David Bowie
David Robert Jones (8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016), known professionally as David Bowie, was an English singer, songwriter and actor. He was a figure in popular music for over five decades, regarded by critics and musicians as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s. His career was marked by reinvention and visual presentation, his music and stagecraft significantly influencing popular music. During his lifetime, his record sales, estimated at 140 million worldwide, made him one of the world's best-selling music artists. In the UK, he was awarded nine platinum album certifications, eleven gold and eight silver, releasing eleven number-one albums. In the US, he received five platinum and seven gold certifications. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Born and raised in South London, Bowie developed an interest in music as a child, eventually studying art, music and design before embarking on a professional career as a musician in 1963. "Space Oddity" became his first top-five entry on the UK Singles Chart after its release in July 1969. After a period of experimentation, he re-emerged in 1972 during the glam rock era with his flamboyant and androgynous alter ego Ziggy Stardust. The character was spearheaded by the success of his single "Starman" and album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, which won him widespread popularity. In 1975, Bowie's style shifted radically towards a sound he characterised as "plastic soul", initially alienating many of his UK devotees but garnering him his first major US crossover success with the number-one single "Fame" and the album Young Americans. In 1976, Bowie starred in the cult film The Man Who Fell to Earth and released Station to Station. The following year, he further confounded musical expectations with the electronic-inflected album Low (1977), the first of three collaborations with Brian Eno that would come to be known as the "Berlin Trilogy". "Heroes" (1977) and Lodger (1979) followed; each album reached the UK top five and received lasting critical praise. After uneven commercial success in the late 1970s, Bowie had UK number ones with the 1980 single "Ashes to Ashes", its parent album Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps), and "Under Pressure", a 1981 collaboration with Queen. He then reached his commercial peak in 1983 with Let's Dance, with its title track topping both UK and US charts. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Bowie continued to experiment with musical styles, including industrial and jungle. Bowie also continued acting; his roles included Major Celliers in Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), the Goblin King Jareth in Labyrinth (1986), Pontius Pilate in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), and Nikola Tesla in The Prestige (2006), among other film and television appearances and cameos. He stopped concert touring after 2004 and his last live performance was at a charity event in 2006. In 2013, Bowie returned from a decade-long recording hiatus with the release of The Next Day. He remained musically active until he died of liver cancer two days after the release of his final album, Blackstar (2016).
Known For
Credits
- 2025 · Twiggy as (archival footage)
- 2024 · Eno as Self (archive footage)
- 2024 · Jim Henson Idea Man as Jareth (archive footage)
- 2024 · My Way as Self (archive footage)
- 2024 · Hits That Missed at the BBC as Self (archive footage)
- 2024 · Devo as Self (archive footage)
- 2023 · Dear Bowie as David Bowie
- 2023 · Angelheaded Hipster: The Songs of Marc Bolan & T. Rex as Self (archive footage)
- 2023 · WHAM! as Self (archive footage)
- 2023 · The Lost Weekend: A Love Story as Self (archive footage)
- 2023 · LOLA as Self - Singer (archive footage)
- 2023 · Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TV as Self (archive footage)
- 2022 · Il était une fois Champs-Élysées as Self (archive footage)
