American Masters
Since its premiere in 1986, American Masters has been the only PBS series committed to developing and producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.
CLIPS (471)
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Anna May Wong: The first Asian American Movie StarAnna May Wong, the first Asian American woman movie star, had a long and varied ...Anna May Wong, the first Asian American woman movie star, had a long and varied career spanning silent and sound film, stage, radio, and television, while resisting racism and typecasting in ... -
Ynés Mexía: Mexican-American Botanist and AdventurerAn early participant in the environmental movement, U.S.-born Mexican American ...An early participant in the environmental movement, U.S.-born Mexican American Ynés Mexía began her scientific career at age 51, leading botanical expeditions across Mexico, Central America, and ... -
Lillian Gilbreth: Pioneering InventorLillian Moller Gilbreth is the first woman elected to the National Academy of ...Lillian Moller Gilbreth is the first woman elected to the National Academy of Engineering and the first female engineering professor at Purdue University. She worked to invent time and motion studies ... -
Maggie Lena Walker: Civil Rights Activist and EntrepreneurA full 50 years before the Montgomery bus boycott, civil rights activist and ...A full 50 years before the Montgomery bus boycott, civil rights activist and entrepreneur Maggie Lena Walker led a city-wide boycott against segregated streetcars in Richmond, VA, and founded a ... -
Grace Abbott: Social Work PioneerGrace Abbott (1878-1939), an architect of social work and an activist in the ...Grace Abbott (1878-1939), an architect of social work and an activist in the immigrant rights movement, was the highest ranking woman in government from 1921 to 1934 as chief of the Department of ... -
Aviator Bessie ColemanThe daughter of sharecropper in rural Texas, Bessie Coleman grew up picking ...The daughter of sharecropper in rural Texas, Bessie Coleman grew up picking cotton and eventually became the first African American woman aviator. Coleman became a media sensation with her daredevil ... -
Clip | Miles Davis Loved Playing this Prince Album on RepeatMiles Davis' son Erin talks about the Prince album that his father played over ...Miles Davis' son Erin talks about the Prince album that his father played over and over while on a road trip in his Rolls-Royce in California. -
Clip | How Miles Davis Recorded "Gems of Spontaneity"Miles Davis recorded tune after tune in order to fulfill his contractual ...Miles Davis recorded tune after tune in order to fulfill his contractual obligation to Prestige Records. In the process, he recorded "gems" of jazz spontaneity. -
Clip | How Miles Davis Recorded "Kind of Blue"Miles Davis didn't provide sheet music for his musicians during the recording of ...Miles Davis didn't provide sheet music for his musicians during the recording of his iconic album "Kind of Blue." He said that "I didn't write out the music for 'Kind of Blue.' But brought in sketches ... -
In Memoriam: Actress Zoe CaldwellFour-time Tony Award-winner Zoe Caldwell (“Slapstick Tragedy,” “Medea,” ...Four-time Tony Award-winner Zoe Caldwell (“Slapstick Tragedy,” “Medea,” “Master Class”) died this week at 86. In her memory, we present this video clip of her discussing the rigid class ... -
How N. Scott Momaday Connected with his Kiowa AncestryIn this clip from American Masters — N. Scott Momaday: Words From a Bear, the ...In this clip from American Masters — N. Scott Momaday: Words From a Bear, the writer discusses how riding his horse on the same plains as his ancestors opened up his imagination. -
S33 E12: Indigenous Groups at the Forefront of Climate ActionN. Scott Momaday, Jeff Bridges, and Robert Redford discuss the historic role ...N. Scott Momaday, Jeff Bridges, and Robert Redford discuss the historic role Indigenous groups have played in fighting to protect our planet -
S33 E12: The First Native American to Win the PulitzerWhen N. Scott Momaday won the Pulitzer Prize for his book "House Made of Dawn," ...When N. Scott Momaday won the Pulitzer Prize for his book "House Made of Dawn," it was a victory for the entire Native American community. Hear Jeff Bridges, Joy Harjo, Robert Redford and James Earl ... -
S33 E11: Mark Rothko and Adolph Gottlieb on Creating Abstract ArtWhen a New York Times art critic reviewed Mark Rothko and Adolph Gottlieb's ...When a New York Times art critic reviewed Mark Rothko and Adolph Gottlieb's work, the artists responded with a letter that became a manifesto on abstract art. In it, they stressed being in favor of ... -
S33 E11: How Abstract Expressionism Changed American ArtIn post World War II New York City, a new group of artists including Mark ...In post World War II New York City, a new group of artists including Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Lee Krasner, Joan Mitchell, & Clyfford Still started a movement known as Abstract ... -
S33 E11: Why Mark Rothko Came to AmericaBorn Marcus Rothkowitz in Dvinsk, Russia, on September 25, 1903, Rothko ...Born Marcus Rothkowitz in Dvinsk, Russia, on September 25, 1903, Rothko emigrated to Portland, Oregon, with his family at age 10. Learn more in this clip from American Masters —Rothko: Pictures Must ... -
Remembering Diahann CarrollRemembering Diahann CarrollRemembering Diahann Carroll -
S33 E10: How Raúl Juliá got his sister into Studio 54Raúl Juliá's younger sister Maria recalls the story of going to the exclusive ...Raúl Juliá's younger sister Maria recalls the story of going to the exclusive New York City club Studio 54 with her famous older brother. -
S33 E10: How Raúl Juliá Influenced Esai MoralesEsai Morales looks back at the legacy of his friend and co-star Raúl Juliá, ...Esai Morales looks back at the legacy of his friend and co-star Raúl Juliá, and discusses what made him acting and the energy he had as a performer. -
S33 E10: Edward James Olmos on Raúl JuliáIn an outtake from Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage, Edward James Olmos ...In an outtake from Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage, Edward James Olmos recalls watching his friend Raúl Juliá spontaneously perform Shakespeare on tabletops in bars. -
S33 E10: Ben DeJesus Sheds Light on Latino StoriesDirector of Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage Ben DeJesus discusses the ...Director of Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage Ben DeJesus discusses the importance of Raúl Juliá's story and his cultural impact as a performer and activist.
