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
1. 6 Apr. 1987
No description available for this episode.
2. Al Capone: Scarface
In the thrilling underworld of speakeasies, Tommy Guns and turf wars, Al Capone was the undisputed emperor of Chicago. Scarface was many things to many people a ruthless and vindictive murderer, a generous patron, and a wild and glamorous impresario. But to all, Capone is the most notorious gangster in American history. Follow his journey from the immigrant neighborhood of his youth to the glittering circles of Chicago's powerful elite with this in-depth program. Rare photographs, films and exclusive interviews paint an extraordinary portrait of the man who became the ultimate American anti-hero. And historians reveal how accountants brought down the ruler of a vast criminal empire. Learn the true story of the legendary gangster who will forever be known as Scarface.
3. Bob Hope: America's Entertainer
His career started in the glory days of vaudeville. More than 70 years later, he is revered as the most popular and influential entertainer of the century, the show-biz giant all others are measured against. On stage and screen, on TV and radio, on Broadway and USO stages worldwide, Bob Hope has enjoyed a career of unmatched popularity. In this special, feature-length presentation, Biography traces his remarkable life, from his vaudeville debut he had third billing, behind a trained seal to entertaining the troops of Desert Storm. Extensive clips capture his greatest performances, while family photos and the recollections of friends, colleagues and family provide an intimate portrait of the private man. And Hope himself reflects on his life and legacy, from his groundbreaking work in TV and radio to his close friendships with U.S. presidents. Biography proudly presents the incredible life of an entertainer who has left his mark not just on his profession, but on the nation.
4. Bugsy Siegel
He was handsome. He was glamorous. And in a world of ruthlessness and murder, he was the most vicious of them all. Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel first made his mark as a hitman on the gang-run streets of Brooklyn. But his fame was secured in the sunshine of the West Coast, where his unique gangster-playboy persona made him a Hollywood legend. Journey to the heyday of the mob for the complete story of this legendary gangster, from his stormy relationship with the beautiful Virginia Hill to his mysterious murder. See rare footage shows of the dapper mobster and exclusive interviews with acquaintances and enemies. Examine Siegel's greatest legacy the founding of Las Vegas in the barren Nevada desert and hear mob insiders reveal the details of his betrayal at the hands of his best friend. Take an up-close look at the mobster who lived his life at full-throttle the hitman Bugsy Siegel.
5. Dalai Lama: The Soul of Tibet
One of the world's most admired men, he is the spiritual and secular leader of a nation that exists only in exile. Born Tenzin Gyatso, he is the fourteenth man recognized by his people as Buddha's reincarnation and honored with the title he is known by worldwide - the Dalai Lama. Since 1959, when he fled his nation after a failed rebellion against the occupying Chinese, he has lived in exile. Follow the Dalai Lama from his childhood in the "Lost Kingdom" to today. Interviews with Chinese scholars, Tibet activists including actor Richard Gere and His Holiness himself detail the long struggle to free Tibet. See footage of the defining moments of his life including accepting the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize.
6. King Arthur: His Life and Legends
He built his fabled kingdom in the name of honor, loyalty and chivalry. But he was undone by the betrayal of those he loved most. King Arthur was the gallant king who fought to save England, the noble leader who inspired the Knights of the Round Table, and the ruler of Camelot. But his most fascinating persona was his most human one—the vulnerable lover who was ultimately undone by his devotion to Guinevere. Through stunning recreations and abundant images from centuries past, Biography examines the social, political and emotional factors that have made Arthur’s story so dear to Western culture. Join Biography for a wondrous look at the adventure, the romance and the bravery that have fueled imaginations for over a thousand years—the stirring legend of King Arthur!
7. Lucky Luciano: Chairman of the Mob
He wrote his name in blood on the sidewalks of New York and made himself the Boss of all Bosses. Arriving in America at the age of nine and embarking upon a life of crime at age 14, Charles "Lucky" Luciano rose through the ranks of the New York Mafia like a pistol shot. By the age of 34, he was running the Sicilian mob like a U.S. corporation diversifying the rackets, organizing the gangs and running his own political candidates. Examine Lucky's 30-year career as CEO of Murder, Inc. through rare interviews and extensive archival footage. Mob insiders recall the history-making meetings held in Luciano's Waldorf-Astoria headquarters. And naval records reveal how his top-secret war efforts earned him parole from a 50-year sentence. Journey into the dangerous world of La Cosa Nostra for the definitive portrait of one of the most notorious criminals in history.
8. Nelson Mandela: Journey to Freedom
Nelson Mandela is one of the great moral and political leaders of our time: an international hero whose lifelong dedication to the fight against racial oppression in South Africa won him the Nobel Peace Prize and the presidency of his country. Since his triumphant release in 1990 from more than a quarter century of imprisonment, Mandela has been at the center of the most inspiring political drama in the world.
