
American Masters
TV-141986•1h 30m•7.5/10
Documentary
Ratings
🎬TMDb
7.5/10(22)
American Masters is a PBS television series which produces biographies on enduring writers, musicians, visual and performing artists, dramatists, filmmakers, and others who have left an indelible impression on the cultural landscape of the United States.
Production
Eagle Rock Entertainment, Thirteen
Language
EN
Status
Returning Series
First Aired
June 23, 1986
Last Aired
February 14, 2026
Networks
PBS
Created By
Susan Lacy
Trailers & Videos
Where to Watch
Region US · Lang EN
US
No providers available for this region.
Seasons & Episodes
Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.
Season

E1
Private Conversations: On the Set of 'Death of a Salesman'
Air date: 1986-06-23
A behind-the-scenes look at the filming of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman for television.

E2
Philip Johnson, Self Portrait
Air date: 1986-06-30
One of America's best-known architects is profiled, with emphasis on his early career and his later movement away from minimalism.

E3
Katherine Anne Porter: The Eye of Memory
Air date: 1986-07-07
A biography of the well-known social critic and author Katherine Anne Porter.

E4
The Unknown Chaplin (1)
Air date: 1986-07-14
An in-depth treatment of the life and sensibilities of the innovative silent film superstar Charlie Chaplin.
E5
The Unknown Chaplin (2)
Air date: 1986-07-21
An in-depth treatment of the life and sensibilities of the innovative silent film superstar Charlie Chaplin.
E6
The Unknown Chaplin (3)
Air date: 1986-07-28
An in-depth treatment of the life and sensibilities of the innovative silent film superstar Charlie Chaplin.

E7
Billie Holiday: The Long Night of Lady Day
Air date: 1986-08-04
A biography of Billie Holiday, one of America's most unique and emotional jazz singers and the tragic end of her life at an early age.

E8
James Levine: A Life in Music
Air date: 1986-08-11
The musical career of the long-time conductor of New York City's Metropolitan Opera as reflected by following his normal working day on camera.

E9
Aaron Copland: A Self Portrait
Air date: 1986-08-18
One of America's signature classical composers and the unique elements he incorporated into his pieces.

E10
Thomas Eakins: A Motion Portrait
Air date: 1986-08-25
The strikingly realistic and unsentimental paintings of the noted artist from Philadelphia.

E11
Georgia O'Keeffe
Air date: 1986-09-01
A profile of the noted American artist originally produced to celebrate her 90th birthday.

E12
Eugene O'Neill: A Glory of Ghosts
Air date: 1986-09-08



















