Most Viewed From American Masters Pictures

In 1987, Marlee Matlin became the first Deaf actor to win an Academy Award and was thrust into the spotlight at 21 years old. Reflecting on her life...

Genre: Documentary

Cast: Marlee Matlin

Janis Joplin's evolution into a star from letters that Joplin wrote over the years to her friends, family, and collaborators.

Genre: Documentary

Cast: Janis Joplin

An immersive look at the eventful life and brilliant artistic career of visionary American jazz trumpeter Miles Davis (1926-1991).

Genre: Documentary

Cast: Carl Lumbly

Rita Moreno defied both her humble upbringing and relentless racism to become one of a select group who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony...

Genre: Documentary

Cast: Rita Moreno

Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage is a warm and revealing portrait of the charismatic, groundbreaking actor’s journey from...

Genre: Documentary

Cast: Raúl Juliá

A celebration of Dr. Maya Angelou by weaving her words with rare and intimate archival photographs and videos, which paint hidden moments of her...

Genre: Documentary

Cast: Maya Angelou

The extraordinary life story of science fiction and fantasy writer Ursula K. Le Guin (1929-2018) who, in spite of remaining for many years on the...

Genre: Documentary

Cast: Ursula K. Le Guin

The story of the legendary wits who lunched daily at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City during the 1920s. The core of the so-called Round Table...

Genre: Documentary

Cast: Heywood Hale Broun

Alvin Ailey was a visionary artist who found salvation through dance. Told in his own words and through the creation of a dance inspired by his life,...

Genre: Documentary

Cast: Robert Battle

A leading acting teacher who trained some of the most famous performers of the stage and screen, Sanford Meisner was a founding member of the Group...

Genre: Documentary

Cast: Sanford Meisner

First and foremost, Frank Gehry is an artist. Described as a young child as having golden hands, Frank begins his creation through sketch. Forming...

Genre: Documentary

Cast: Frank Gehry

Ric Burns unearths rarely seen footage and offers keen observations on the life and artistic influence of Andy Warhol. [Made for and aired on PBS's...

Genre: Documentary

Cast: Andy Warhol

This artful and intimate meditation on the legendary storyteller examines her life, her works, and the powerful themes she has confronted throughout...

Genre: Documentary

Cast: Toni Morrison

A visual journey into the mind and soul of Pulitzer Prize–winning author Navarro Scott Momaday, relating each written line to his unique Native...

Genre: Documentary

Cast: N. Scott Momaday

From Schubert to Strauss, Bach to Brahms, Mozart to…Billy Joel, Itzhak Perlman’s violin playing transcends mere performance to evoke the...

Genre: Documentary

Cast: Itzhak Perlman

During his career, Bob Hope was the only performer to achieve top-rated success in every form of mass entertainment. American Masters explores the...

Genre: Documentary

Cast: Bob Hope

Biographical portrait of one of Broadway's most brilliant songwriters. Told through the use of archival material and interviews with the rich and...

Genre: Documentary

Cast: Bobby Short

An exploration of the life and work of the legendary neurologist and storyteller, as he shares intimate details of his battles with drug addiction,...

Genre: Documentary

Cast: Oliver Sacks

Joni Mitchell's career as a singer-songwriter and painter is extensively profiled in this in-depth documentary, which originally aired as part of the...

Genre: Documentary

Cast: Joni Mitchell

James Baldwin was at once a major 20th century American author, a Civil Rights activist and, for two crucial decades, a prophetic voice calling...

Genre: Documentary

Cast: James Baldwin