James Brown - Actor Profile

James Brown

Acting
Freshness: Jan 25, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: May 3, 1933
Birth Place: Barnwell, South Carolina, USA

About James Brown

James Brown (May 3, 1933 - December 25, 2006) was an American singer and songwriter, eventually referred to as "The Godfather of Soul"(GFOS). Brown started singing in gospel groups and worked his way on up. He has been recognized as one of the most iconic figures in the 20th century popular music and was renowned for his vocals and feverish dancing. He was also called "the hardest-working man in show business". Brown began his professional music career in 1956 and rose to fame during the late 1950s and early 1960s on the strength of his thrilling live performances and string of smash hits. In spite of various personal problems and setbacks he continued to score hits in every decade through the 1980s. In addition to his acclaim in music, Brown was also a presence in American political affairs during the 1960s and 1970s.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of James Brown reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Music

The majority of James Brown's filmography leans towards the Music genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 62% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), James Brown remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in RapLine, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best James Brown Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from James Brown's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of James Brown.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2025 Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2023 Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2022 Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2021 Nueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2021 Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage Self (archive footage) Average Similar →
2021 Best of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go! Self (archive footage) Flop Similar →
2019 Africa Rising Self - Musician (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2019 The Apollo Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2019 Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast Self - Singer (archive footage) Flop Similar →
2018 1968: A Year of War, Turmoil and Beyond Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2014 The Story of Funk: One Nation Under a Groove - Hit Similar →
2014 James Brown - The Man, The Music & The Message Self Super Hit Similar →
2014 Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2014 Finding the Funk Self Hit Similar →
2012 Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’ Self (archive footage) Flop Similar →
2011 The Real Rocky Self (archive footage) Average Similar →
2009 Soul Power Self (archive footage) Average Similar →
2009 Sex in '69: The Sexual Revolution in America Self Hit Similar →
2008 James Brown Live At The Apollo '68 Self Flop Similar →
2008 James Brown Live At The Boston Garden - April 5, 1968 Self Flop Similar →
2008 James Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2007 The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1977 - Hit Similar →
2006 George Clinton: Tales of Dr Funkenstein Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2006 Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer Self (archive footage) Flop Similar →
2005 Live 8 Self Hit Similar →
2005 Robots Diesel (archive footage) (uncredited) Hit Similar →
2004 James Brown: Body Heat Self Hit Similar →
2004 Casey Kasem's Rock 'n' Roll Goldmine: The Soul Years Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2004 TV in Black: The First Fifty Years Self (archive footage) Flop Similar →
2003 James Brown: Soul Survivor Self Super Hit Similar →
2002 Beat the Devil Mr. James Brown Hit Similar →
2002 The Tuxedo James Brown Average Similar →
2002 Undercover Brother Self Average Similar →
2002 It's Black Entertainment Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
1998 Holy Man James Brown Flop Similar →
1998 Blues Brothers 2000 Cleophus James Flop Similar →
1996 When We Were Kings Self Super Hit Similar →
1995 Cincinnati's Rock 'N Roll Legends Self Average Similar →
1993 RapLine Self Super Hit Similar →
1991 James Brown Live in Berlin - Hit Similar →
1989 Legends of Rock 'n' Roll James Brown Super Hit Similar →
1985 Rocky IV The Godfather of Soul Hit Similar →
1985 James Brown - Live At Chastain Park Himself Average Similar →
1983 Doctor Detroit Bandleader Flop Similar →
1981 James Brown: Live at Montreux Self Super Hit Similar →
1980 The Blues Brothers Cleophus James Super Hit Similar →
1978 James Brown Soul Brother No. 1 - Super Hit Similar →
1970 The Phynx James Brown Flop Similar →
1965 Ski Party Self Average Similar →
1964 The T.A.M.I. Show Self Super Hit Similar →

James Brown - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of James Brown?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring James Brown is "RapLine" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has James Brown acted in?

James Brown has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by James Brown?

Other notable films include "Casey Kasem's Rock 'n' Roll Goldmine: The Soul Years", "Legends of Rock 'n' Roll", and "Nueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York".