American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez premieres Oct. 6!
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American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez
The case for Luis Valdez as a documentary filmmaking icon
American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez
Luis Valdez's play commented on identity and assimilation
Luis Valdez's play, "Los Vendidos," or the sellouts, was a commentary on assimilation and identity.
American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez
Luis Valdez biography and career timeline
American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez
Discover filmmaker and playwright Luis Valdez, a founding figure of the Chicano Movement.
Coming soon: WILDER — Watch the trailer now!
Wilder – About the Documentary
Follow the journey of actor Gene Wilder, known for his performances in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and Young Frankenstein, from his collaborative relationship with Mel Brooks to his rise as a Hollywood leading man and comedic visionary. Featuring never-before-seen interviews with Wilder, archival clips, and an intimate look into Wilder’s legacy from his nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman.
Check out our new season of In The Making
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Stankface Standing Soldier: The Rise of Mato Wayuhi
Watch as Oglala Lakota musician Mato Wayuhi draws on ancestral knowledge to inform his process.
Warren King: King of Cardboard
Follow Warren King as he transforms cardboard into intricate sculptures.
Aliah Irvine & Kehau Kapua’a: Kukulu
Follow Aliah and Kehau as they take on the male-dominated practice of building Hawaiian hale.
Cindy Tran: From Here to Here
Poet Cindy Tran found her voice on Yelp and writes about family, identity and belonging.
Lani B. Supreme: Legacy
Trumpeter Lani B. Supreme carries forward a musical legacy that transcends generations.
Hannah Mayree: Songs of Reclamation
Musician Hannah Mayree organizes workshops and performances celebrating the banjo's Black history.
Alsarah: The Sonic Historian
Follow Sudanese musician and ethnomusicologist Alsarah as she leads Alsarah and the Nubatones.
Ani Liu: Eye Heart Womb
Artist Ani Liu creates provocative artifacts at the intersection of art, science and technology.
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Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World
Mary Oliver is a transcendentalist for the masses
Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World
How Provincetown became a haven for LGBTQ+ Americans
Warren King: King of Cardboard
5 artists reimagining family history through their creative work
W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With a Cause
Eight ways W.E.B. Du Bois used art as activism
Sun Ra: Do The Impossible
Why Sun Ra Was the Godfather of Afrofuturism
Starring Dick Van Dyke
How “Mary Poppins” sparked the legendary partnership between Dick Van Dyke and Disney
Sarah Thankam Mathews: After All This
Longings that bind us: Recognition, art, democracy, and the search for home
Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore
How Marlee Matlin helped bring closed captioning to America
Marcella
How Marcella Hazan rewrote the story of Italian food in America
Norman Teague: Love Reigns Supreme
These artists remix stories about Black liberation across disciplines
Janis Ian: Breaking Silence
How Janis Ian defied the music industry’s ageism
Art Spiegelman: Disaster is My Muse
How Art Spiegelman and “Maus” embrace the pain of the past
LIZA: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story
Dive into the fashion legacy of Liza Minnelli
The Disappearance of Miss Scott
The power and pain of Hazel Scott’s story
Poet and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib writes about Hazel Scott’s forgotten legacy, revealing how “the...
Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train A Comin'
How Jimi Hendrix made “flower power” fashionable
R.L. Stine: “I never planned to be scary”
James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket
What do James Baldwin’s clothes tell us about him?
Watch new episodes of American Masters: Creative Spark now
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American Masters: Creative Spark
The Many Passions of Matteo Lane
Matteo Lane is a stand-up comedian, painter, singer, and now a Broadway performer. In this...
American Masters: Creative Spark
Taylor Rooks Talks NBA, Interview Techniques and Finding the Person Behind the Athlete
Taylor Rooks has built her career asking athletes the questions that reveal who they are...
American Masters: Creative Spark
Michael Sarnoski: What Robin Hood and Folklore Tell Us About Ourselves Today
Filmmaker Michael Sarnoski (“Pig” and “A Quiet Place: Day One”) takes on a revisionist version...
American Masters: Creative Spark
Tyler James Williams on 30 Years of Acting and Protecting the Next Generation
In this episode, Tyler James Williams gives a masterclass on his own acting technique: studying...
American Masters: Creative Spark
Why Atsuko Okatsuka’s Comedy Connects Across Cultures
Atsuko Okatsuka returns to the show! The comedian joins us to talk about how she...
American Masters: Creative Spark
Greg Kinnear on Acting, AI, and Why Movies Still Matter
Oscar-nominated actor Greg Kinnear has been a fixture of film and television for decades, bringing...
American Masters: Creative Spark
Chris Fleming Embraces the Chaos
Comedian Chris Fleming embraces the chaos in his new HBO comedy special, “Live at the...
