Biography

Commentary creates in-depth portraits.
Mary Kay
S2006 E77

Mary Kay Ash achieves success in the world of cosmetics.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur: Return of a Legend
S2005 E61

MacArthur vows to return after his forces are crushed in the Philippines.

Laura Bush
S2004 E150

Interviews with the president, family members and friends highlight a portrait of first lady Laura Bush.

Salvador Dali
S2004 E179

Surrealist artist Salvador Dali puts himself into hallucinatory states.

Ringling Brothers
S2004 E317

The Ringling Brothers overtake Barnum & Bailey as the greatest circus producers in the world.

Chiang Kai-Shek
S2001 E18

Profiling the life and political career of Chiang Kai-shek, the former president of Nationalist China.

The Famous Wally Amos: The Cookie King
S2001 E97

Renowned for his chocolate chip cookies, Wally Amos led many lives; a look back at his years as the first Black talent agent at the William Morris Agency, the rise and fall of his cookie business and his difficult relationships with his family.

Dick Cheney: Quiet Authority
S2001 E203

Vice President Richard Cheney helps to lead the fight against terrorism.

Imelda Marcos: Steel Butterfly
S2001 E221

Supporters of former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos remember her efforts to improve social welfare and respect her ability to survive, while detractors claim she'll only be remembered for her shoes.

Mary Magdalene
S2000 E107

Scholars disagree over the identity of early Christian Mary Magdalene.

Slobodan Milosevic: Serbian Strongman
S1999 E27

Profile of Yugoslavian leader Slobodan Milosevic, whose refusal to sign a peace accord led to an assault by NATO forces on his regime.

John F. Kennedy Jr.: The Death of an American Prince
S1999 E39

Interviews present insight into the life, career and tragic death of John F. Kennedy Jr. and includes a profile of wife Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.

Queen Noor: Between Two Realms
S1999 E96

A profile of Queen Noor of Jordan, the former Lisa Halaby, includes interviews with actor Harrison Ford and King Hussein biographer Peter Snow.

Caligula: Reign of Madness
S1999 E107

Profile of Roman Emperor Caligula includes details of his reign, including frenzies of lunacy, murder and perverse sexuality.

Confucius: Words of Wisdom
S1998 E32

Experts discuss the life of Chinese teacher Confucius, whose philosophies influenced Eastern Asian civilization.

Napoleon Bonaparte: The Glory of France
S1998 E72

History judges Napoleon as warrior, statesman, genius and megalomaniac.

Angela Lansbury: A Balancing Act
S1998 E96

Oscar nominations for evil roles typecast Angela Lansbury early on.

Satan: Prince of Darkness
S1998 E101

Some believe Satan roams the Earth in a quest to destroy mankind.

The Gambinos: First Family of Crime
S1997 E2

The Gambino crime family comes to power when Carlo Gambino has Albert Anastasia shot; Paul Castellano; John Gotti.

Dow and Jones: Wizards of Wall Street
S1997 E14

Financial advisers Louis Rukeyser, Lou Dobbs and others discuss the impact of Wall Street geniuses Charles Dow and Edward Jones.

Rasputin: The Mad Monk
S1997 E16

The monk Rasputin controls the czarina in a Russia on the verge of revolution.

Lucrezia Borgia: Pretty Poison
S1997 E40

Rumors of incest and murder tar the reputation of Lucrezia Borgia.

George Marshall: Soldier and Statesman
S1997 E41

Gen. George Marshall is a World War II soldier and statesman.

Ivan the Terrible: Might and Madness
S1997 E73

Russian Czar Ivan, the Terrible, conquers Kazan, Astrakhan and Siberia.

Vincent Van Gogh: A Stroke of Genius
S1997 E99

Painter Vincent Van Gogh has a short, turbulent but gifted life.

Dwight D. Eisenhower: Commander in Chief
S1996 E14

Profile of the 34th president focuses on his military career and service as Supreme Allied Commander during World War II.

Theodore Roosevelt: Roughrider to Rushmore
S1996 E15

Interviews, archival film and still photographs capture the spirit of Theodore Roosevelt, who rose from cowboy to U.S. President.

The Great Ziegfeld
S1996 E18

With their mix of high European style and lower-class vaudevillian humor, the Ziegfeld Follies reflected the spirit of the 1920s.

The du Ponts: America's Wealthiest Family
S1996 E39

The du Ponts build a chemical empire and shun publicity.

Faberge: Imperial Jeweler
S1996 E50

Alexander III commissions Peter Carl Faberge to make jeweled Easter eggs for the czarina.

The Boston Strangler
S1996 E53

F. Lee Bailey and others discuss Albert DeSalvo, the construction worker who confessed to being the Boston Strangler.

Stonewall Jackson
S1996 E62

The story of legendary Confederate leader Gen. Thomas Jonathan Jackson, also known as "Stonewall" Jackson, is recounted.

The Earp Brothers: Lawmen of the West
S1996 E69

The controversial story of Wyatt Earp and his five brothers, from the Civil War to turn-of-the-century California.

Buffalo Bill: Showman of the West
S1996 E72

Ned Buntline's dime novels and a Wild West show immortalize Buffalo Bill.

Alexander Graham Bell: Voice of Invention
S1996 E75

Direct descendants help explore the life of inventor Alexander Graham Bell, who was driven by the desire to help others.

