Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004), better known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records. He also helped racially integrate country and pop music during the 1960s with his crossover success on ABC Records, most notably with his Modern Sounds albums. While with ABC, Charles became one of the first African-American musicians to be given artistic control by a mainstream record company. Frank Sinatra called Charles “the only true genius in show business.”
Rolling Stone ranked Charles number 10 on their list of "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" in 2004, and number two on their November 2008 list of "100 Greatest Singers of All Time". In honoring Charles, Billy Joel noted: "This may sound like sacrilege, but I think Ray Charles was more important than Elvis Presley. I don't know if Ray was the architect of rock & roll, but he was certainly the first guy to do a lot of things . . . Who the hell ever put so many styles together and made it work?"
| Known For | Acting |
|---|---|
| Most Rating | 1.126 |
| Birthday | 1930-09-23 |
| Place of Birth | Albany, Georgia, USA |
| Also Known As |
1980
The Blues Brothers
7.717/4548
Jake Blues, just released from prison, puts his old band back together to save the Catholic home where he and his brother Elwood were raised.
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The Blues Brothers
1990
The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
6.833/27
While the Muppets prepare a tribute to the late Jim Henson, they learn about the life and career of the renowned puppeteer/film maker.
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The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
1968
Ray Charles - La Salle Pleyel, Paris
7/2
On October 8th, 1968, Ray Charles, the Raelettes and accompanying musicians performed a televised concert at the Salle Playel, in Paris. The performan...
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Ray Charles - La Salle Pleyel, Paris
2023
Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love
8.4/11
Paying tribute to a beloved national icon for her birthday, NBC celebrates Carol Burnett’s illustrious career with a star-studded event featuring an A...
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Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love
1977
The Beatles Forever
0/0
A musical salute to The Beatles.
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The Beatles Forever
2008
Ray Charles: Live At Montreux 1997
6.9/4
The unforgettable Ray Charles swings and sings with the best of them in this finger-snapping live performance at the 1997 Montreux Jazz Festival. The...
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Ray Charles: Live At Montreux 1997
2022
Piano Greats at the BBC
7.7/3
A collection of songs from the kings and queens of the keyboards, whose performances have captivated audiences over the decades and across a selection...
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Piano Greats at the BBC
1965
Ballad in Blue
7/8
Ray Charles plays himself in this film where he helps blind boy David in his struggle to regain his sight. David’s over-protective mother Peggy is afr...
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Ballad in Blue
2002
Ray Charles: Live: Montreux Jazz Festival
0/0
This concert was filmed at the Montreux Jazz Festival on July 19, 1997 and features Ray Charles and his orchestra, led by sax player Al Jackson, and o...
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Ray Charles: Live: Montreux Jazz Festival
1965
The Big T.N.T. Show
8.5/2
Live performances by some of the top rock-and-roll acts of the mid 60s. Includes Ray Charles, The Byrds, Joan Baez, Ike and Tina Turner, Donovan, The...
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The Big T.N.T. Show
2003
Piano Blues
6.5/10
Director — and piano player — Clint Eastwood explores his life-long passion for piano blues, using a treasure trove of rare historical footage in addi...
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Piano Blues
2004
Ray Charles: O-Genio - Live In Brazil 1963
4.2/2
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Ray Charles: O-Genio - Live In Brazil 1963
2001
Ray Charles - In Concert
0/0
The name Ray Charles stands for superstar worldwide. He is an icon in the music world, has a star on Hollywood Boulevard's Walk of Fame, a bronze bust...
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Ray Charles - In Concert
1984
I Love Quincy
0/0
Documentary profile of musician and producer Quincy Jones
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I Love Quincy
2003
Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin'
9/2
Country music legend and American icon Willie Nelson is joined on stage by some of the biggest names in music for a once-in-a-lifetime concert event t...
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Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin'
2006
Ray Charles: Live at the Olympia
0/0
Legendary musician Ray Charles turned the lemons of transportation trouble into the sweet lemonade of an unplugged concert. With his band stranded at...
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Ray Charles: Live at the Olympia
2000
Blue's Big Musical Movie
8.4/10
Get ready for lots of musical fun in this first full-length movie based on the popular Nick Jr. TV series for preschoolers. Just as friendly cartoon p...
