American Masters, committed to producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.
Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship![The Disappearance of Miss Scott [Extended Audio Description + OC]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/hKKtbCS-asset-mezzanine-16x9-gckfO4h.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
The Disappearance of Miss Scott [Extended Audio Description + OC]
Learn about jazz artist Hazel Scott, the first Black American to have their own TV show. (1h 34m 14s)
![The Disappearance of Miss Scott [ASL]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/6qrhn8B-asset-mezzanine-16x9-XIOnDJv.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
The Disappearance of Miss Scott [ASL]
Video has Closed Captions
Learn about jazz artist Hazel Scott, the first Black American to have their own TV show. (1h 23m 30s)
Isabella Rossellini compares her acting and modeling
Video has Closed Captions
Isabella Rossellini discusses her acting versus modeling career. (28m 24s)
![Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [Extended Audio Description + OC]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/IypqXrg-asset-mezzanine-16x9-9fPGmXL.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [Extended Audio Description + OC]
Discover the life of singer Brenda Lee and her musical hits spanning genres and decades. (1h 13s)
![Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [ASL]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/mkKpiVV-asset-mezzanine-16x9-EQv83fK.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [ASL]
Video has Closed Captions
Discover the life of singer Brenda Lee and her musical hits spanning genres and decades. (52m 55s)
Quincy Jones explains how he got started in music
Video has Closed Captions
Quincy Jones discusses his early career, friendships and how he defines himself. (15m)
![Brad Lomax: Creating Communities of Care [Extended Audio Description + OC]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/KiysoJh-asset-mezzanine-16x9-cNrF4Xu.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
Brad Lomax: Creating Communities of Care [Extended Audio Description + OC]
Explore Brad Lomax’s under-reported contributions to the early disability justice movement. (13m 34s)
![Brad Lomax: Creating Communities of Care [ASL + OC]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/nSJIf2v-asset-mezzanine-16x9-wjXeA6t.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
Brad Lomax: Creating Communities of Care [ASL + OC]
Explore Brad Lomax’s under-reported contributions to the early disability justice movement. (10m 19s)
Brad Lomax: Creating Communities of Care
Video has Audio Description, Closed Captions
Explore Brad Lomax’s under-reported contributions to the early disability justice movement. (10m 19s)
![Thomas Wiggins: Composing the Future [Extended Audio Description + OC]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/iZZxL3j-asset-mezzanine-16x9-U9H4MPG.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
Thomas Wiggins: Composing the Future [Extended Audio Description + OC]
The story of a composer and pianist known as one of the greatest musicians of the 19th century. (16m 54s)
![Thomas Wiggins: Composing the Future [ASL + OC]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/XCRNFQw-asset-mezzanine-16x9-mfp4g2Q.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
Thomas Wiggins: Composing the Future [ASL + OC]
The story of a composer and pianist known as one of the greatest musicians of the 19th century. (13m 31s)
Thomas Wiggins: Composing the Future
Video has Audio Description, Closed Captions
The story of a composer and pianist known as one of the greatest musicians of the 19th century. (13m 31s)
![Celestine Tate Harrington: Building a Legacy [Extended Audio Description + OC]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/r1eL4L1-asset-mezzanine-16x9-PwElLv2.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
Celestine Tate Harrington: Building a Legacy [Extended Audio Description + OC]
The story of a disabled street musician who fought for parental rights. (15m 56s)
![Celestine Tate Harrington: Building a Legacy [ASL + OC]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/3567z13-asset-mezzanine-16x9-kURzvks.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
Celestine Tate Harrington: Building a Legacy [ASL + OC]
The story of a disabled street musician who fought for parental rights. (13m 3s)
Celestine Tate Harrington: Building a Legacy
Video has Audio Description, Closed Captions
The story of a disabled street musician who fought for parental rights. (13m 3s)
![Daniel K. Inouye: Life of Service [Extended Audio Description + OC]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/goXp8RE-asset-mezzanine-16x9-Dv2OT0l.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
Daniel K. Inouye: Life of Service [Extended Audio Description + OC]
Explore the story of the U.S. Senator for Hawai’i who championed the cause of justice and equality. (15m 31s)
