
William Greaves
DirectingAbout William Greaves
William Greaves (October 8, 1926 – August 25, 2014) was a documentary filmmaker and a pioneer of African-American filmmaking. He produced more than two hundred documentary films, and wrote and directed more than half of these. Greaves garnered many accolades for his work, including four Emmy nominations, one of which he won for his work as executive producer on the African-American news program Black Journal. Description above from the Wikipedia article William Greaves, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
William Greaves Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of William Greaves reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 14 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of William Greaves's work falls within the Documentary genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 21% of William Greaves's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Discovering William Greaves, which stands out as a key performance.
Best William Greaves Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from William Greaves's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie William Greaves has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Once Upon a Time in Harlem | Self (archival footage) | Flop | Similar → |
| 2017 | The Man Who Built Cambodia | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 2007 | Our Paul: Remembering Paul Robeson | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 2006 | Discovering William Greaves | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2005 | Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take 2½ | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1989 | That's Black Entertainment | Host/Narrator | Flop | Similar → |
| 1986 | Black Power in America: Myth or Reality? | Narrator/Interviewer | Average | Similar → |
| 1968 | Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One | Self - Director | Hit | Similar → |
| 1966 | The First World Festival of Negro Arts | Narrator | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | Souls of Sin | Isaiah 'Alabama' Lee | Average | Similar → |
| 1949 | Lost Boundaries | Arthur 'Art' Cooper | Average | Similar → |
| 1948 | Miracle in Harlem | Bert Hallam | Average | Similar → |
| 1948 | The Fight Never Ends | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1947 | Sepia Cinderella | Patron | Flop | Similar → |
William Greaves - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of William Greaves?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring William Greaves is "Discovering William Greaves" with a rating of 7.0/10.
How many movies has William Greaves acted in?
William Greaves has been featured in at least 14 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by William Greaves?
Other notable films include "Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One", "The First World Festival of Negro Arts", and "Lost Boundaries".