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Blue's Big Musical Movie
2007
Glen Campbell | Good Times Again
9/0
In the late 60s Glen Campbell had the world on a string or better yet strings. It was his smooth vocals and warm personality on his hits like Wichita...
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Glen Campbell | Good Times Again
1988
Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration
8/1
The life, career, and music of Irving Berlin are celebrated live on stage with musical performances.
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Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration
2022
Rat Pack
9/2
In the 1950s, a small group of artists monopolized the attention of the cameras and the public. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bish...
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Rat Pack
2005
The Blues Brothers: Transposing The Music
0/0
A look at Dan and John's partnership and the music
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The Blues Brothers: Transposing The Music
2024
The Greatest Night in Pop
7.845/275
On a January night in 1985, music's biggest stars gathered to record "We Are the World." This documentary goes behind the scenes of the historic event...
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The Greatest Night in Pop
1989
Legends of Rock 'n' Roll
9/2
Are you ready for some old-time rock and roll?! Then you are ready for the masters, the originators, the men who made the music, the "Legends of Rock...
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Legends of Rock 'n' Roll
1995
Sinatra: 80 Years My Way
0/0
'Ol' Blue Eyes' eightieth birthday celebration; star-studded entertainment, tributes by a diverse company of guests, songs closely associated with Sin...
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Sinatra: 80 Years My Way
1998
Quincy Jones...The First 50 Years
0/0
The composer-arranger-producer is honored in a tribute taped in 1997.
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Quincy Jones...The First 50 Years
1987
The Beach Boys: 25 Years Together - A Celebration In Waikiki
0/0
Enjoy the Beach Boys in a 90 minute concert celebrating their 25 year anniversary with guest artists like Glen Campbell, Ray Charles, The Everly Broth...
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The Beach Boys: 25 Years Together - A Celebration In Waikiki
2022
2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
8.2/11
The 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony take place on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California....
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2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
2004
Rockin' Pianos
0/0
1. Introduction 2. The Fat Man - Fats Domino 3. Walking To New Orleans - Fats Domino 4. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino 5. Shake, Rattle And Roll - F...
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Rockin' Pianos
2022
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
6.635/26
Never-before-heard personal recordings and archival footage tell the story of Louis Armstrong's life from his perspective. From musical phenom to civi...
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Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
2014
Face of Unity
0/0
Face Of Unity is the definitive Nelson Mandela documentary feature and first retrospective to be released since the president's death in late 2013. It...
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Face of Unity
1981
Ray Charles Live - In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony
7/1
This DVD was recorded on January 27, 1981 in Edmonton, Alberta at Jubilee Auditorium. It captures Ray Charles at his finest as a live performer, and i...
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Ray Charles Live - In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony
2023
They All Came Out to Montreux
8.5/2
Utilizing a wealth of archival footage featuring Prince, Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis and more, They All Came Out to Montreux is an affectionate story...
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They All Came Out to Montreux
1996
Spy Hard
5.4/759
The evil Gen. Rancor has his sights set on world domination, and only one man can stop him: Dick Steele, also known as Agent WD-40. Rancor needs to ob...
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Spy Hard
1978
NBC Salutes the 25th Anniversary of the Wonderful World of Disney
7/1
Walt Disney Presents, Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color, Disney’s Wonderful World, Walt Disney, The Disney Sunday Movie, The Magical World of Dis...
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NBC Salutes the 25th Anniversary of the Wonderful World of Disney
2004
Tom Dowd & The Language of Music
7.429/14
Tom Dowd & the Language Of Music profiles the extraordinary life and legendary work of music producer/recording engineer Tom Dowd. Historical footage,...
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Tom Dowd & The Language of Music
2007
Atlantic Records: The House That Ahmet Built
7/2
This American Masters episode showcases the wonderful influence of Ahmet Ertegun, the founder of Atlantic Records. Since the label's founding in 1947,...
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Atlantic Records: The House That Ahmet Built
2007
Fats Domino: Walking to New Orleans
7/1
1. Introduction
2. I'm Walking
3. Blueberry Hill
4. MyBlue Heaven
5. Blue Monday
6. Hello Josephine
7. I Want To Walk You Home
8. I'm Ready
9....
