← Biography

Season 7

78 episodes · 1998

  1. 1

    David Berkowitz: Son of Sam

    Mar 23, 199860 min

    For over a year, he held a city hostage to fear. When he was finally caught, the nation was shocked to discover that the "face of terror" was a cherubic postal worker who smiled sweetly for the camera. David Berkowitz claimed the lives of six people in a killing spree that resulted in the largest manhunt in the history of New York. Once apprehended, he confessed to all the crimes and asked the judge to put him away forever so he would not kill again. In this comprehensive portrait, reporters and detectives who worked on the case, the parents of victims, a prosecutor and a former FBI profiler relive the case that galvanized a nation. Psychologists explore the many frustrations and disappointments that led Berkowitz to kill, and in a gripping interview, Berkowitz himself talks about his crimes and jailhouse transformation into the "Son of Hope." Today, he ministers to other prisoners and born-again Christians all over the world in hopes of restoring some meaning to his shattered life.

  2. 2

    Mao Tse Tung: China's Peasant Emperor

    Mar 30, 199860 min

    For 25 years Mao Zedong ruled one quarter of the world's population. This is the extraordinary story of a farmer's son who became a God in his life time but in private never shook off his peasant roots; a man who presided over one of the most radical experiments in social reform ever seen in human history but who will be remembered as one of the bloodiest dictators of the twentieth century. This program--told through the accounts of those who have met and studied him, loved and loathed him--includes archive film and pictures going back to the very earliest days of Mao's life, as well as unique film of China at the turn of the century and during key episodes in Mao's communist revolution. It includes harrowing and eye-witness accounts of such momentous events as the cultural revolution, the Great Leap Forward and the most severe man-made famine ever recorded.

  3. 3

    Amelia Earhart: Queen of the Air

    Apr 6, 199860 min

  4. 4

    Angela Lansbury: A Balancing Act

    Apr 13, 199860 min

  5. 5

    Anne Frank: The Life of a Young Girl

    Apr 20, 199860 min★ 7.0

  6. 6

    Beethoven: The Sound and the Fury

    Apr 27, 199860 min★ 6.4

  7. 7

    Colonel Sanders: America's Chicken King

    May 4, 199860 min★ 8.0

  8. 8

    Dwight D. Eisenhower: Commander-in-Chief

    May 11, 199860 min

  9. 9

    Ernest Hemingway: Wrestling With Life

    May 18, 199860 min★ 7.3

  10. 10

    Evel Knievel: Hell on Wheels

    May 25, 199860 min★ 8.0

  11. 11

    Howard Carter: Triumph and Treasure

    Jun 1, 199860 min★ 5.1

  12. 12

    Jackie Kennedy Onassis: In a Class of Her Own

    Jun 8, 199860 min★ 6.4

  13. 13

    Jim Jones: Journey into Madness

    Jun 15, 199860 min★ 3.1

  14. 14

    John Wayne: American Legend

    Jun 22, 199860 min★ 6.8

  15. 15

    P.T. Barnum: The Greatest Showman on Earth

    Jun 29, 199860 min★ 6.0

  16. 16

    Ray Kroc: Fast Food McMillionaire

    Jul 6, 199860 min

  17. 17

    Satan: Prince of Darkness

    Jul 13, 199860 min★ 4.8

    He was the favorite angel who dared disobey God. Cast out from Heaven, he became mankind's tormentor, vowing to destroy the creation of his former master. Satan, Lucifer, the Devil: by any name, he is the symbol of evil, the bringer of darkness who lurks just around the corner—ready to plunge deep into our souls. From the Biblical tale of the fall to stories of those who believe they have crossed his path, Biography takes a chilling journey through the "life" of Satan. Scholars examine the way Satan has been portrayed throughout the centuries, forever embodying the greatest fears of mankind. And in art from classic paintings and ancient etchings to modern movies, see the many faces that we have applied to this timeless tormentor, and explore what these images tell us of him and ourselves. Join Biography for the terrifying tale of the evil creature that has hunted humans since the beginning of time.

  18. 18

    Vincent Van Gogh: A Stroke of Genius

    Jul 20, 199860 min★ 5.7

  19. 19

    Charles Lindbergh: Against the Wind

    Jan 7, 199960 min★ 5.5

  20. 20

    Fred Gwynne: More than a Munster

    Jan 18, 199960 min★ 7.0

  21. 21

    John Wayne Gacy: A Monster in Disguise

    Jan 25, 199960 min

  22. 22

    Nicolae Ceausescu: The Unrepentant Tyrant

    Feb 1, 199960 min

  23. 23

    The Tiffanys: Mark of Excellence

    Feb 8, 199960 min★ 7.8

  24. 24

    Mickey Rooney: Hollywood's Little Giant

    ★ 6.3

  25. 25

    Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective

    46 min★ 7.9

  26. 26

    Jack the Ripper: Phantom of Death

    50 min★ 6.6

  27. 27

    Howdy Doody and Buffalo Bob Smith

    ★ 6.9

  28. 28

    Genghis Khan: Terror and Conquest

    60 min★ 5.7

  29. 29

    Patton: A Genius for War

    60 min★ 6.4

  30. 30

    The Red Baron: Master of the Air

    47 min★ 5.9

  31. 31

    Mozart

    ★ 8.3

  32. 32

    Pocahontas: Her True Story

    47 min★ 7.0

  33. 33

    Daniel Boone

    46 min★ 5.6

  34. 35

    Crazy Horse: The Last Warrior

    46 min★ 7.5

  35. 36

    King George III: Mad or Maligned?

