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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...
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NewTyler James Williams on 30 Years of Acting and Protecting the Next Generation
Video has Closed Captions
Special | 35m 23s | Actor Tyler James Williams talks about his acting process and what drives his work. (35m 23s)
NewOlivia Wilde on making “Tron: Legacy” with Jeff Bridges
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Special | 13m 57s | Olivia Wilde on working with Jeff Bridges on “Tron: Legacy.” (13m 57s)
Why Atsuko Okatsuka’s Comedy Connects Across Cultures
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Special | 30m | Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka returns to the show to talk about her creative process. (30m)
Stankface Standing Soldier: The Rise of Mato Wayuhi
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Special | 16m 11s | Watch as Oglala Lakota musician Mato Wayuhi draws on ancestral knowledge to inform his process. (16m 11s)
![W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With a Cause [EAD]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/wlR7CC8-asset-mezzanine-16x9-n2l5zow.jpg?format=avif&resize=316x177)
W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With a Cause [EAD]
Special | 1h 59m 2s | This version contains EAD. Explore the life of notable Black scholar W.E.B. Du Bois. (1h 59m 2s)
![W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With a Cause [ASL]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/Scn6g2i-asset-mezzanine-16x9-F4FdeMx.jpg?format=avif&resize=316x177)
W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With a Cause [ASL]
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Special | 1h 52m 45s | This version contains ASL interpretation. Explore the life of notable Black scholar W.E.B. Du Bois. (1h 52m 45s)
Warren King: King of Cardboard
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Special | 15m 40s | Follow Warren King as he transforms cardboard into intricate sculptures. (15m 40s)
Greg Kinnear on Acting, AI, and Why Movies Still Matter
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Special | 27m 33s | Oscar-nominated actor Greg Kinnear shares some "big thoughts." (27m 33s)
Aliah Irvine & Kehau Kapua’a: Kukulu
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Special | 17m 19s | Follow Aliah and Kehau as they take on the male-dominated practice of building Hawaiian hale. (17m 19s)
Chris Fleming Embraces the Chaos
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Special | 39m 17s | Comedian Chris Fleming talks about the process behind his iconic manic stage persona. (39m 17s)
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Special | 16m 11s | Poet Cindy Tran found her voice on Yelp and writes about family, identity and belonging. (16m 11s)
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Special | 12m 38s | Trumpeter Lani B. Supreme carries forward a musical legacy that transcends generations. (12m 38s)
Hannah Mayree: Songs of Reclamation
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Special | 16m 20s | Musician Hannah Mayree organizes workshops and performances celebrating the banjo's Black history. (16m 20s)
John Goodman on "The Big Lebowski" and Jeff Bridges
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Special | 12m | Actor John Goodman talks about his work on the film, "The Big Lebowski." (12m)
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Special | 17m 36s | Follow Sudanese musician and ethnomusicologist Alsarah as she leads Alsarah and the Nubatones. (17m 36s)
![Bella! This Woman's Place Is in the House [EAD]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/OiHD6kZ-asset-mezzanine-16x9-wxUpEtw.jpg?format=avif&resize=316x177)
Bella! This Woman's Place Is in the House [EAD]
Special | 1h 45m 25s | Follow the rise of politician and activist Bella Abzug. This contains Extended Audio Description. (1h 45m 25s)
![Bella! This Woman's Place Is in the House [ASL]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/qdfUzLx-asset-mezzanine-16x9-y1098FK.jpg?format=avif&resize=316x177)
Bella! This Woman's Place Is in the House [ASL]
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Special | 1h 40m 13s | Follow the rise of politician and activist Bella Abzug. This contains on-screen ASL interpretation. (1h 40m 13s)
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Special | 16m 15s | Artist Ani Liu creates provocative artifacts at the intersection of art, science and technology. (16m 15s)
![Sun Ra: Do The Impossible [EAD]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/uJuXz3z-asset-mezzanine-16x9-CLc8OUB.jpg?format=avif&resize=316x177)
Sun Ra: Do The Impossible [EAD]
Special | 1h 30m 36s | Discover the extraordinary life of poet, philosopher and music visionary Sun Ra. (1h 30m 36s)
![Sun Ra: Do The Impossible [ASL]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/vxGuhLT-asset-mezzanine-16x9-JohHLHx.jpg?format=avif&resize=316x177)
Sun Ra: Do The Impossible [ASL]
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Special | 1h 23m 5s | Discover the extraordinary life of poet, philosopher and music visionary Sun Ra. ASL version. (1h 23m 5s)
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Special | 12m 29s | Middle school students in Newark grapple with Elie Wiesel's harrowing Holocaust memoir. (12m 29s)
![Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire [ASL]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/ayi4dNo-asset-mezzanine-16x9-8wMduoK.jpg?format=avif&resize=316x177)
Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire [ASL]
Video has Closed Captions
Special | 1h 24m 5s | Learn about Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize-winning author of Night. (1h 24m 5s)
![Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire [EAD]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/xH3jsSh-asset-mezzanine-16x9-MHtPNPC.jpg?format=avif&resize=316x177)
Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire [EAD]
Special | 1h 28m 10s | Learn about Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize-winning author of Night. (1h 28m 10s)
![Maryam Taghavi: Estranged Letters [Extended Audio Description]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/3jL6xpX-asset-mezzanine-16x9-l9vuxbG.jpg?format=avif&resize=316x177)
Maryam Taghavi: Estranged Letters [Extended Audio Description]
Special | 17m | An Iranian-American artist’s work uses abstracted Persian calligraphy to signify migration. (17m)
How Leslie Jones Became a Comedian
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Special | 31m | Comedian and actress Leslie Jones does a deep dive on her creative process. (31m)
Maryam Taghavi: Estranged Letters
Video has Closed Captions
Special | 15m 4s | An Iranian-American artist’s work uses abstracted Persian calligraphy to signify migration. (15m 4s)
Phoebe Robinson Shows Her Work
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Special | 31m 45s | Comedian Phoebe Robinson takes on hustle-culture in biting comedy special. (31m 45s)
![Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore [EAD]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/WCBvLPt-asset-mezzanine-16x9-5afkz31.jpg?format=avif&resize=316x177)
Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore [EAD]
Special | 1h 54m 36s | Learn about Marlee Matlin, Oscar-winning actress and champion of the Deaf community. (1h 54m 36s)
![Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore [ASL]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/FLA0jdk-asset-mezzanine-16x9-SWbPoos.jpg?format=avif&resize=316x177)
Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore [ASL]
Video has Closed Captions
Special | 1h 36m 43s | Learn about Marlee Matlin, Oscar-winning actress and champion of the Deaf community. (1h 36m 43s)
Sarah McLachlan: Making Music to Connect and Heal
Video has Closed Captions
Special | 37m 19s | Singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan opens up in a candid interview about making music. (37m 19s)
Harvey Fierstein on gay representation on Broadway and its deep history
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Special | 13m 8s | Harvey Fierstein talks to director Michael Kantor backstage during the production of "Hairspray." (13m 8s)
How Natasha Rothwell’s Life Brought Her to “The White Lotus”
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Special | 33m 40s | Actress Natasha Rothwell on her creative process in "The White Lotus." (33m 40s)
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Special | 10m | Ringo Starr describes his friendship with Mae West. (10m)
Daniel Dae Kim Leads Spy Drama and Fights for Industry Change
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Special | 21m 48s | Actor Daniel Dae Kim on his groundbreaking career and new project, "Butterfly." (21m 48s)
![Edel Rodriguez: Freedom is a Verb [Extended Audio Description]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/ZOzPVIQ-asset-mezzanine-16x9-Y2ne5uN.jpg?format=avif&resize=316x177)
Edel Rodriguez: Freedom is a Verb [Extended Audio Description]
Video has Closed Captions
Special | 19m 25s | Discover this portrait of the Cuban-American graphic artist and graphic novelist Edel Rodriguez. (19m 25s)
![Edel Rodriguez: Freedom is a Verb [ASL]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/axGvLg5-asset-mezzanine-16x9-BQ5rgPV.jpg?format=avif&resize=316x177)
Edel Rodriguez: Freedom is a Verb [ASL]
Video has Closed Captions
Special | 17m 14s | Discover this portrait of the Cuban-American graphic artist and graphic novelist Edel Rodriguez. (17m 14s)
Edel Rodriguez: Freedom is a Verb
Video has Closed Captions
Special | 17m 14s | Discover this portrait of the Cuban-American graphic artist and graphic novelist Edel Rodriguez. (17m 14s)
Mel Brooks' wild ride to his first Broadway show ever
Video has Closed Captions
Special | 5m 44s | Mel Brooks talks about the first Broadway show he ever saw—Cole Porter's "Anything Goes." (5m 44s)
John Kander and Fred Ebb on “Cabaret,” creativity and collaboration
Video has Closed Captions
Special | 5m 56s | Composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb talk about how they have worked together. (5m 56s)
![House of Aama: Threads of Legacy [Extended Audio Description]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/xGXAcSf-asset-mezzanine-16x9-MfyNnWX.jpg?format=avif&resize=316x177)
House of Aama: Threads of Legacy [Extended Audio Description]
Special | 16m 45s | Explore the creative process and familial narrative behind acclaimed fashion label House of Aama. (16m 45s)
![House of Aama: Threads of Legacy [ASL]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/r5L2p0w-asset-mezzanine-16x9-34nrX20.jpg?format=avif&resize=316x177)
House of Aama: Threads of Legacy [ASL]
Video has Closed Captions
Special | 15m | Explore the creative process and familial narrative behind acclaimed fashion label House of Aama. (15m)
