Episode 1
Drew Barrymore: Beating the Odds
Born into a famous family of talented, but troubled actors, Drew Barrymore overcomes turmoil to become a Hollywood superstar.
Where to watch Biography
TV series
Biography
1987TV-PG27 seasons6.7 / 10
Biography is a documentary television series. It was originally a half-hour filmed series produced for CBS by David Wolper from 1961 to 1964 and hosted by Mike Wallace. The A&E Network later re-ran it and has produced new episodes since 1987. The older version featured historical figures such as Helen Keller and Mark Twain, or long-dead entertainment figures such as Will Rogers or John Barrymore. The A&E series has placed the emphasis on such people as Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Plácido Domingo, Freddie Mercury, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Eric Clapton, Pope John Paul II, Gene Tierney, Selena, Diego Rivera, Mao Zedong and Queen Elizabeth II, and fictional characters like The Phantom, Superman, Hamlet, Betty Boop, and Santa Claus. The program ended up profiling enough figures that in 1999, A&E spun it off into an entire network, The Biography Channel.
Availability
Not streaming in United States
Checked Sep 1, 2026
Biography premiered April 6, 1987. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
Synopsis
Biography is a documentary television series. It was originally a half-hour filmed series produced for CBS by David Wolper from 1961 to 1964 and hosted by Mike Wallace. The A&E Network later re-ran it and has produced new episodes since 1987. The older version featured historical figures such as Helen Keller and Mark Twain, or long-dead entertainment figures such as Will Rogers or John Barrymore. The A&E series has placed the emphasis on such people as Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Plácido Domingo, Freddie Mercury, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Eric Clapton, Pope John Paul II, Gene Tierney, Selena, Diego Rivera, Mao Zedong and Queen Elizabeth II, and fictional characters like The Phantom, Superman, Hamlet, Betty Boop, and Santa Claus. The program ended up profiling enough figures that in 1999, A&E spun it off into an entire network, The Biography Channel.
Season 11 episodes
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Episode 2
Fred Gwynne: More Than a Munster
Documentary about the life and career of Fred Gwynne.
Where to watch BiographyEpisode 3
Elizabeth Montgomery: A Touch of Magic
A look at actress Elizabeth Montgomery, best known for her starring role as Samantha on "Bewitched".
Where to watch BiographyEpisode 7
Andre the Giant
Documentary, released by the World Wrestling Federation, about the late wrestling superstar Andre the Giant, portraying his childhood in a small French village, his rise to fame as a professional wrestler, and his slow physical decline and eventual death in 1993. With commentaries by Vince McMahon, Classy Freddie Blassie, Killer Kowalski and Gorilla Monsoon, as well as Andre's brother and friends.
Where to watch BiographyEpisode 8
Ceausescu: The Unrepentant Tyrant
The life of the despotic Communist ruler who rose from the poor fields of rural Romania to the luxurious heights of political power. From loved and respected leader, he turned into a despised tyrant, and his execution in 1989 marked the bloody end to a bloody regime.
Where to watch Biography
Episode 10
Gene Tierney: A Shattered Portrait
44m
A made-for-TV biography with an overview of Tierney's career and personal life. The highlight is perhaps an interview with her former husband, Oleg Cassini, who calls Tierney "an extraordinary genetic marvel."
Episode credits
Directed by Steven C. SmithGuest stars Jeanine Basinger, Pat Byrne, Christina Cassini, Peter Graves, David Raksin, Gene Tierney, Richard Widmark, Oleg Cassini
Episode 13
Linda Darnell: Hollywood's Fallen Angel
Linda Darnell had the looks and talent to be a great Hollywood leading lady, but never quite delivered on her potential. This is the story of her rather sad life and tragically early death.
Where to watch BiographyEpisode 14
Mick Foley: Madman Unmasked
Get behind the mask of Mankind - all about Mick Foley, from his beginnings to his success in the WWF.
Where to watch BiographyEpisode 15
Marquis de Sade: The Depraved Aristocrat
This is a disturbing look at the infamous aristocrat whose name has become synonymous with sexual depravity.
Where to watch BiographyEpisode 16
Queen Noor: Between Two Realms
Chronicles the fairy-tale romance of Jordan's late King Hussein and all-American girl Lisa Halaby.
Where to watch BiographyEpisode 28
John Steinbeck: An American Author
Profile of the American writer John Steinbeck, author of "The Grapes of Wrath," "Of Mice and Men," "East of Eden" and "Cannery Row."
Where to watch BiographyEpisode 32
William Holden: An Untamed Spirit
Peter Graves narrates this account of the life and career of William Franklin Beedle, Jr., from his 1918 birth, in O'Fallon, Illinois, to his formative years in Monrovia and South Pasadena, California, where William enters Pasadena Playhouse to begin his acting career for which he would later become famous as screen star William Holden.
Where to watch BiographyEpisode information updated Sep 20, 2026
Available now in United States
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More about Biography
Cast
Peter Graves
Scarlett JohanssonSelf
Aileen WuornosSelf (archive footage)Dawn BotkinsSelf - Aileen's Childhood Friend
Arlene PralleSelf
Steve GlazerSelf - Defense Attorney
Tyria MooreSelf - Aileen's Girlfriend
Donna Jay FulksAileen Wuornos (voice)Credits
- Created by
- David L. Wolper, Agnes Nixon
- Written by
- Lucy Chase Williams, Daniel J. Golden, Peter Jones, Scott Lenz, Paul E. Gierucki, Andy Stevenson
Production details
- Status
- Returning Series
- Series type
- Scripted
- Episodes
- 355
- Original language
- English
Production
- Towers ProductionsUnited States
Departure FilmsUnited States- Atlas Media
- Actuality Productions
Foxstar ProductionsUnited States
Working Dog ProductionsUnited States
Themes
anthologybiographycelebrityhistorypolitician