    ★ 7.1

  36. 37

    Paul Revere: The Midnight Rider

    44 min★ 5.4

  37. 38

    Benedict Arnold: Triumph and Treason

    45 min★ 6.7

  38. 39

    To John with Love: A Tribute to John Candy

    60 min★ 7.6

  39. 40

    Tokyo Rose: Victim of Propaganda

    44 min★ 5.1

  40. 43

    Malcolm X: A Search for Identity

    50 min★ 7.9

  41. 44

    Dean Martin: Everybody Loves Somebody

    Sep 4, 199560 min★ 8.3

    Throughout his legendary partnership with Jerry Lewis and years of solo stardom, his laid‑back charm made everything look easy. Dean Martin was one of America’s greatest celebrities for more than 50 years. Discovered by Jerry Lewis in Atlantic City, the young singer joined the madcap comedian to create one of the most famous entertainment teams ever. When their tumultuous ten‑year partnership ended, Martin went on to a string of solo successes as an actor and singer. Biography presents the definitive Dean Martin story—including movies with the Rat Pack and knocking the Beatles from the top slots in the charts—drawing on rare clips and photos and candid interviews with family, friends, and co‑stars. From his early days as a card shark and prizefighter to his zenith as the highest‑paid entertainer in the world, Dean Martin profiles a truly unforgettable man.

  42. 45

    Liberace: Mr. Showmanship

    60 min★ 8.3

  43. 46

    Charles Manson: Journey Into Evil

    50 min★ 6.1

  44. 48

    King Arthur: His Life and Legends

    ★ 7.2

  45. 49

    Robin Hood: Outlaw of the Forest

    ★ 6.9

  46. 50

    Hercules: Power of the Gods

    ★ 5.8

  47. 51

    Patrick Henry: Voice of Liberty

    46 min★ 5.5

  48. 52

    Susan B. Anthony: Rebel for the Cause

    46 min★ 8.3

  49. 53

    Andrew Jackson: A Man for the People

    44 min★ 5.7

  50. 54

    Brigham Young: Architect of Faith

    ★ 5.1

  51. 55

    Christopher Columbus: Explorer of the New World

    60 min★ 5.2

  52. 56

    Leif Ericsson: Voyages of a Viking

    ★ 6.7

  53. 57

    Marco Polo: Journey to the East

    50 min★ 6.6

  54. 58

    Ponce de Leon: The First Conquistador

    44 min★ 5.6

  55. 59

    George Custer: Showdown at Little Big Horn

    ★ 1.7

  56. 60

    Sitting Bull: Chief of the Lakota Nation

    45 min★ 7.5

  57. 61

    Wild Bill Hickok: Gentleman of the Old West

    46 min★ 5.5

  58. 62

    The James Gang: Outlaw Brothers

    46 min★ 4.7

  59. 63

    Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

    Oct 20, 199546 min★ 7.7

    Their incredible exploits earned them a place in American legend. Their true fate remains one of the great mysteries of the Old West. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were a different breed of outlaw. In the waning days of the Old West, they blazed a trail of shoot-outs and hold-ups that earned them widespread notoriety. But while other outlaws bragged of their accomplishments and staked their claim as the meanest, toughest and fastest, Butch only claimed that he was the smartest, funniest and most popular! And the Sundance Kid was famed mostly as a ladies' man. Their incredible story comes to life here through period accounts, rare photos and interviews with experts. Relive their exploits and fabled escape from justice that still has historians confounded today. Biography traces the remarkable career and legendary flight of the Old West's most intriguing outlaws.

  60. 64

    Boris Karloff: The Gentle Monster

    55 min★ 8.4

  61. 65

    Lon Chaney: Son of a Thousand Faces

    50 min★ 5.8

  62. 66

    Bela Lugosi: Hollywood's Dark Prince

    55 min★ 8.3

  63. 67

    Nostradamus: Prophet of Doom

    Nov 6, 199547 min★ 7.1

    The episode examines the mysterious life and enduring legacy of Nostradamus, the 16th‑century French physician and astrologer whose cryptic prophecies have fascinated—and frightened—generations. It traces his rise from plague doctor and scholar to author of Les Prophéties, the collection of verses that many believe foretold wars, revolutions, and natural disasters. The program explores the historical context of his writings, the symbolism behind his predictions, and the centuries‑long debate over their accuracy. Through expert analysis, dramatizations, and archival imagery, Biography separates fact from legend, revealing a man driven by curiosity, intellect, and a deep sense of destiny. Nostradamus emerges as both visionary and enigma—a figure whose haunting words continue to echo through history’s most turbulent moments.

  64. 68

    H.G. Wells: Time Traveller

    46 min★ 6.6

  65. 69

    Paul Newman: Hollywood's Charming Rebel

    60 min★ 8.4

  66. 70

    Roger Moore: A Matter of Class

    50 min★ 7.3

  67. 71

    James Bond: The Secret Life of 007

    60 min★ 6.8

  68. 73

    John Wilkes Booth: Assassin in the Spotlight

    50 min★ 2.6

  69. 74

    The Gettys: A Tragedy of Riches

    100 min★ 4.0

  70. 75

    Andrew Carnegie: Prince of Steel

    48 min★ 6.8

  71. 77

    Al Capone: Scarface

    ★ 5.9

  72. 79

    Edgar Bergen: His Many Voices

    ★ 7.9

  73. 81

    Charles Dickens: A Tale of Ambition and Genius

    44 min★ 8.0

  74. 82

    Charles Schulz: A Charlie Brown Life

    60 min★ 7.7

  75. 83

    Stan Lee: ComiX-Man!

    44 min★ 7.1

  76. 85

    Bugsy Siegel: Gambling on the Mob

    ★ 3.6

  77. 86

    Sigmund Freud: Analysis of a Mind

    ★ 5.9

  78. 87

    Hirohito

    ★ 2.8