on Fernando Ramos da Silva, the famous child star of the acclaimed film by...

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Guest

as Self
Released: 2011-03-25

Filmmaker José Luis Guerin documents his experience during a year of traveling as a guest of...

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No Fighting in the War Room Or: 'Dr Strangelove' and the Nuclear Threat

as Self
Released: 2004-10-28

A documentary exploring the historical concept of the narrative of Stanley Kubrick's 1964 film...

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Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove'

as Self
Released: 2004-10-28

Documentary about actor Peter Sellers and one of his most memorable film roles.

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Below the Rim

as uncredited
Released: 1995-01-01

Men among giants, the NBA's little big men are the unsung heroes of the court. Defying the odds,...

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Lights, Action, Music

as uncredited
Released: 2007-08-06

A wonderful journey through the meaning and relevance of film music composition. Featuring...

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Seen It All

as Mars Blackmon
Released: 2022-05-16

A celebration of the 50th anniversary of Nike.

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Five Directors On The Battle of Algiers

as Self
Released: 2004-08-01

This 17-minute documentary is featured on the 3-Disc Criterion Collection DVD of The Battle of...

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Plankton Salesmen

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2017-10-29

A nostalgic look at the birth and death of arthouse film distribution in the early 2000s in...

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Decade

as Self
Released: 1989-12-09

Interviews with personalities including John Mellencamp, Spike Lee, Lou Reed, Roseanne Barr,...

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We the People: From Crispus Attucks to President Barack Obama

as uncredited
Released: 2014-02-11

The Election of President Barack Obama began on March 5, 1770 at the Boston Massacre with the...

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Public Enemy: Fight the Power... Live!

as uncredited
Released: 1989-01-01

THE BLACK PANTHERS OF RAPP-CHUCK D, FLAVOR FLAY, TERMINATOR X, PROFESSOR GRIFF, AND THE S1W'S...

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Branford Marsalis: Steep

as uncredited
Released: 1991-01-04

Recorded live on 13th November, 1987, at the Spirit Square Arts Centre, North Carolina, USA.

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Life O' The Party: On the Road with Prince and the New Power Generation

as Self
Released: 2005-06-07

On the road documentary with Prince and the New Power Generation during their 2004 Musicology...

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Birth of a Movement

as Self
Released: 2017-02-06

In 1915, Boston-based African American newspaper editor and activist William M. Trotter waged a...

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Lonely in America

as Himself
Released: 1990-09-30

An East Indian native immigrates to New York City and stumbles his way onto the corporate...

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Ray Allen/AKA- Jesus Shuttlesworth

as uncredited
Released: 2015-02-06

Spike Lee takes us into the world of NBA nicknames, focusing on how Ray Allen's starring role in...

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Be Truly Free

as Narrator (voice)
Released: 2017-03-01

Spike Lee explains the dream.

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Tamron Hall

as Self - Guest
First aired: 2019-09-09

Former news host and journalist Tamron Hall discusses all things topical and engages those she...

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The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

as Self
First aired: 2015-09-08

Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,...

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The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

as Self
First aired: 2014-02-17

After Jay Leno's second retirement from the program, Jimmy Fallon stepped in as his permanent...

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The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

as Himself
First aired: 2014-02-17

After Jay Leno's second retirement from the program, Jimmy Fallon stepped in as his permanent...

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The Daily Show

as Self
First aired: 1996-07-22

The World's Fakest News Team tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and pop culture.

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Real Time with Bill Maher

as Self
First aired: 2003-02-21

Each week Bill Maher surrounds himself with a panel of guests which include politicians, actors,...

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Saturday Night Live

as Mars Blackmon
First aired: 1975-10-11

A late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels. The...

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Saturday Night Live

as Self (uncredited)
First aired: 1975-10-11

A late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels. The...

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The View

as Self
First aired: 1997-08-11

ABC Daytime's morning chatfest, currently featuring Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin,...

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The Oscars

as Self
First aired: 1953-03-19

An annual American awards ceremony honoring cinematic achievements in the film industry. The...

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Great Performances

as Self
First aired: 1971-01-28

The best in the performing arts from across America and around the world including a diverse...

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In Living Color

as uncredited
First aired: 1990-04-15

In Living Color is an American sketch comedy television series that originally ran on the Fox...

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Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter

as Self
First aired: 2015-08-02

Some of this year's most talked about talent open up about the challenges and triumphs of...

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Desus & Mero

as Self - Illustrious Guest
First aired: 2019-02-21

The first ever weekly late-night talk show on Showtime features popular TV and podcast...

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Basketball: A Love Story

as Self (archive footage)
First aired: 2018-09-18

'Basketball: A Love Story' is a series of 62 interconnected short stories that creates a vibrant...

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The Chris Rock Show

as uncredited
First aired: 1997-02-07

The Chris Rock Show is a late night comedy talk show featured on HBO. It was created by Chris...

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Ghostwriter

as Special Agent Pete
First aired: 1992-10-03

Ghostwriter is an American television program created by Liz Nealon and produced by the...

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Ghostwriter

as Special Agent Pete (archive footage)
First aired: 1992-10-03

Ghostwriter is an American television program created by Liz Nealon and produced by the...

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Who Do You Think You Are?

as Self
First aired: 2010-03-05

From roots in the Deep South to the slums of New Jersey, "Who Do You Think You Are?" follows the...

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She's Gotta Have It

as Drum Major
First aired: 2017-11-23

Nola Darling struggles to define herself and divide her time among her friends, job and three...

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Yo! MTV Raps

as Self
First aired: 1988-09-21

Popular rap music videos showcased along with live performances and interviews with notable rap...

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Dear...

as Self
First aired: 2020-06-05

An inventive and cinematic approach to biographies of the most iconic figures in society today...

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The Early Show

as Self
First aired: 1999-11-01

The Early Show is an American morning television show which was broadcast by CBS from New York...

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This Is Pop

as Self (archive footage)
First aired: 2021-03-06

Unknown histories take center stage as the hitmakers themselves - from ABBA to T-Pain - explore...

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They Call Me Magic

as Self
First aired: 2022-04-22

Earvin “Magic” Johnson is an icon for the ages—from humble beginnings to the Dream Team to...

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Inside the Actors Studio

as Self
First aired: 1994-08-14

James Lipton sits down with some of the world's most accomplished actors and directors for...

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Pretend It's a City

as Self
First aired: 2021-01-08

Wander the New York City streets and fascinating mind of wry writer, humorist and raconteur Fran...

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