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 (523)
-
Elton John describes John Lennon's final performanceElton John speaks about a performance he gave with John Lennon at Madison Square ...Elton John speaks about a performance he gave with John Lennon at Madison Square Garden, which turned out to be Lennon's last. Elton John describes what he says is "the greatest ovation I've ever ... -
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist Nikole Hannah JonesShe created the 1619 Project on slavery for The New York Times Magazine and ...She created the 1619 Project on slavery for The New York Times Magazine and discusses how her work frequently explores the structural inequality created by racism in the U.S. “Journalism is one of ... -
The First Black Woman to Run for Vice President of The U.S.Charlotta Spears Bass (1874-1969) one of the first African American women to own ...Charlotta Spears Bass (1874-1969) one of the first African American women to own and operate a newspaper, and the first African American woman to run for Vice President of the United States, crusaded ... -
Zitkála-Šá: Trailblazing American Indian Composer and WriterZitkála-Šá co-composed and wrote the libretto for the first American Indian ...Zitkála-Šá co-composed and wrote the libretto for the first American Indian opera and co-founded the National Council of American Indians to lobby for increased political power for American ... -
Jeannette Rankin: The First Woman Member of U.S. CongressJeannette Rankin (1880-1973) made history as the first woman elected to the U.S. ...Jeannette Rankin (1880-1973) made history as the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress and the only member of Congress to vote against U.S. participation in World War I and World War II. A ... -
Jovita Idár: Mexican American Activist and JournalistJovita Idár (1885-1946) helped organize the first Mexican American civil rights ...Jovita Idár (1885-1946) helped organize the first Mexican American civil rights conference in 1911 to address racism, lynching, and dismal educational opportunities for Mexican American children. -
What Unladylike Means to MeModern day women from the series discuss what the term "unladylike" means to ...Modern day women from the series discuss what the term "unladylike" means to them. -
Martha Hughes Cannon: The First Woman State SenatorMartha Hughes Cannon (1857-1932) completed medical school, became the fourth of ...Martha Hughes Cannon (1857-1932) completed medical school, became the fourth of six wives in a polygamous Mormon marriage, and joined the women’s suffrage movement. In 1896, she was elected the ... -
American Masters has been nominated for an Emmy®!For over 30 years, American Masters has illuminated the stories of our cultural ...For over 30 years, American Masters has illuminated the stories of our cultural giants. We are honored to announce our Emmy® nomination in the category of “Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction ... -
She was a Civil Rights Activist and Co-Founder of the NAACPMary Church Terrell (1863-1954) became a national leader as founder of the ...Mary Church Terrell (1863-1954) became a national leader as founder of the National Association of Colored Women, coining its motto “Lifting As We Climb,” while also serving as a founding member ... -
She was a Daredevil Performer & Advocate for the BlindAfter answering an ad seeking a "young woman who can swim and dive; likes ...After answering an ad seeking a "young woman who can swim and dive; likes horses; desires to travel," Sonora Webster Carver became one of the most famous horse divers in the world. She continued ... -
An Interview with Activist Brittany Packnett CunninghamActivist Brittany Packnett Cunningham, a member of the Ferguson Uprising and ...Activist Brittany Packnett Cunningham, a member of the Ferguson Uprising and co-founder of Campaign Zero, discusses how issues of social justice are interconnected, and how those who benefit from ... -
The Making of Unladylike2020Director Charlotte Mangin discusses what went into making Unladylike2020.Director Charlotte Mangin discusses what went into making Unladylike2020. -
She was the First Woman to Swim Across the English ChannelGertrude Ederle (1905-2003) made history and rocketed to international stardom ...Gertrude Ederle (1905-2003) made history and rocketed to international stardom in 1926 when, at age 20, she became the first woman to swim the English Channel, then considered one of the toughest ... -
Queen Lili‘uokalani - The First and Last Queen of Hawai‘iQueen Lili‘uokalani (1838-1917) was the first sovereign queen, and the last ...Queen Lili‘uokalani (1838-1917) was the first sovereign queen, and the last monarch of Hawai‘i, who assumed the throne in the midst of a government takeover by American business owners supported ... -
Two Things That Gave Carl Reiner the Most Pleasure in LifeComic legend Carl Reiner describes the two things that gave him the most ...Comic legend Carl Reiner describes the two things that gave him the most pleasure in life. -
Sissieretta Jones was a Trailblazing Black Opera SingerSissieretta Jones became the first Black woman to headline a concert on the main ...Sissieretta Jones became the first Black woman to headline a concert on the main stage at Carnegie Hall in 1892. Jones was heralded as the greatest singer of her generation and a pioneer in the ... -
Why Fran Lebowitz Always Sought Advice From Toni MorrisonCultural critic Fran Lebowitz says there's a specific reason why she would ask ...Cultural critic Fran Lebowitz says there's a specific reason why she would ask her good friend Toni Morrison for advice. In these outtakes from "Toni Morrison: The Pieces I am," she also talks about ... -
Director Interview with Timothy Greenfield-Sanders"Toni Morrison is an extraordinary subject in front of the camera," says ..."Toni Morrison is an extraordinary subject in front of the camera," says director Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. In this interview, he talks about how he met Morrison and what it took to make this film. ... -
When Toni Morrison Won The Nobel PrizeIn this excerpt from "Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am," Toni Morrison tells the ...In this excerpt from "Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am," Toni Morrison tells the story of going to Stockholm to accept the Nobel Prize. "I like the Nobel Prize. Because they know how to give a party," ... -
Toni Morrison On Writing Without the "White Gaze"In this excerpt from Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, Toni Morrison talks about ...In this excerpt from Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, Toni Morrison talks about writing without the “white gaze.” She says, “I have spent my entire writing life trying to make sure that the white ...
