Biography poster

Biography

TV Show 1987 6.7/10 332 episodes
Documentary

Synopsis

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.

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Season 3 Episodes

Episode 1 EP 1
Harry S. Truman

Harry S. Truman

Episode 2 EP 2
Henry Ford: Tin Lizzy Tycoon

His vision revolutionized industry, transformed life as we know it--and made him very, very rich.

Episode 3 EP 3
Mata Hari

Mata Hari

Episode 4 EP 4
Paul Revere

Paul Revere

Episode 5 EP 5
Bruce Lee: The Immortal Dragon

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 Ka…

Episode 6 EP 6
Sid Caesar: Television's Comedy Genius

The life of comedy genius Sid Caesar with interviews and film clips

Episode 7 EP 7
The Rockefellers

The Rockefellers

Episode 8 EP 8
Teddy: A Kennedy Portrait

Teddy: A Kennedy Portrait

Episode 9 EP 9
General Omar Bradley

Files and footage from the archives of the U.S. Naval Institute highlight this profile of the military genius who prepared America's forces…

Episode 10 EP 10
Marilyn Monroe - Behind the Legend

One-hour A&E biography hosted by Jack Perkins showing the life story of Marilyn with archival footage.

Episode 11 EP 11
Houdini: The Great Escape

Documentary about Harry Houdini (1874-1926) which includes on camera appearances by Patrick Culliton, Penn and Teller, and Houdini's last l…

Episode 12 EP 12
George Washington: Founding Father

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."

Episode 13 EP 13
Christa McAuliffe: Teacher in Space

Christa McAuliffe: Teacher in Space

Episode 14 EP 14
Wilbur and Orville: Dreams of Flying

Wilbur and Orville: Dreams of Flying

Episode 15 EP 15
Gene Roddenberry: Star Trek and Beyond

Biography of "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry.

Episode 16 EP 16
Donald Trump: Master of the Deal

From his days on top of the world in the glitzy eighties to his decline and remarkable rebirth, chronicle the astonishing life of the moder…

Episode 17 EP 17
Frank Capra: Mr. Capra Goes to America

Frank Capra's rise to fame as one of early Hollywood's most acclaimed directors.

Episode 18 EP 18
Davy Crockett: American Frontier Legend

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.

Episode 19 EP 19
Roy Rogers: American Legend

Roy Rogers, along with his wife Dale Evans, and horse Trigger become icons of the western genre.

Episode 20 EP 20
Willie Nelson

Here's Willie Nelson's official, authorized biography! "Willie Nelson: My Life" is the close-up portrait of America's favorite singer/songw…

Episode 21 EP 21
Patsy Cline: Remembering Patsy

Patsy Cline died in a plane crash on March 5, 1963. Now, her musical legacy lives on in Remembering Patsy. This heartfelt celebration featu…

Episode 22 EP 22
W.C. Fields: Behind the Laughter

W.C. Fields: Behind the Laughter

Episode 23 EP 23
Eleanor Roosevelt: A Restless Spirit

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 …

Episode 24 EP 24
The Babe: The Story of Babe Ruth

Revisit the life of the immortal slugger whose incredible ability to hit home runs was matched only by his appetite for good living.

Episode 25 EP 25
Pope John Paul II: Statesman of Faith

Pope John Paul II: Statesman of Faith

Episode 26 EP 26
Bette Davis: If Looks Could Kill

Share the magical memories - and see clips from her Oscar winning performances - in this profile of the "First Lady of the American screen."

Episode 27 EP 27
Gilda Radner: In Her Own Words

The life of comedian and original "Saturday Night Live" star Gilda Radner.

Episode 28 EP 28
Benjamin Franklin: Citizen of the World

Franklin's own words come alive in this detailed portrait of America's first great statesman and Renaissance man.