- 2022 · Moonage Daydream as Self (archive footage)
- 2022 · Freddie Mercury: The Final Act as Self
- 2022 · Mickey: The Story of a Mouse as Self (archive footage)
- 2021 · 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony as Self
- 2021 · The Velvet Underground as Self (voice)
- 2021 · Moby Doc as Self
- 2021 · The Dancing Man of L.A. as Self (archive footage)
- 2021 · 1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything as Self (archive footage)
- 2021 · This Is Pop as Self (archive footage)
- 2020 · Zappa as Self (archive footage)
- 2020 · 70 Years of Youth Revolt as Self (archive footage)
- 2020 · Françoise Hardy : tant de belles choses as
- 2020 · Lindsay Dances - Theatre and life according to Lindsay Kemp as Self
- 2019 · My Music: A Classic Christmas as Self (archive footage)
- 2019 · The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story as Self (archive footage)
- 2019 · WBCN and the American Revolution as Self
- 2019 · David Bowie: Finding Fame as Self (archive footage)
- 2018 · David Bowie: Glastonbury 2000 as Self
- 2018 · Why Are We Creative?: The Centipede's Dilemma as Self
- 2018 · Freddie Mercury: The King of Queen as Singer
- 2017 · Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda as Jack Celliers (archive footage)
- 2017 · Shot! The Psycho-Spiritual Mantra of Rock as Self - Musician (archive footage)
- 2017 · Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story as Self - Narrator (voice)
- 2017 · Julian Schnabel: A Private Portrait as Self (archive footage)
- 2017 · David Bowie: The Last Five Years as Self (archive footage)
- 2016 · Bowie: The Man Who Changed the World as Self (archive footage)
- 2016 · Burden as Self (archive footage)
- 2016 · Night Flight: Born Again as Self
- 2015 · David Bowie: On the Rock Trail as Self (archive footage)
- 2015 · B-Movie: Lust & Sound in West-Berlin 1979-1989 as Self
- 2014 · Bing Crosby: Rediscovered as Self (archive footage)
- 2014 · Soul Boys of the Western World as Self (archive footage)
- 2014 · Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces as Phillip Jeffries
- 2013 · David Bowie: Five Years as Self (archive footage)
- 2013 · The Frame as John Blaylock
- 2013 · The Stars (Are Out Tonight) as
- 2012 · Vanilla Ice Archive as Self (archive footage)
- 2012 · Clockwork Orange County as Self
- 2012 · David Bowie & The Story of Ziggy Stardust as Self / Ziggy Stardust (archive footage)
- 2011 · The Love We Make as Self
- 2011 · Acoustic at the BBC as Self
- 2010 · Bing Crosby: The Television Specials Volume 2 – The Christmas Specials as Self
- 2010 · David Bowie: Rare and Unseen as Self
- 2009 · Bandslam as David Bowie
- 2008 · Kings of Glam as Self (archive footage)
- 2008 · August as Cyrus Ogilvie
- 2007 · SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis as Lord Royal Highness
- 2007 · David Gilmour - Breaking Bread, Drinking Wine as Self
- 2007 · David Gilmour - Remember That Night as Self - Guest Artist
- 2007 · David Bowie - The Plastic Soul Review as Self - Singer, Songwriter
- 2007 · Seven Ages of Rock as Self
- 2007 · Scott Walker: 30 Century Man as Self
- 2006 · Arthur and the Invisibles as Maltazard (voice)
- 2006 · The Prestige as Tesla
- 2006 · The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: Million Sellers as Self
- 2005 · The Work of Director Mark Romanek as Self (archive footage)
- 2005 · TV Party as Self
- 2005 · Extras as David Bowie
- 2005 · Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today as Self
- 2005 · Live Aid Against All Odds as Self
- 2004 · Live Aid as Self
- 2004 · The Nomi Song as Self (archive footage)
- 2004 · Bowie: A Reality Tour as Self
- 2004 · Rockthology 2 as
- 2004 · Superstar in a Housedress: The Life and Legend of Jackie Curtis as Self (archive footage)
- 2003 · David Bowie - Sound and Vision as Self
- 2003 · Queen: Greatest Video Hits 2 as Self
- 2003 · Late Night with Conan O'Brien: 10th Anniversary Special as Self