![Daniel K. Inouye: Life of Service [ASL + OC]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/D7Zz6uw-asset-mezzanine-16x9-9Zv21Jt.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
Daniel K. Inouye: Life of Service [ASL + OC]
Explore the story of the U.S. Senator for Hawai'i who championed the cause of justice and equality. (12m 41s)
Daniel K. Inouye: Life of Service
Video has Audio Description, Closed Captions
Explore the story of the U.S. Senator for Hawai’i who championed the cause of justice and equality. (12m 41s)
![Judy-Lynn del Rey: The Galaxy Gal [Extended Audio Description + OC]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/AgRN5xu-asset-mezzanine-16x9-nBmTuW9.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
Judy-Lynn del Rey: The Galaxy Gal [Extended Audio Description + OC]
Explore the story of a woman with dwarfism who revolutionized the world of science fiction writing. (15m 35s)
![Judy-Lynn del Rey: The Galaxy Gal [ASL + OC]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/4tEiXvS-asset-mezzanine-16x9-zNMSFjl.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
Judy-Lynn del Rey: The Galaxy Gal [ASL + OC]
Explore the story of a woman with dwarfism who revolutionized the world of science fiction writing. (12m 36s)
Judy-Lynn del Rey: The Galaxy Gal
Video has Audio Description, Closed Captions
Explore the story of a woman with dwarfism who revolutionized the world of science fiction writing. (12m 36s)
![Julia Alvarez: A Life Reimagined [EAD + OC]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/uYCZ7Mr-asset-mezzanine-16x9-TEnwu0T.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
Julia Alvarez: A Life Reimagined [EAD + OC]
Explore the story of writer Julia Alvarez, who blazed a trail for a generation of Latino authors. (1h 29m 2s)
![Julia Alvarez: A Life Reimagined [ASL]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/wF9WFtj-asset-mezzanine-16x9-fHPkTho.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
Julia Alvarez: A Life Reimagined [ASL]
Video has Closed Captions
Explore the story of writer Julia Alvarez, who blazed a trail for a generation of Latino authors. (1h 23m 57s)
![Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames [EAD + OC]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/NlTclfa-asset-mezzanine-16x9-HVDEZWl.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames [EAD + OC]
Explore the story of filmmaker Blake Edwards, known for his comedies like the "Pink Panther" series. (1h 30m)
![Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames [ASL]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/MxeZYOT-asset-mezzanine-16x9-FnZKtWd.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames [ASL]
Video has Closed Captions
Explore the story of filmmaker Blake Edwards, known for his comedies like the "Pink Panther" series. (1h 23m 35s)
Paul Mooney on his career and relationship with Richard Pryor
Video has Closed Captions
Paul Mooney reflects on the mechanics of stand-up and his role as Richard Pryor's best friend. (10m 39s)
How Phyllis Diller broke down the doors for female comics
Video has Closed Captions
Phyllis Diller reflects on how her comedy was a response to years of “take my wife” jokes. (11m 35s)
How Lily Tomlin found liberation in exploring her Laugh-In characters
Video has Closed Captions
Lily Tomlin speaks about her time on Laugh-In and how she developed her characters. (12m 35s)
Jeff Foxworthy on how every American might be a "redneck"
Video has Closed Captions
Jeff Foxworthy discusses regionalism in comedy and why "redneck" is a state of mind. (15m 41s)
Video has Closed Captions
Jamie Diaz is a trans woman and artist who has spent nearly 30 years in a men's prison in Texas. (19m 45s)
Joan Rivers finds humor in being yourself
Video has Closed Captions
Joan Rivers speaks about her experience as a female comic in the early 60s. (9m 59s)
Conan O’Brien gets serious about silliness
Video has Closed Captions
Conan O’Brien speaks about his style of late night and his reason for doing comedy. (15m 32s)
Video has Closed Captions
Discover the work of New York photographer Corky Lee in his own words. (16m 27s)
Jerry Seinfeld on his place in American sitcom history
Video has Closed Captions
Jerry Seinfeld discusses his collaboration with Larry David and the evolution of the sitcom. (16m 1s)
Video has Closed Captions
David Bacharach creates "The Mounds," a land art installation confronting climate change. (18m 39s)
![The Incomparable Mr. Buckley [Extended Audio Description]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/e50nwbU-asset-mezzanine-16x9-6KmD374.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
The Incomparable Mr. Buckley [Extended Audio Description]
Discover the intellectual evolution and political legacy of William F. Buckley, Jr. (1h 42m 8s)
![The Incomparable Mr. Buckley [ASL]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/qesIsot-asset-mezzanine-16x9-8C2ojJe.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
