American Masters

History Series / 11 Seasons

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

1h 51m / TV-14

Neil Young on David Geffen’s success as a media mogul

15m 10s

On November 29, 2011, Neil Young spoke about David Geffen’s role as a performer in the art of the deal and how the media mogul found success in the behind-the-scenes action. Interview conducted by director Susan Lacy for "Inventing David Geffen" (2012).

How Rita Moreno auditioned and rehearsed for West Side Story

20m 32s

On December 12, 2006, Rita Moreno reflected on how Jerome Robbins’ toughness as a director and choreographer shaped the 1961 production of "West Side Story" and helped her sharpen her skillset. Interview conducted by director Judy Kinberg for "Jerome Robbins: Something to Dance About" (2009).

How Billy Crystal learned to imitate Sammy Davis, Jr.

19m 23s

On May 10, 2016, director Sam Pollard interviewed Billy Crystal about his admiration for and working relationship with Sammy Davis, Jr., who he would later impersonate on "Saturday Night Live." Interview conducted for "Sammy Davis Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me" (2019).

John Singleton on having Maya Angelou as a mentor

13m 33s

On April 23, 2014, director John Singleton reflected upon coming to Maya Angelou for guidance while working on his film "Poetic Justice," and how Angelou influenced him and Tupac on the set of the film and in the years after. Interview conducted for "Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise" (2017), directed by Rita Coburn and Bob Hercules.

Steve Martin on how David Geffen thrived through friendships

14m 41s

On September 25, 2009, Steve Martin sat down with director Susan Lacy for a conversation on how record industry mogul and studio executive David Geffen found Hollywood success through his friendships with industry folks like The Eagles, Elton John, Joni Mitchell and more. Interview conducted for "Inventing David Geffen" (2012).

Filmmaker Jonas Mekas on living in Andy Warhol's New York

22m 21s

On July 31, 1997, filmmaker Jonas Mekas described how the burgeoning art scene of New York City in the 1960s bore great artists, including Andy Warhol and Lou Reed of The Velvet Underground. Interview conducted by director Timothy Greenfield-Sanders for "Lou Reed: Rock And Roll Heart" (1998).

Protactile: A Language of Touch [Audio Description + ASL]

17m 42s

Join author and disability rights advocate Rebecca Alexander as she meets the founders and educators of Protactile, a language based solely on touch. Historically, DeafBlind people have been limited to using interpreters to communicate. With Protactile, one-on-one and group conversations are not only possible, but they also allow for deeper and more meaningful connection.

Protactile: A Language of Touch [Extended Audio Description]

21m 23s

Join author and disability rights advocate Rebecca Alexander as she meets the founders and educators of Protactile, a language based solely on touch. Historically, DeafBlind people have been limited to using interpreters to communicate. With Protactile, one-on-one and group conversations are not only possible, but they also allow for deeper and more meaningful connection.

Protactile: A Language of Touch

17m 42s

Join author and disability rights advocate Rebecca Alexander as she meets the founders and educators of Protactile, a language based solely on touch. Historically, DeafBlind people have been limited to using interpreters to communicate. With Protactile, one-on-one and group conversations are not only possible, but they also allow for deeper and more meaningful connection.

André Leon Talley on Mae West’s impact on fashion and style

15m 24s

On February 6, 2019, André Leon Talley sat down with directors Julia Marchesi and Sally Rosenthal to recount how Mae West used fashion and her sexuality to empower herself. Interview conducted for "Mae West: Dirty Blonde" (2020).

Fran Drescher on being a showrunner for the American sitcom

21m 12s

On November 18, 1999, Fran Drescher sat down with director Pamela Mason Wagner to discuss how she consulted Lucille Ball’s playbook for showrunner-stars in the American sitcom while creating "The Nanny." Interview conducted for "Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy."

James Earl Jones on Sidney Poitier and acting

16m 12s

On June 30, 1998, James Earl Jones sat down with actress and director Lee Grant to discuss Sidney Poitier's impact on himself and other young Black actors. Interview conducted for "Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light."

Lady Bunny on the echoes of Mae West in drag culture

12m 19s

On February 6, 2019, iconic drag performer and artist Lady Bunny chatted with directors Sally Rosenthal and Julia Marchesi about actress Mae West's onstage persona and how she cultivated a legion of queer fans. Interview conducted for "Mae West: Dirty Blonde" (2020).

Treat Williams on the acting process with Sidney Lumet

6m 24s

Actor Treat Williams describes working with director Sidney Lumet on “Prince of the City.” Williams and documentary filmmaker Nancy Buirski have a conversation about Lumet’s unique approach to working with actors and his eclectic range of projects. Williams shows his affection for Lumet’s embrace of theatrical performance and says, “sometimes you gotta be bigger than life.”

Keeping Video Art Alive With C.T. Lui

8m 24s

Electrical engineer and technician Chi-Tien Lui is one of the only living experts on cathode-ray tube (CRT) television technology, and he has been solely responsible for restoring most of Nam June Paik's video art over the years. As he nears retirement, Lui looks to pass his knowledge on to future generations.

Ethan Lim: Cambodian Futures

16m 42s

This is Culinary Futurism. Filmmaker Dustin Nakao-Haider follows Chicago-based chef Ethan Lim as he creates vibrant dishes inspired by the rich, complex history of Cambodia. Drawing on his family’s culinary legacy of over half a century, Lim’s award-winning cooking imagines how Cambodian cuisine might have evolved had the civil war not paused its growth.

Senghor Reid: Make Way For Tomorrow

13m 4s

Filmmakers Desmond Love and Eden Sabolboro illuminate the world of visual artist Senghor Reid, who draws inspiration for his paintings from current events and from his hometown of Detroit. Reid’s colorful and evocative paintings of human subjects in strange yet familiar environments inspire audiences with future visions of hope and possibility.

Walshy Fire: Pull Up

10m 25s

Filmmaker Alicia G. Edwards provides an intimate look into the life and work of Walshy Fire, a Grammy Award-nominated music producer and DJ. Discover why audiences pull up whenever and wherever Walshy Fire takes the stage, from his Caribbean-tinged childhood—when he first experienced the dancehall and reggae music scenes—to his current work as an electrifying producer and performer.

Alejandro Jimenez: The Ground I Stand On

12m

The Ground I Stand On is a lyrical and meditative documentary short that explores the work and creative process of Alejandro Jimenez, Mexico’s 2021 Slam Poetry champion. See how his life experience as a U.S. immigrant farm worker shapes his unique vision of the power of poetry and its connection to a collective past.

Jonathan Thunder: Good Mythology

14m 11s

Filmmaker Sergio Rapu follows Anishinaabe artist Jonathan Thunder as he dives deep into the inspirations behind his surrealist paintings and animations. From the killing of an iconic American hero to critical perspectives of how indigenous people were portrayed in early children’s cartoons, Thunder’s art prompts viewers to take a critical look at our shared mythologies.

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