9. Muhammad: The Prophet
He was a humble merchant who received revelations from the angel Gabriel. But the religion he founded is now viewed by many as an enemy of the Western world. One of the most influential figures in human history, Muhammad is a figure of inspiration and enlightenment to billions of people the world over. Yet countless others see the religion he created as a source of evil and instability. Go far beyond the headlines and into the sands of history with this thoughtful, probing portrait. Travel the lands where he is said to have walked, and hear from renowned scholars and spiritualists who illuminate the man at the heart one of the world's great faiths.
10. Napoleon Bonaparte: The Glory of France
He took France to its greatest period of influence in history. But his ego and thirst for ever more power led to one of the greatest downfalls ever. Napoleon Bonaparte stands as one of the greatest military commanders to ever live. As a ruler he brought France to unprecedented heights of glory only to see it unravel as a result of his arrogance. Examine the life and legend of the Corsican commander's greatest military victories in detail. Trace his rise to power and tragic decline, and explore the monumental legacy that continues to influence the world to this day.
11. Bonnie & Clyde: The Story of Love & Death
She was a lonely waitress longing for excitement and romance. He was a volatile ex-con who vowed he would never go back to prison. Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow found each other in the slums of Dallas and for two years they led a notorious gang on a murderous crime spree covering five states. In the depths of the Great Depression, their exploits became famous nationwide. Here, newsreel footage, period accounts, and interviews with biographers bring the story of the notorious outlaws to life. John Neal Phillips, author of Running with Bonnie and Clyde, traces their journey across the Southwest that left a dozen people dead, mostly law enforcement officers. Relive the dramatic ambush that finally put an end to the gangsters and see an exclusive interview with Marie Barrow, Clyde's sister. Across the dusty roads of the depression-era Southwest, Bonnie and Clyde shot their way into American folklore.
12. Babe Ruth
He is perhaps the greatest sports hero in American history. George Herman “Babe” Ruth, Jr., was more than just a ballplayer—he was a beloved public figure whose popularity at one time seemed to transcend that of baseball itself. Profane and earthy, “The Babe” had a warmth of spirit about him that both electrified and inspired the nation. In his lifetime, he set several Major League records—the most notable of which took place in 1927 when he hit a record-breaking 60 home runs in a single season. From his early childhood in Baltimore to the infamous 1919 sale by the Boston Red Sox to his glory years with the New York Yankees, Biography takes an in-depth look at the immortal slugger who swatted his way into the hearts of baseball fans forever.
13. Frederick Douglass
As a young man, he experienced the brutality of slavery firsthand. As an outspoken leader of the abolitionist movement, he became one of the most powerful voices in American history. Frederick Douglass inadvertently found his calling while giving an impromptu speech at an anti-slavery meeting in 1841. As a formerly enslaved man, he quickly became not only a persuasive speaker, but also a poignant symbol of freedom. His insightful and eloquent lectures and tireless efforts to educate the public about the realities of slavery significantly furthered the abolitionist cause. This inspiring BIOGRPAHY program chronicles Douglass's remarkable life, from his childhood in slavery to his crucial work on behalf of formerly enslaved people following the Civil War. Rare photographs and extensive interviews with leading historians offer a revealing portrait of this extraordinary man.
14. Lizzie Borden: A Woman Accused
Her sensational case captured the attention of the press worldwide. Though she proclaimed her innocence until her dying day, she was destined forever to be associated with murder. When Lizzie Borden's father and stepmother were found brutally murdered in their Fall River, Massachusetts home, it marked the beginning of one of the most famous and sensational murder cases in history. Lizzie, a thoroughly respectable spinster, was tried for the crime. Though she was acquitted, she lived the rest of her life a pariah. BIOGRAPHY examines all the evidence in search of the truth, including period accounts, police reports and crime-scene photos. Discover how the crime and trial were sensationalized in the press worldwide and meet Borden experts who offer insight into Lizzie's life and reveal what they think really happened on that fateful day.
15. Milton Hershey: The Chocolate King
Milton Hershey was born in a Pennsylvania farmhouse and completed only the fourth grade before he was put to work as a printer's apprentice. But by the age of 18, Milton had discovered his unique calling: He would manufacture delicious, affordable confections. With a combination of ingenuity and persistence, he built his Hershey Chocolate Company into a bustling enterprise for himself and his workers an empire with a bank, department store, park, churches, golf courses, a zoo, even a trolley system. Join Biography for the inspiring life story of the man who dared to offer his employees dignity and prosperity, and made himself wildly rich in the process.
