Updated Feb 20, 2026
Details
Birthday
(Wednesday)
Died
Birthplace
Height
168 cm (5'6")
Nationality
Weight
65 kg (143 lbs)
Languages
English
Spouses
Velma Warren (1953-1969), Deidre Jenkins (1970-1981), Adrienne Rodriguez (1984-1996), Tomi Rae Hynie (2001-2006)
Children
1 child: James Brown Jr.
Zodiac Sign
♉ Taurus
Chinese Zodiac
鸡 Rooster
Name Origin
English < Biblical Hebrew (יוֹסֵף)
Popularity
Tier A -- 113,208 Wikipedia views/month
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Rachel Zegler →
Screen debut
First screen credit at age 16
Career
Career spanning 53 years (1950-2003)
Notable
First credit at age 17 -- appeared in first project as a teenager
Year context
Born in 1933 -- Roosevelt inaugurated; New Deal begins; Hitler rises to power; Franklin D. Roosevelt was US president
Year 1933 →
DROPTHE GOOD_
19
Notable
out of 100
Most people on Earth score 0. Only those with measurable positive impact appear on this scale.
Human Impact
0
Innovation
20
Giving
0
Sustainability
100
Cultural Uplift
37
Public Vote
★
★
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★
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Filmography (16)
AWARDS (2)
G
Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
1992
WON
G
Grammy Awards
WON
Biography
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, musician, and record producer. The central progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th-century music, he is referred to by various nicknames, among them "Mr. Dynamite", "the Hardest-Working Man in Show Business", "Minister of New Super Heavy Funk", "Godfather of Soul", "King of Soul", and "Soul Brother No. 1". In a career that lasted more than 50 years, he influenced the development of several music genres. Brown was one of the first ten inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 23, 1986. His music has been heavily sampled by hip-hop musicians and other artists.
Connections (7)
Related People
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was James Brown?
James Brown was born on and passed away on at the age of 73.
Where was James Brown born?
James Brown was born in Augusta.
What movies or shows has James Brown been in?
James Brown has 16 credits in our database. Notable titles include A Brilliant Genocide (2016), Paper Chasers (2003), The Tuxedo (2002), Undercover Brother (2002), Behind the Music (1997).
Where can I find more information about James Brown?
You can find more about James Brown on Wikidata. Their full profile and filmography is available on this page.