Sir Isaac Newton: The Gravity of Genius
S1996 E76

Recounting Sir Isaac Newton's contributions to the understanding of mathematics, astronomy and physics.

Sigmund Freud: Analysis of a Mind
S1996 E78

Sigmund Freud makes use of his own and others' fears, desires and flaws in developing theories.

J. Pierpont Morgan: Emperor of Wall Street
S1996 E87

At one time, J.P. Morgan's wealth includes 70 percent of the steel and 60 percent of the stocks of the United States.

David and Goliath: A Biblical Battle
S1996 E89

Chosen by God to be the future king of Israel, David's battle with Goliath was only one of his triumphs.

Milton Hershey
S1995 E6

After discovering how to mass-produce chocolate, Milton Hershey became a wealthy philanthropist known for funding civic institutions.

Thomas Jefferson: Philosopher of Freedom
S1995 E17

A renowned president, Thomas Jefferson was also a slave owner, debtor and allegedly the father of several illegitimate children.

FDR: Years of Crisis
S1995 E18

Franklin Delano Roosevelt's rise and first two presidential terms.

Love and Death: The Story of Bonnie and Clyde
S1995 E24

Bonnie and Clyde are killed in an ambush set up by the Texas Highway Patrol.

Lizzie Borden: A Woman Accused
S1995 E26

Lizzie Borden is accused of the brutal ax-murders of her father and stepmother.

The Extraordinary Journeys of Jules Verne
S1995 E32

Many inventors, explorers and astronauts draw inspiration from the works of French author Jules Verne.

Patton: A Genius for War
S1995 E44

Gen. George S. Patton's daring wins battles; his lack of diplomacy causes trouble.

Pocahontas: Her True Story
S1995 E49

Pocahontas worked toward peaceful coexistence with Jamestown settlers and fell in love with explorer John Smith.

Daniel Boone
S1995 E51

Profiling outdoorsman Daniel Boone, who cleared the famed Wilderness Road and became an American legend.

Lewis & Clark: Explorers of the New Frontier
S1995 E52

Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson, Lewis and Clark set out to explore the Pacific Ocean in 1804.

Crazy Horse: The Last Warrior
S1995 E53

Crazy Horse fought to protect the tribal lands of the Ogalia Sioux against white settlements in the Great Plains.

Paul Revere: The Midnight Rider
S1995 E55

Patriot Paul Revere is a master goldsmith, industrialist and political leader.

Benedict Arnold: Triumph and Treason
S1995 E56

After the Revolutionary War, Gen. Benedict Arnold lived out his days in London.

Tokyo Rose: Victim of Propaganda
S1995 E62

Under duress American Iva Toguri broadcasts Japanese propaganda during World War II.

King Arthur: His Life and Legends
S1995 E76

The King Arthur legend inspires art and politics.

Patrick Henry: Voice of Liberty
S1995 E79

A presentation of the life of revolutionary Patrick Henry, the fiery and outspoken pied piper of liberty.

Brigham Young: Architect of Faith
S1995 E82

Brigham Young's odyssey takes him from poverty in New England to autocracy in the Great Salt Lake basin.

Christopher Columbus: Explorer of the New World
S1995 E83

Christopher Columbus changes the world but dies largely forgotten.

Marco Polo: Journey to the East
S1995 E85

Marco Polo's journey east to Xanadu, Java, Ceylon, India and Zanzibar.

Ponce de Leon: The First Conquistador
S1995 E86

Lured to the New World by promises of gold and glory, legendary explorer Ponce de Leon earned himself a place in history.

Sitting Bull: Chief of the Lakota Nation
S1995 E88

A portrait of Sioux warrior and medicine man Sitting Bull, who led his people to victory at Little Bighorn.

Andrew Carnegie: Prince of Steel
S1995 E110

Immigrant Andrew Carnegie builds a fortune in steel, then gives much away.

Al Capone: Scarface
S1995 E111

Mobster Al Capone finally goes to prison for tax evasion.

Charles Dickens
S1995 E117

Novelist Charles Dickens rises from a blacking factory to world-wide fame.

Gen. Omar Bradley
S1994 E11

Omar Bradley rises to the rank of General of the Army.

George Washington: Founding Father
S1994 E19

George Washington's wealth and popularity make him a natural choice for president.

Norman Rockwell: An American Portrait
S1994 E20

The life and work of Norman Rockwell had a great impact on the nation.

Christa McAuliffe
S1994 E21

Teacher Christa McAuliffe dies with six other astronauts in the Challenger explosion.

Eleanor Roosevelt: A Restless Spirit
S1994 E37

Film, photographs and Eleanor Roosevelt's own words profile the first lady and humanitarian; host Celeste Holm.

Benjamin Franklin: Citizen of the World
S1994 E42

Inventor, liberator, ambassador and author are just some of the roles played by Benjamin Franklin in U.S. history.

Michelangelo: Artist and Man
S1994 E45

Film clips show Michelangelo's artwork and where he lived and created.

Joan of Arc: Virgin Warrior
S1994 E47

Joan of Arc, at 17, dons a suit of armor and rides off to war.

The Mysterious Edgar Allan Poe
S1994 E54

Master of the macabre, Edgar Allan Poe leads a tortured personal life.

FDR: The War Years
S1994 E64

Franklin Delano Roosevelt; international policies; Stalin and Churchill; Yalta conference.