Nitrate

Biography

  • TV-14
  • 1987–
  • 21 seasons
  • Documentary
  • 6.7

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.

Episodes

2 episodes
  1. 2Gordon Ramsay

    Apr 21, 2011

    Chart the rise of the fiery, driven chef whose uncompromising standards and explosive personality made him one of the most recognizable figures in modern food culture. The episode follows Ramsay from his early ambitions as a professional footballer, through the injury that redirected his life toward the kitchen, to his rigorous training under legendary chefs in France and London. Biography explores the discipline and perfectionism that fueled his ascent, leading to Michelin‑starred restaurants and global acclaim. It also examines the creation of his television persona—sharp‑tongued, demanding, yet deeply committed to mentoring others—through shows like Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, and MasterChef. Interviews, archival footage, and personal reflections reveal a man whose intensity masks a genuine passion for excellence, family, and the craft of cooking.

  2. 6Scarlett Johansson

    60 minDec 23, 2011

    Trace the evolution of the actress who grew from a precociously talented child performer into one of the most versatile and bankable stars of her generation. The episode follows Johansson from her early breakout in films like The Horse Whisperer and Ghost World to her acclaimed transition into adult roles, where her understated intensity and emotional nuance set her apart. Biography explores her collaborations with directors such as Sofia Coppola and Woody Allen, her leap into global stardom as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and her continued range in projects spanning drama, comedy, and voice acting. The program also touches on her life off‑screen—her advocacy, her approach to fame, and the determination that has shaped her career. Through interviews and archival footage, the episode paints a portrait of an actress whose blend of talent, intelligence, and resilience has made her a defining figure of contemporary cinema.

Where to watch Biography

Not currently streaming in United States

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Availability from JustWatch, via TMDB.

Series cast

Peter GravesSelf - Host267 episodes
Jack PerkinsHost194 episodes
Scarlett JohanssonSelf1 episode
Aileen WuornosSelf (archive footage)1 episode
Dawn BotkinsSelf - Aileen's Childhood Friend1 episode
Arlene PralleSelf1 episode
Steve GlazerSelf - Defense Attorney1 episode
Tyria MooreSelf - Aileen's Girlfriend1 episode
Donna Jay FulksAileen Wuornos (voice)1 episode
Eva BraunSelf (archive footage)1 episode
Adolf HitlerSelf (archive footage)1 episode
Paul KaupNarrator1 episode
Heinrich HoffmannSelf - Photographer (archive footage)1 episode
Nerin GunSelf - Biographer (archive footage)1 episode
Justin BarrettNarrator (voice)1 episode
Kevin Smith1 episode
Dave ChappelleHimself (archival footage)1 episode
Ken TuckerHimself1 episode

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