This month alone two biopics on Black musicians are coming to the big screen: NINA, starring Zoe Saldana, and ‘Miles Ahead, starring Don Cheadle as the legendary Miles Davis. Here’s a look at celebrities whose lives have been turned into biopics.
Yaya DaCosta starred as the iconic singer Whitney Houston in the Angela Bassett-directed Lifetime biopic, Whitney.
Jamie Foxx’s performance as rhythm and blues singer Ray Charles in the biopic Ray was so stellar that Foxx won an Oscar for Best Actor.
We got a closer look at Tina Turner’s career and her tumultuous marriage to Ike Turner in What’s Love Got To Do With It. Angela Bassett played Tina Turner in the film, while Laurence Fishburne played Ike.
In 2014, Chadwick Boseman played James Brown in the film Get on Up, which took us through Brown’s journey from poverty to musical stardom.
The Temptations were one of Motown’s most successful music groups, and the quintet’s road to fame was brought to life in the self-titled TV film.
Despite critical reviews, Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B was produced by Lifetime to honor the late singer who was adored by her fans.
Will Smith brought the story of heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali to the big screen in the hit movie, Ali.
Spike Lee directed the 1992 film, Malcolm X, to honor the life of the Black activist. Denzel Washington played the role of the Malcolm X.
Halle Berry won a Golden Globe for portraying the actress/singer in the 1999 TV film Introducing Dorothy Dandridge. Dandridge was the first Black actress to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress
Why Do Falls In Love followed the life and tragic death of doo-wop singer Frankie Lymon along with his love affairs. Larenz Tate starred as Lymon along with Halle Berry, Vivica A. Fox and Lela Rochon as his lovers.
The critically acclaimed Selma was directed by Ava DuVernay and starred David Oyelowo as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It tells the historic story of King’s struggle to get voting rights for African Americans, and his critical role in the Civil Rights Movement.
Queen Latifah starred as blues singer Bessie Smith in the HBO film, Bessie, which chronicles the singer’s rise to the top. The film also won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie along with three other Emmys.
R&B girl group TLC ruled the ’90s and their VH1 biopic, CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, gave fans a closer look into their musical journey. The film covers the group from fame to bankruptcy to fame again, and the unfortunate death of group member, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes.
Nina covers the life of singer and civil rights activist Nina Simone (played by Zoe Saldana),.
Miles Ahead, a biographical film directed by and starring Don Cheadle as jazz musician Miles Davis.