Episode 29 EP 29
Mike Tyson: Fallen Champ

Mike Tyson: Fallen Champ

Episode 30 EP 30
Michelangelo: Artist and Man

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 l…

Episode 31 EP 31
Edgar Allan Poe: The Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe

Descend into the dark world and tragic life of the melancholy author who is the uncontested master of the macabre, and hear excerpts from h…

Episode 32 EP 32
Cleopatra: Destiny's Queen

Ancient art and period accounts, along with commentary from the world's leading Egyptologists brings the fabled story of Cleopatra to life.

Episode 33 EP 33
Van Cliburn: Concert Pianist

Biography of the legendary pianist, and his 1994 summer tour.

Episode 34 EP 34
Admiral William 'Bull' Halsey

Admiral William 'Bull' Halsey

Episode 35 EP 35
FDR: The War Years

Follow the life and career of the famed politician in the years before he became president, and explore the forces that shaped his vision.

Episode 36 EP 36
Hirohito

Hirohito

Episode 37 EP 37
Clint Eastwood: The Man from Malpaso

A look at the life and career of actor/director Clint Eastwood, including scenes from his past film and television work and interviews with…

Episode 38 EP 38
Santa Claus

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 C…

Episode 39 EP 39
Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop

A look at the career of the entertainer and puppeteer and her sassy sheep character.

Episode 40 EP 40
Stooges: The Men Behind the Mayhem

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 c…

Episode 41 EP 41
FDR: Years of Crisis
Episode 42 EP 42
Andrew Carnegie: Prince of Steel
Episode 43 EP 43
Andrew Jackson: A Man for the People

A portrait of "Old Hickory," President Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), from his Tennessee law days through his military career to his tenure as…

Episode 44 EP 44
Aristotle Onassis: The Golden Greek
Episode 45 EP 45
Attila: Scourge of God
Episode 46 EP 46
Benedict Arnold: Triumph and Treason
Episode 47 EP 47
Charles Dickens: A Tale of Ambition and Genius
Episode 48 EP 48
Charles Manson: Journey into Evil
Episode 49 EP 49
Charlton Heston: For All Seasons
Episode 50 EP 50
Christopher Columbus: Explorer of the New World
Episode 51 EP 51
Crazy Horse: The Last Warrior
Episode 52 EP 52
Daniel Boone
Episode 53 EP 53
Genghis Khan: Terror and Conquest
Episode 54 EP 54
George Custer: Showdown at the Little Bighorn
Episode 55 EP 55
Goebbels: Master of Propaganda
Episode 56 EP 56
H.G. Wells: Time Traveler
Episode 57 EP 57
Hercules: Power of the Gods
Episode 58 EP 58
Huey Long: The Kingfish
Episode 59 EP 59
Jack the Ripper: Phantom of Death
Episode 60 EP 60
John Dillinger: Public Enemy #1
Episode 61 EP 61
John Wilkes Booth: Assassin in the Spotlight
Episode 62 EP 62
Lee Harvey Oswald: An American Tragedy
Episode 63 EP 63
Leif Ericson: Voyages of a Viking
Episode 64 EP 64
Malcolm X: A Search for Identity
Episode 65 EP 65
Marco Polo: Journey to the East
Episode 66 EP 66
Mozart
Episode 67 EP 67
Nostradamus: Prophet of Doom
Episode 68 EP 68
Patrick Henry: Voice of Liberty
Episode 69 EP 69
Ponce de León: The First Conquistador
Episode 70 EP 70
Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective
Episode 71 EP 71
Sitting Bull: Chief of the Lakota Nation
Episode 72 EP 72
Susan B. Anthony: Rebel for the Cause
Episode 73 EP 73
The Gettys: A Tragedy of Riches
Episode 74 EP 74
The James Gang: Outlaw Brothers
Episode 75 EP 75
The Red Baron: Master of the Air
Episode 76 EP 76
The Vanderbilts: An American Dynasty
Episode 77 EP 77
Theodore Roosevelt: Roughrider to Rushmore
Episode 78 EP 78
Thomas Jefferson: Philosopher of Freedom
Episode 79 EP 79
Tokyo Rose: Victim of Propaganda
Episode 80 EP 80
Wild Bill Hickock: Gentleman of the Old West
Episode 81 EP 81
Yitzhak Rabin: Soldier of Peace

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