House of Aama: Threads of Legacy
Video has Closed Captions
Special | 15m | Explore the creative process and familial narrative behind acclaimed fashion label House of Aama. (15m)
![Marcella [Extended Audio Description]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/EM80WDy-asset-mezzanine-16x9-oqt7TVz.jpg?format=avif&resize=316x177)
Marcella [Extended Audio Description]
Special | 1h 29m 4s | Contains EAD. Discover how cookbook writer Marcella Hazan shaped Italian cuisine in America. (1h 29m 4s)
![Marcella [ASL]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/CfXIdiz-asset-mezzanine-16x9-EUPsp4p.jpg?format=avif&resize=316x177)
Video has Closed Captions
Special | 1h 22m 55s | Contains ASL. Discover how cookbook writer Marcella Hazan shaped Italian cuisine in America. (1h 22m 55s)
![Norman Teague: Love Reigns Supreme [Extended Audio Description]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/IJTviEH-asset-mezzanine-16x9-dyuPjkg.jpg?format=avif&resize=316x177)
Norman Teague: Love Reigns Supreme [Extended Audio Description]
Special | 16m 52s | Follow furniture maker and conceptual artist Norman Teague as he prepares for a solo exhibition. (16m 52s)
![Norman Teague: Love Reigns Supreme [ASL]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/WHXuR2M-asset-mezzanine-16x9-UV3Lr2C.jpg?format=avif&resize=316x177)
Norman Teague: Love Reigns Supreme [ASL]
Video has Closed Captions
Special | 16m 23s | Follow furniture maker and conceptual artist Norman Teague as he prepares for a solo exhibition. (16m 23s)
Norman Teague: Love Reigns Supreme
Video has Closed Captions
Special | 16m 23s | Follow furniture maker and conceptual artist Norman Teague as he prepares for a solo exhibition. (16m 23s)
![Hannah Arendt: Facing Tyranny [Extended Audio Description]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/HI5hLbR-asset-mezzanine-16x9-ydjN5Ng.jpg?format=avif&resize=316x177)
Hannah Arendt: Facing Tyranny [Extended Audio Description]
Special | 1h 35m 17s | Discover Hannah Arendt, one of the most fearless political writers of modern times. [EAD] (1h 35m 17s)
![Hannah Arendt: Facing Tyranny [ASL]](https://image.pbs.org/video-assets/vNpMzln-asset-mezzanine-16x9-QZx8f7c.jpg?format=avif&resize=316x177)
Hannah Arendt: Facing Tyranny [ASL]
Video has Closed Captions
Special | 1h 23m 45s | Discover Hannah Arendt, one of the most fearless political writers of modern times. [ASL] (1h 23m 45s)
Phil Rosenthal’s Secret Recipe: Good Food and a Laugh
Video has Closed Captions
Special | 22m 53s | TV writer and host Phil Rosenthal talks about finding our shared humanity in food and comedy. (22m 53s)
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Accessible Episodes
These episodes of American Masters feature enhanced accessibility.
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American Masters Shorts | Season 2
Explore new documentary shorts about artists who defy the odds to create remarkable work.
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Creative Spark
How do today’s masters create their art? Go in-depth with an iconic artist about their process.
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In The Making | Season 4
Meet emerging cultural icons on their journeys to becoming masters of their artistic disciplines.
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American Masters Shorts | Season 1
Explore new documentary shorts about artists who defy the odds to create remarkable work.
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Archive Highlights
Watch curated interviews with cultural figures from The American Masters Digital Archive.
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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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In The Making | Season 3
Meet eight cultural icons on their journeys to becoming masters of their artistic disciplines.
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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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Thought Leaders
"Thought Leaders" examines the lives and legacies of political changemakers.
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Unladylike2020
Stories of courageous and diverse female trailblazers from the turn of the 20th century.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipHow to Watch American Masters
American Masters is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
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Season 33 Overview
This season American Masters features an eclectic new line-up of documentaries. Here is an overview of the lives and creative journeys American Masters will be exploring:
American Masters: Decoding Watson Premieres Wednesday, January 2 at 10/9c
American Masters – Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me Premieres Tuesday, February 19 at 9/8c
American Masters – Holly Near: Singing for Our Lives Premieres Friday, March 1 at 9/8c
American Masters – Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People Premieres Friday, April 12 at 9/8c
American Masters – Garry Winogrand: All Things are Photographable Premieres Friday, April 19 at 9/8c
American Masters – Terrence McNally: Every Act of Life Premieres Friday, June 14 at 9/8c
American Masters: Robert Shaw – Man of Many Voices Premieres Friday, June 21 at 9/8c
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 PBS provided by:
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...