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American Masters

  • TV-14
  • 1986–
  • 40 seasons
  • Documentary
  • 7.0

American Masters is a PBS television series which produces biographies on enduring writers, musicians, visual and performing artists, dramatists, filmmakers, and others who have left an indelible impression on the cultural landscape of the United States.

Episodes

9 episodes
  1. 1Mike Nichols

    90 minJan 29, 2016

    The life and 50-year career of director Mike Nichols, one of only two people who have won Peabody, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards.

  2. 2B.B. King: The Life of Riley

    90 minFeb 12, 2016

    The challenging life and career of blues guitarist B.B. King; candid interviews feature Bono, Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and Ringo Starr.

  3. 3Carole King: Natural Woman

    90 minFeb 19, 2016

    Rare home movies, performances and photos help illustrate the life and career of singer-songwriter Carole King, from 1960s New York to Los Angeles in the 1970s to the present.

  4. 4Fats Domino and the Birth of Rock 'n' Roll

    90 minFeb 26, 2016

    The New Orleans rhythm and blues of Fats Domino helped aid integration in the South.

  5. 5Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl

    90 minMar 4, 2016

    A profile of country music icon Loretta Lynn, whose hard-fought road to stardom was dramatized in the 1980 film "Coal Miner's Daughter." Included: home movies, photos and concert footage, plus insights from family, friends and fellow musicians, including Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson, Jack White and Trisha Yearwood.

  6. 6Janis: Little Girl Blue

    90 minMay 3, 2016

    One of the most revered and influential rock ’n’ roll singers of all time, Janis Joplin (January 19, 1943 – October 4, 1970) thrilled audiences and blazed new creative trails before her death at age 27. Oscar-nominated director Amy Berg (Deliver Us From Evil, West of Memphis, Prophet’s Prey) examines Joplin’s story in depth, for the first time on film, presenting an intimate portrait of a complicated and driven artist.

  7. 7The Highwaymen: Friends Till the End

    90 minMay 27, 2016

    Discover the story behind the pioneering outlaw country music supergroup that featured Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson, told through vintage performances and new interviews about life on the road and in the studio.

  8. 8Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You

    90 minOct 25, 2016

    Writer/producer Norman Lear's turbulent childhood, early success with sitcoms “All in the Family,” “The Jeffersons,” “Good Times” and “Maude,” and social activism.

  9. 9Eero Saarinen: The Architect Who Saw the Future

    90 minDec 27, 2016

    The film explores the life and visionary work of Finnish-American modernist architectural giant Eero Saarinen (1910-1961). Best known for designing National Historic Landmarks such as St. Louis’ iconic Gateway Arch and the General Motors Technical Center (Warren, Mich.), Saarinen also designed New York’s TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Yale University’s Ingalls Rink and Morse and Ezra Stiles Colleges, Virginia’s Dulles Airport, and modernist pedestal furniture like the Tulip chair.

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Availability from JustWatch, via TMDB. Full listing for United States

Series cast

Hillary ClintonSelf3 episodes
Mike NicholsSelf3 episodes
Gloria SteinemSelf2 episodes
Steve MartinSelf2 episodes
Scarlett JohanssonSelf1 episode
Goran VišnjićRobert Capa (voice)1 episode
Patsy ClineSelf (archive footage)1 episode
Maya AngelouSelf1 episode
Sidney LumetSelf1 episode
Oprah WinfreySelf1 episode
CommonSelf1 episode
Bill ClintonSelf1 episode
Jane AlexanderNarrator1 episode
Graeme MalcomJohn Muir (voice)1 episode
Denis O'HareEdgar Allan Poe1 episode
Kathleen TurnerNarrator (voice)1 episode
Peter FalkSelf1 episode
Billie Jean KingSelf1 episode

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