- 2003 · The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch as Self - Interviewee
- 2003 · Mayor of the Sunset Strip as Self
- 2002 · Supergroups as Self
- 2002 · Hollywood Rocks the Movies: The 1970s as Self - Narrator (voice)
- 2002 · David Bowie: Live at Montreux as Self
- 2002 · David Bowie: Best of Bowie as Self (archive footage)
- 2002 · Queen - The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert 10th Anniversary Documentary as Self
- 2002 · David Bowie - Live at Hammersmith Studios in London as Self
- 2001 · Classic Albums: Lou Reed - Transformer as Self
- 2001 · Friday Night with Jonathan Ross as Self - Guest
- 2001 · The Concert for New York City as Self
- 2001 · Zoolander as David Bowie
- 2000 · Mr. Rice's Secret as Mr. William Rice
- 2000 · The Filth and the Fury as Self (archive footage)
- 2000 · The Ten Commandments of Creativity as Self
- 1999 · Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special as Self
- 1999 · Where Are They Now? as Self
- 1999 · Everybody Loves Sunshine as Bernie
- 1998 · Gunslinger's Revenge as Jack Sikora
- 1998 · Lou Reed: Rock and Roll Heart as Self
- 1998 · Parkinson as Self
- 1998 · Goldie: When Saturn Returns as Self
- 1998 · A Bing Crosby Christmas as Self (archive footage)
- 1997 · Nine Inch Nails: Closure as Self (uncredited)
- 1997 · The Hunger as The Host
- 1997 · David Bowie Birthday Celebration Live in NYC as Self
- 1996 · The Fine Art of Separating People from Their Money as Self
- 1996 · Basquiat as Andy Warhol
- 1996 · David Bowie: Rockpalast as Self
- 1995 · Die Harald Schmidt Show as Self
- 1995 · Nine Inch Nails & David Bowie: Dissonance as Self
- 1995 · The History of Rock 'n' Roll as Self
- 1994 · The World of Jim Henson as Jareth (archive footage)
- 1994 · Exclusiv - Das Star-Magazin as self
- 1993 · Late Night with Conan O'Brien as Self - Musical Guest
- 1993 · Full Stretch as David Bowie
- 1992 · Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me as Special Agent Phillip Jeffries
- 1992 · ECHO-Verleihung as Self
- 1992 · The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert as Self
- 1991 · Queen: Greatest Flix II as Self (archive footage)
- 1991 · The Linguini Incident as Monte
- 1990 · Dream On as Sir Roland Moorecock
- 1990 · Twin Peaks as Phillip Jeffries
- 1990 · Twin Peaks as Phillip Jeffries (archive footage)
- 1990 · David Bowie: Live At The Tokyo Dome as Self
- 1988 · Imagine: John Lennon as Self
- 1988 · The Last Temptation of Christ as Pontius Pilatus
- 1988 · David Bowie: Glass Spider as Self
- 1986 · Inside the Labyrinth as Self
- 1986 · Labyrinth as Jareth
- 1986 · Absolute Beginners as Vendice Partners
- 1986 · Bugs Bunny/Looney Tunes All-Star 50th Anniversary as Self
- 1985 · Live Aid as Self
- 1985 · David Bowie at Live Aid as
- 1985 · Tina Turner: Private Dancer Tour as Self
- 1985 · Tokyo Melody: A Film About Ryuichi Sakamoto as Celliers (archive footage)
- 1985 · Into the Night as Colin Morris
- 1985 · Video AID as Self
- 1984 · MTV Video Music Awards as Self
- 1984 · David Bowie: Jazzin' for Blue Jean as Vic / Screaming Lord Byron
- 1984 · David Bowie: The Serious Moonlight Tour as Self
- 1983 · Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars as Self / Ziggy Stardust
- 1983 · Yellowbeard as The Shark (uncredited)
- 1983 · Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence as Celliers
- 1983 · The Hunger as John Blaylock
- 1982 · Baal as Baal
- 1982 · Champs-Elysées as Self
- 1981 · Christiane F. as David Bowie
- 1981 · Wetten, dass..? as Self
- 1980 · The Sensational Shocking Wonderful Wacky 70's as Self
- 1978 · David Bowie On Stage: Live in Japan as Self
- 1978 · Just a Gigolo as Paul Ambrosius von Przygodski
- 1977 · Auf los geht's los as Self
- 1976 · The Man Who Fell to Earth as Thomas Jerome Newton
- 1975 · Saturday Night Live as Self - Musical Guest
- 1975 · Cher as Self
- 1975 · Cracked Actor as Self
- 1975 · Système 2 as Self
- 1975 · Les Rendez-vous du dimanche as Self
- 1972 · Musikladen as Self