The Incomparable Mr. Buckley [ASL]
Video has Closed Captions
Discover the intellectual evolution and political legacy of William F. Buckley, Jr. (1h 40m 40s)
Susie Essman on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and the unique "genius” of Larry David
Video has Closed Captions
Comedian Susie Essman talks about the unique traits of "Curb Your Enthusiasm." (8m 45s)
![Moynihan [Extended Audio Description]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/bwI2lEk-asset-mezzanine-16x9-y2kfrJE.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
Moynihan [Extended Audio Description]
Discover the life and legacy of former U.S. Senator and diplomat Daniel Patrick Moynihan. (1h 44m 19s)
![Moynihan [ASL]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/1JKF3WH-asset-mezzanine-16x9-NTXHUxb.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
Video has Closed Captions
Discover the life and legacy of former U.S. Senator and diplomat Daniel Patrick Moynihan. (1h 43m 31s)
Video has Closed Captions
A Japanese American rapper discovers how art can champion cultural liberation. (14m 8s)
Video has Closed Captions
Discover Augusta Savage's legacy as a Harlem Renaissance sculptor and art activist. (21m 48s)
![HOPPER: An American love story [Extended Audio Description]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/qTk7UOQ-asset-mezzanine-16x9-3gcwPsK.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
HOPPER: An American love story [Extended Audio Description]
Discover the secrets behind Edward Hopper’s most iconic and enigmatic works. (1h 7m 42s)
![HOPPER: An American love story [ASL + Audio Description]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/hiMjV5n-asset-mezzanine-16x9-XXmYja4.jpg?format=webp&resize=316x177)
HOPPER: An American love story [ASL + Audio Description]
Video has Closed Captions
Discover the secrets behind Edward Hopper’s most iconic and enigmatic works. (53m 3s)
Louis Gossett, Jr. honors Maya Angelou's storytelling impact
Video has Closed Captions
Lou Gossett, Jr. discusses Dr. Maya Angelou’s role as a "matriarch." (19m 53s)
Jerry Lewis on comedy and his bond with Sammy Davis, Jr.
Video has Closed Captions
Jerry Lewis talks about becoming a comedian and his friendship with Sammy Davis, Jr. (9m 45s)
Neil Young on David Geffen’s success as a media mogul
Video has Closed Captions
Neil Young speaks about David Geffen’s role as a performer in the art of the deal. (15m 10s)
How Rita Moreno auditioned and rehearsed for West Side Story
Video has Closed Captions
Rita Moreno reflects on the 1961 production of "West Side Story." (20m 32s)
How Billy Crystal learned to imitate Sammy Davis, Jr.
Video has Closed Captions
Billy Crystal speaks on his admiration for and working relationship with Sammy Davis, Jr. (19m 23s)
John Singleton on having Maya Angelou as a mentor
Video has Closed Captions
John Singleton came to Maya Angelou for guidance while working on "Poetic Justice." (13m 33s)
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Accessible Episodes
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American Masters Shorts
Explore new documentary shorts about artists who defy the odds to create remarkable work.
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At Home with Jacques Pépin
In this digital series, chef Jacques Pépin brings us into his home to learn new dishes!
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In The Making | Season 2
Meet seven artists whose work explores and influences American culture today.
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Masters of Drag
NYC's sweetest drag diva Peppermint tells the story of pioneering American drag artists.
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Renegades
Explore the lives of diverse, lesser-known historical figures with disabilities.
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Unladylike2020
Stories of courageous and diverse female trailblazers from the turn of the 20th century.
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Archive Highlights
Watch curated interviews with cultural figures from The American Masters Digital Archive.
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Artists
A collection of American Masters films profiling great artists, architects, and more.
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Entertainers
A collection of films profiling some of American's greatest entertainers.
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Thought Leaders
"Thought Leaders" examines the lives and legacies of political changemakers.
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A front row seat to the creative process
How do today’s masters create their art? Each episode an artist reveals how they brought their creative work to life. Hear from artists across disciplines, like actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, singer-songwriter Jewel, author Min Jin Lee, and more on our podcast "American Masters: Creative Spark."
Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...