American Masters

History Series / 14 Seasons

American Masters, committed to producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.

Watch Latest: S39 E1

1h 23m / TV-14

Liza Minnelli on dealing with the press at an early age

1m 40s

As the daughter of Judy Garland and director Vincente Minnelli, Liza Minnelli learned how to handle the press at a young age, which helped with the media attention that came after the successes of “Cabaret” and “Liza with a Z.”

Liza Minnelli created her own family

1m 52s

Liza Minnelli struggled with fertility issues throughout her life and wasn’t able to have children of her own. However, she surrounded herself with close friends and became a godmother to several of her friends’ children, creating her own chosen family.

What Liza Minnelli was like in her relationships

2m 53s

Friends described Liza Minnelli as going into her relationships with fervor and passion, even if they were only for a short period of time. “She throws herself into the relationship with the same passion that she throws herself into a song. But then just like in a song, you then go on to the next song.”

Liza Minnelli showcased her talents in “Liza with a Z”

3m 20s

Liza Minnelli made “Liza with a Z,” a concert film made for television, with producer Fred Ebb and choreographer Bob Fosse in 1972. The show highlighted both Liza’s personality and her performance capabilities. “What Fred Ebb did in collaboration with her is to take anything that was unpolished and awkward about Liza ... and either polish it or embrace the vulnerabilities.”

LIZA: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story

2m 14s

Take an intimate look into the life of Liza Minnelli, best known for her Oscar-winning role in Cabaret. Following in the footsteps of her mother Judy Garland, Minnelli used her boundless raw talent to build her own legacy in showbiz.

When Hazel Scott was accused of communist ties

4m 18s

When Hazel Scott's name appeared in "Red Channels," a book by former FBI agents accusing entertainers of affiliations with communism, she was determined to clear her name. Before the House Un-American Activities Committee, Scott wrote a 50-page statement declaring her innocence, but HUAC had already made up their minds about her.

The Disappearance of Miss Scott

3m 18s

Learn about jazz virtuoso and screen superstar Hazel Scott, the first Black American to have their own television show. An early civil rights pioneer, she faced down the Red Scare at the risk of losing her career and was a champion for equality. The film features interviews with Mickey Guyton, Tracie Thoms, Amanda Seales, and Sheryl Lee Ralph as the voice of Hazel Scott.

Hazel Scott went on strike in her most popular film role

4m 19s

Hazel Scott is most well-known for her role in the film "The Heat's On," where she plays two pianos at once. However, while shooting the movie, Scott refused to have the Black women in the film wear soiled aprons to see their husbands off to war and staged a strike until their costumes were changed. This act of defiance ultimately cost her her film career.

When Hazel Scott started jazzing the classics

2m 29s

At just 15 years old, Hazel Scott was playing as an intermission pianist at 52nd Street for headliner Frances Faye. Because the club didn't want her playing the same songs as Faye, she started "jazzing" or "swinging" the classics, or playing classic songs at an uptempo and with improvisation, displaying her mastery of the piano.

The Disappearance of Miss Scott [Extended Audio Description + OC]

4m 18s

Learn about jazz virtuoso and screen superstar Hazel Scott, the first Black American to have their own television show. An early civil rights pioneer, she faced down the Red Scare at the risk of losing her career and was a champion for equality. This version contains extended audio description and large open captions.

The Disappearance of Miss Scott [ASL]

3m 18s

Learn about jazz virtuoso and screen superstar Hazel Scott, the first Black American to have their own television show. An early civil rights pioneer, she faced down the Red Scare at the risk of losing her career and was a champion for equality. This version contains on-screen ASL interpretation.

American Masters 2025 sneak peek

32s

American Masters illuminates the lives and creative journeys of those who have left an indelible impression on our cultural landscape—through compelling, unvarnished stories. Watch a sneak peek from this season, featuring artists like Liza Minnelli, Hazel Scott, Art Spiegelman, Hannah Arendt, Marcella Hazan, Marlee Matlin

Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [ASL Trailer]

2m 56s

Discover the story behind singer Brenda Lee’s iconic songs and explore how her early fame and life of poverty shaped her artistry across pop, rock ‘n’ roll and country. Known for her Christmas classic and Billboard hit “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” she is still a force in music today. The film features interviews with Keith Urban, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo and many others.

Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [EAD + OC Trailer]

3m 31s

Discover the story behind singer Brenda Lee’s iconic songs and explore how her early fame and life of poverty shaped her artistry across pop, rock ‘n’ roll and country. Known for her Christmas classic and Billboard hit “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” she is still a force in music today. The film features interviews with Keith Urban, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo and many others.

When Brenda Lee eloped with her husband

2m 34s

Brenda Lee met her husband Ronnie Shacklett at the age of 17 while watching Jackie Wilson at the Nashville Fairgrounds Coliseum. She kept their engagement to herself for three months before telling anyone in her family. They eloped six months after meeting and have been married since 1963.

Brenda Lee had a fully formed career before even signing a contract

2m 29s

Brenda Lee made appearances on television, radio and live shows all before she even signed a record deal. Her performances on "Ozark Jubilee" starring Red Foley at just 10 years old caught the eyes of executives at Decca Records, with whom she would eventually sign.

How Brenda Lee's collaboration with producer Owen Bradley changed the course of her career

2m 20s

Owen Bradley, producer at Decca Records, took Brenda Lee under his wing and became both a musical mentor and a life mentor to her. "Owen credited Brenda with really showing that pop music could be done in Nashville," said music historian Alan Stoker.

Brenda Lee's career started when she was just 8 years old

2m 35s

Brenda Lee began working as a professional singer at just eight years old to support her family. She made waves throughout her career in a variety of genres including pop, country and rock. "I loved to sing, and I didn't care if anybody listened," said Brenda. "I would sing all day long if they had let me. I loved it. Still do."

Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around

2m 56s

Discover the story behind singer Brenda Lee’s iconic songs and explore how her early fame and life of poverty shaped her artistry across pop, rock ‘n’ roll and country. Known for her Christmas classic and Billboard hit “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” she is still a force in music today. The film features interviews with Keith Urban, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo and many others.

The success of Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”

1m 28s

Brenda Lee recorded “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” written by Johnny Marx, when she was 12 years old. The song received a boost thanks to its inclusion in the classic holiday movie "Home Alone." Brenda became the oldest woman to reach #1 on the Top 100 Billboard Charts when “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” charted in 2023.

Supported by