- 1972 · Musikladen as
- 1969 · The Virgin Soldiers as Soldier
- 1969 · Unsere kleine Show as Self
- 1969 · The Image as The Boy
- 1968 · The Dick Cavett Show as Self - Guest
- 1966 · 4-3-2-1 Hot and Sweet as Self
- 1963 · Ready Steady Go! as Self
- 1962 · The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson as Self
- Future · Discovering Music as Self (archive footage)
- 2024 · TIME as HIMSELF
- 2021 · David Bowie: Out of this World as Self
- 2021 · David Bowie: London Boy as Self
- 2020 · The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2020 Inductions as Self (archive footage)
- 2018 · Glastonbury 2000 as Self - Vocals
- 2017 · Der Reichstag as Self (archive footage)
- 2017 · Glam Rock at the BBC as Self (archive footage)
- 2017 · Bowie at the BBC as Self (archive footage)
- 2016 · Gaga for Dada: The Original Art Rebels as Self
- 2016 · David Bowie: The Man Who Stole the World as Self (archive footage)
- 2016 · Das Prinzip Dada as Self
- 2016 · David Bowie I Love You (Since I Was Six) as Self
- 2016 · David Bowie: Sound and Vision as Self
- 2016 · David Bowie: Starman as Self
- 2015 · Let's Dance: Bowie Down Under as Self
- 2015 · Wilde Jahre West-Berlin as Self
- 2013 · David Bowie Is Happening Now as Self (archive footage)
- 2012 · David Bowie - The Calm Before The Storm: Under Review 1969 - 1971 as Self - Singer, songwriter
- 2012 · David Bowie at the BBC as self (performer)
- 2012 · The Genius of David Bowie as Self - Performer (archive footage)
- 2010 · The Sacred Triangle: Bowie, Iggy & Lou 1971-1973 as Self (archive footage)
- 2009 · Krautrock: The Rebirth of Germany as Self (archive footage)
- 2009 · David Bowie: VH1 Storytellers as Self
- 2007 · David bowie - Up Close and Personal as Self - Singer, Songwriter
- 2007 · David Bowie - Music in Review as Self - Singer, Songwriter
- 2006 · David Bowie - Total Rock Review as Self
- 2006 · David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust as Self - Singer, Songwriter
- 2006 · Best of Bowie as
- 2006 · David Bowie: Under Review 1976-79 as Self
- 2005 · Inside the Music as Self
- 2004 · Pixies: Gouge as Self
- 2002 · Hr. Vinterberg & Mr. Bowie as Self
- 2002 · David Bowie: Live Olympia Paris as Self
- 2002 · David Bowie: Live by Request as Self
- 2002 · David Bowie - Heathen as
- 2000 · Bowie at the BBC as Self
- 2000 · David Bowie: Live BBC Radio Theatre as Self
- 2000 · David Bowie: Roseland Ballroom, NYC as Self
- 1999 · David Bowie - Live at The Elysee Montmartre Paris as Self
- 1998 · In Stillness and in Silence (Sacred) as Self
- 1997 · David Bowie: Earthling On TV as Self
- 1997 · David Bowie - Live from the 10th spot as Self
- 1997 · David Bowie & Friends: A Very Special Birthday Celebration as Self
- 1997 · David Bowie: An Earthling at 50 as Self - Interviewee
- 1993 · David Bowie: Black Tie White Noise as Self
- 1989 · Tin Machine - Live at Paradiso as
- 1984 · Ricochet as Self
- 1983 · David Bowie: Serious Moonlight Sydney as
- 1983 · Cool Cats: 25 Years of Rock 'n' Roll Style as Self (archive footage)
- 1973 · The 1980 Floor Show as
- Future · Are We Not Men? as Self (archive footage)
- 1995 · The Making of the 'Outside' Album as Self
- 1984 · David Bowie: Serious Moonlight as Self - Lead Vocals / Guitar
- 1983 · The Oshima Gang as Self
- 1983 · David Bowie: Serious Moonlight Montreal as Self
- 1983 · Group Madness as Self
- 1978 · Young Music Show as
- 1978 · David Bowie: Live at Beat Club Musikladen as Self - Keyboard, Vocals
- 1978 · David Bowie On Stage as
- 1977 · Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas as Self
- 1976 · Fame as Himself (voice)
- 1975 · Night Lunch as Self
- 1974 · Diamond Dogs Demo Video as Self / Harpie
- Future · Personne ne bouge! as Self
- 1972 · David Bowie - The Rise of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars as
- 1970 · The Looking Glass Murders as Cloud
- 1969 · David Bowie: Love You Till Tuesday as Self
- 1967 · NBC television special: The Pursuit of Pleasure as Self