American Masters

Discover insightful profiles of important figures in America's artistic and cultural life.

Episodes

  • Bella! This Woman’s Place is in the House: asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    Bella! This Woman’s Place is in the House

    S37 Ep10 |
    Follow the meteoric rise of firebrand politician and activist Bella Abzug.
  • José Clemente Orozco: Man of Fire: asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    José Clemente Orozco: Man of Fire

    S21 Ep7 |
    Mexican muralist José Clemente Orozco led a life filled with drama, adversity & triumph.
  • Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes: asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes

    S37 Ep9 |
    Experience the groundbreaking sounds of bebop pioneer and virtuoso composer Max Roach.
  • A Song for Cesar: asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    A Song for Cesar

    S37 Ep8 |
    Trace the life and legacy of labor activist Cesar Chavez through music and the arts.
  • Floyd Abrams: Speaking Freely: asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    Floyd Abrams: Speaking Freely

    S37 Ep7 |
    Follow the 50-year career of First Amendment lawyer and legal expert Floyd Abrams.
  • Jerry Brown: The Disrupter: asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    Jerry Brown: The Disrupter

    S37 Ep6 |
    Experience the political and personal journey of California governor Jerry Brown.
  • Little Richard: King and Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll: asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    Little Richard: King and Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll

    S37 Ep5 |
    Experience the meteoric rise and enduring legacy of Little Richard.
  • Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TV: asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TV

    S37 Ep4 |
    See the world through the eyes of Nam June Paik, the father of video art.
  • In The Making: asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    In The Making

    S37 Ep3 |
    Follow two performers as they break down barriers in opera and country music.

Specials

  • John Singleton on having Maya Angelou as a mentor: asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    John Singleton on having Maya Angelou as a mentor

    John Singleton came to Maya Angelou for guidance while working on "Poetic Justice."
  • Steve Martin on how David Geffen thrived through friendships: asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    Steve Martin on how David Geffen thrived through friendships

    Steve Martin discusses how David Geffen found Hollywood success through his friendships.
  • Filmmaker Jonas Mekas on living in Andy Warhol's New York: asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    Filmmaker Jonas Mekas on living in Andy Warhol's New York

    Filmmaker Jonas Mekas describes the burgeoning art scene of New York City in the 1960s.
  • Protactile: A Language of Touch: asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    Protactile: A Language of Touch

    DeafBlind people are creating a new language called Protactile, based solely on touch.
  • Protactile: A Language of Touch [Audio Description + ASL]: asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    Protactile: A Language of Touch [Audio Description + ASL]

    DeafBlind people are creating a new language called Protactile, based solely on touch.
  • Protactile: A Language of Touch [Extended Audio Description]: asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    Protactile: A Language of Touch [Extended Audio Description]

    DeafBlind people are creating a new language called Protactile, based solely on touch.
  • André Leon Talley on Mae West’s impact on fashion and style: asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    André Leon Talley on Mae West’s impact on fashion and style

    André Leon Talley recounts how Mae West used fashion and her sexuality to empower herself.
  • Fran Drescher on being a showrunner for the American sitcom: asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    Fran Drescher on being a showrunner for the American sitcom

    Fran Drescher talks about how she took inspiration from Lucille Ball for "The Nanny."
  • James Earl Jones on Sidney Poitier and acting: asset-mezzanine-16x9
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    James Earl Jones on Sidney Poitier and acting

    James Earl Jones talks Sidney Poitier's impact on himself and other young Black actors.

About American Masters

American Masters, committed to producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.

Extras