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Fats Domino: Walking to New Orleans
2004
TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
6/2
Discover how television has reflected the African American experience in this retrospective of the medium's first half-century. Actors, writers and hi...
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TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
1973
Barbra Streisand... and Other Musical Instruments
8.2/10
A mulitcultural musical potpourri, Barbra's fifth television spectacular is her most adventurous. Performing a startling array of new songs and classi...
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Barbra Streisand... and Other Musical Instruments
2008
Jazz Evolution
6/1
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Jazz Evolution
1989
Limit Up
4.5/4
Casey is the assistant of commodity trader Peter Oak, but wants to get a license herself. When the diabolic Nike appears and promises to make her succ...
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Limit Up
1990
Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones
8/2
The extraordinary life of Quincy Jones -- one of the 20th century's most influential and talented composers, musicians and music producers -- provides...
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Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones
1979
Ray Charles: Angels Keep Watching Over Me
6/1
The Voices of Jubilation present Ray Charles. Region 0 Ray Charles was a pioneering American pianist and soul musician who shaped the sound of rhythm...
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Ray Charles: Angels Keep Watching Over Me
2004
Hank Williams: Honky Tonk Blues
7/2
The authoritative documentary on Country Music's most influential figure.
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Hank Williams: Honky Tonk Blues
2012
Jazzline - Ray Charles & Orchestra
0/0
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Jazzline - Ray Charles & Orchestra
2006
Ray Charles with the Voices of Jubilation Choir
0/0
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Ray Charles with the Voices of Jubilation Choir
2002
The Willie Nelson Special - With Special Guest Ray Charles
8.5/2
Recorded in 1984, Willie Nelson, one of the most influential musical figures of the past quarter century performs on this DVD for the first time with...
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The Willie Nelson Special - With Special Guest Ray Charles
2008
Ray Charles: The Legend Lives On
0/0
American R&B icon Ray Charles lets loose on this collection of electrifying live performances from throughout his legendary career.
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Ray Charles: The Legend Lives On
2004
Ray Charles: Soul of the Holy Land
7/1
Ray Charles' 1973 tour of the Holy Land is memorialized in this inspiring concert documentary, highlighting his sold-out performance in Tel Aviv, and...
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Ray Charles: Soul of the Holy Land
1991
Montreux Jazz Festival 1991
0/0
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Montreux Jazz Festival 1991
2006
Burt Sugarman's The Midnight Special: 1976
0/0
Live performances from a television music show that aired late night on the NBC-TV network the U.S.
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Burt Sugarman's The Midnight Special: 1976
2011
Ray Charles - Live in France 1961
7.2/73
Lost for 50 years, these newly discovered concerts were filmed at the 1961 Antibes Jazz Festival in France and show Ray Charles in his prime period wi...
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Ray Charles - Live in France 1961
1986
The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years
6.4/5
For the first time in their careers, all the Muppets (except the ones that couldn't make it, like the Doozers, Gorgs and most of the Fraggles) have ga...
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The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years
1985
We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song
8.385/13
We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song is a documentary which examines how the song was written, how producer Quincy Jones and songwriters Michae...
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We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song
1994
The World of Jim Henson
7.429/7
In this episode of PBS' Great Performances, the history and legacy of puppeteer Jim Henson is explored, from his six-second commercial beginnings to a...
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The World of Jim Henson
2001
Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration
8.033/61
Celebrating the 30 year anniversary of Michael Jackson's solo career, this legendary performance took place on September 10, 2001.
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Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration
1961
Swingin' Along
6/2
An amateur tunesmith and a con man pool their resources in order to win first prize in a songwriting contest.
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Swingin' Along
1985
The Statue of Liberty
6.867/15
For more than 100 years, the Statue of Liberty has been a symbol of hope and refuge for generations of immigrants. In this lyrical, compelling and pro...
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The Statue of Liberty
1993
Willie Nelson: The Big Six-O
8/1
Willie Nelson and friends celebrate his sixtieth birthday in a star-studded concert event.