American Masters: Creative Spark
How Leslie Jones Became a Comedian
Comedian and actress Leslie Jones has lived a lot of life and she wants you...
American Masters: Creative Spark
Phoebe Robinson Shows Her Work
Comedian Phoebe Robinson is a girl boss in recovery. As the creator and star of...
American Masters: Creative Spark
Sarah McLachlan: Making Music to Connect and Heal
Singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan says, “we need opportunities to feel connection and to feel less alone.”...
American Masters: Creative Spark
Daniel Dae Kim Leads Spy Drama and Fights for Industry Change
Actor Daniel Dae Kim is no stranger to breaking barriers. From his groundbreaking role on...
American Masters: Creative Spark
How Natasha Rothwell’s Life Brought Her to “The White Lotus”
Actress Natasha Rothwell returns as Belinda in The White Lotus Season 3, a role that’s...
American Masters: Creative Spark
Phil Rosenthal’s Secret Recipe: Good Food and a Laugh
Writer, producer and host Phil Rosenthal makes television for the whole family. First, he created...
American Masters: Creative Spark
Daveed Diggs Takes on Cyberpunk Rap
You might know rapper and actor Daveed Diggs from his performances in Broadway’s “Hamilton” or...
American Masters: Creative Spark
Tunde Adebimpe Channels His DIY Roots Into Raw Solo Debut
TV on the Radio co-founder Tunde Adebimpe is a force of positivity. In the face...
American Masters: Creative Spark
Lucy Dacus Makes Her First Love Songs
Check out the Season 8 premiere of the American Masters: Creative Spark podcast—now on video!
Accessible Episodes
These episodes of American Masters feature enhanced accessibility, including extended audio description, on-screen ASL interpretation and large open captions.
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Watch Season 3 of In The Making
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Maryam Taghavi: Estranged Letters
An Iranian-American artist’s work uses abstracted Persian calligraphy to signify migration.
Edel Rodriguez: Freedom is a Verb
Discover this portrait of the Cuban-American graphic artist and graphic novelist Edel Rodriguez.
House of Aama: Threads of Legacy
Explore the creative process and familial narrative behind acclaimed fashion label House of Aama.
Danielle Scott: Ancestral Call
Follow Danielle Scott as she makes art that explores the wretched pain and beauty of her ancestors.
Norman Teague: Love Reigns Supreme
Follow furniture maker and conceptual artist Norman Teague as he prepares for a solo exhibition.
Gioncarlo Valentine: Exposures
Photographer Gioncarlo Valentine documents intimacy as a radical act of self-exploration.
Sarah Thankam Mathews: After All This
Follow author Sarah Thankam Mathews as pressure mounts to follow up her acclaimed debut novel.
Camille A. Brown: Giant Steps
Follow the Broadway choreographer as she elevates the possible with bold explorations of movement.
American Masters Digital Archive
Explore unreleased interviews filmed for past American Masters documentaries: 1000+ records and counting from more than 40 episodes in the series’ history.
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Brooke Shields' early career with Bob Hope and performing for the troops
Brooke Shields on her work with Bob Hope and performing for the troops.
Olivia Wilde on making “Tron: Legacy” with Jeff Bridges
Olivia Wilde on working with Jeff Bridges on “Tron: Legacy.”
Mike Wallace reflects on the 60 Minutes tobacco story controversy
Mike Wallace discusses the groundbreaking “60 Minutes” story on tobacco.
John Goodman on "The Big Lebowski" and Jeff Bridges
Actor John Goodman talks about his work on the film, "The Big Lebowski."
Conan O’Brien gets serious about silliness
Conan O’Brien speaks about his style of late night and his reason for doing comedy.
How Phyllis Diller broke down the doors for female comics
Phyllis Diller reflects on how her comedy was a response to years of “take my wife” jokes.
Steve Martin on how David Geffen thrived through friendships
Steve Martin discusses how David Geffen found Hollywood success through his friendships.
Joan Rivers finds humor in being yourself
Joan Rivers speaks about her experience as a female comic in the early 60s.
Martin Scorsese on the films of John Ford
Martin Scorsese discusses how John Ford's films have impacted his career.
James Earl Jones on Sidney Poitier and acting
James Earl Jones talks Sidney Poitier's impact on himself and other young Black actors.
Isabella Rossellini compares her acting and modeling
Isabella Rossellini discusses her acting versus modeling career.
How Lily Tomlin found liberation in exploring her Laugh-In characters
Lily Tomlin speaks about her time on Laugh-In and how she developed her characters.
Betty White talks about funny women in comedy history
Betty White talks about funny women in comedy history like Carol Burnett and Lucille Ball.