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Willie Nelson: The Big Six-O
2001
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1
0/0
This Bob Hope Special called “Highlights of a Quarter Century” begins his 26th year with NBC in 1975 (he began with NBC radio in 1937) celebrating 25...
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The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1
2001
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2
0/0
This Bob Hope Special called “Highlights of a Quarter Century” begins his 26th year with NBC in 1975 (he began with NBC radio in 1937) celebrating 25...
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The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2
1980
Ray Charles At The North Sea Jazz Festival
0/0
Live Concert: Northsea Jazz Festival, Prins Willem Alexanderzaal, Congresgebouw, The Hague – July 13, 1980.
Period: The Tangerine/Crossover/Atlantic...
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Ray Charles At The North Sea Jazz Festival
2004
Ray Charles: Genius Loves Company
0/0
DVD that accompanied the CD release. Has behind the scenes and rehearsal footage.
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Ray Charles: Genius Loves Company
1986
Billy Joel: Building the Bridge
0/0
In 1986, Billy Joel released the album titled The Bridge on July 29th on Columbia Records. Go behind the scenes with Billy and learn about the songwri...
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Billy Joel: Building the Bridge
1994
Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice
10/1
Ray investigates the murder of a psychiatrist.
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Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice
1983
Ray Charles: A Man & His Soul
0/0
A special celebrating Ray Charles' 40 years in show business, taped at the Cocoanut Grove club in LA in the early summer of 1983.
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Ray Charles: A Man & His Soul
1980
John Schneider: Back Home
0/0
John Schneider stars in a musical tribute to his home state of Georgia with guest stars Ray Charles and Barbara Mandrell
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John Schneider: Back Home
1981
Lynda Carter's Celebration
9/3
Lynda Carter's third musical TV special.
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Lynda Carter's Celebration
1994
Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever!
7/3
Sesame Street All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever! was a 1994 TV special that aired on ABC to celebrate Sesame Street's 25th anniversary....
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Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever!
1978
The Second Barry Manilow Special
7/1
Barry's second TV special aired on ABC in 1978.
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The Second Barry Manilow Special
1994
Love Affair
5.435/62
Ex-football star Mike Gambril meets Terry McKay on a flight to Sydney, which is forced to land on a small atoll. They become romantic on board a ship...
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Love Affair
2009
O Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar
0/0
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O Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar
1983
Hallelujah Gospel
0/0
Straight from the magnificent Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, come vaulting gospel sounds that will warm your heart and have you "beari...
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Hallelujah Gospel
2025
Merci Dorothée !
7.7/3
A spectacular evening hosted by Nikos Aliagas to honor the legendary Dorothée, who shaped the childhood of millions in France. Today’s stars, who grew...
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Merci Dorothée !
2025
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
7.842/19
Untold stories behind the culture-defining and newsmaking musical performances, sketches and cameos of the past 50 years.
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Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
2021
Like a Rolling Stone: The Life & Times of Ben Fong-Torres
7.3/3
Suzanne Joe Kai's intimate documentary shows us how the Rolling Stone writer and editor defined the cultural zeitgeist of the ’60s and ’70s.
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Like a Rolling Stone: The Life & Times of Ben Fong-Torres
2007
Fats and Friends
9/1
Recorded in 1986 this is a fantastic DVD. Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Ray Charles performing 17 tracks with a back up band led by the Stones' Ro...
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Fats and Friends
2023
Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan
6.5/6
Ed Sullivan broke barriers by booking Black artists on his Sunday night variety show. This documentary spotlights the TV pioneer's legacy of equality.
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Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan
Say Hello to Our Good Friend Paul Shaffer
0/0
A feature documentary about Paul Shaffer, best known David Letterman’s longtime sidekick and Late Show bandleader.
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Say Hello to Our Good Friend Paul Shaffer
2025
Quincy Jones | Music Man
9/2
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Quincy Jones | Music Man
1993
Sesame Street Jam: A Musical Celebration
7/4
Sesame Street Jam: A Musical Celebration is a special produced forSesame Street’s 25th anniversary. Released in a slightly different form on video as...
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Sesame Street Jam: A Musical Celebration
2007
Rolling With the Blues
0/0
Compilation of live performances by various blues artists.
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