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Duke Ellington
Acting

Duke Ellington

Born 1899-04-29
Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Department: Acting

Biography

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and leader of a jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life. Born in Washington, D.C., Ellington was based in New York City from the mid-1920s and gained a national profile through his orchestra's appearances at the Cotton Club in Harlem.

Known For

Prominent works featuring Duke Ellington

Anatomy of a Murder
Movie
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Anatomy of a Murder

1959
TMDB3.9
The Mike Douglas Show
TV
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The Mike Douglas Show

1961
TMDB2.9
The Merv Griffin Show
TV
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The Merv Griffin Show

1962
TMDB3.4
What's My Line?
TV
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What's My Line?

1950
TMDB3.5
The Dick Cavett Show
TV
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The Dick Cavett Show

1968
TMDB3.4
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
TV
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Tonight Starring Jack Paar

1957
TMDB3.8
Bambi
TV
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Bambi

1948
TMDB4.5
Le Grand Échiquier
TV
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Le Grand Échiquier

1972
TMDB4.0
The Ed Sullivan Show
TV
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The Ed Sullivan Show

1948
TMDB3.4
The Steve Allen Show
TV
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The Steve Allen Show

1956
TMDB3.1

Filmography & Credits

Complete career catalog (99 titles)

PosterTitleCharacter / RoleTypeYear
Only the Dead Know BrooklynOnly the Dead Know BrooklynMusicMovie2026
Only the Dead Know BrooklynOnly the Dead Know BrooklynMusicianMovie2026
I Can't Give You Anything But Love: The Jimmy McHugh StoryI Can't Give You Anything But Love: The Jimmy McHugh StorySelf (archive footage)Movie2024
Soundtrack to a Coup d'EtatSoundtrack to a Coup d'EtatSelf (archive footage)Movie2024
Steve e il DucaSelf (archival)Movie2024
Charlie Parker: Bird SongsCharlie Parker: Bird SongsSelf (archive footage)Movie2022
Duke Ellington in IsfahanDuke Ellington in IsfahanSelf (archive footage)Movie2021
The ApolloThe ApolloSelf (archive footage)Movie2019
The Green Book: Guide to FreedomThe Green Book: Guide to FreedomSelf - Musician (archive footage)Movie2019
Duke Ellington and his Orchestra - LiveDuke Ellington and his Orchestra - LiveHimselfMovie2019
The Jazz AmbassadorsThe Jazz AmbassadorsSelf (archive footage)Movie2018
Jazz Legends in Their Own WordsJazz Legends in Their Own WordsSelf (archive footage)Movie2014
Duke Ellington & Sarah Vaughan Live At The Berlin Philharmonic Hall 1989Duke Ellington & Sarah Vaughan Live At The Berlin Philharmonic Hall 1989SelfMovie2014
Concerto Ellington-MarsalisConcerto Ellington-MarsalisMusicMovie2014
So LongSo LongOriginal Music ComposerMovie2012
The BankbusMusicMovie2010
Jazz EvolutionJazz EvolutionSelf - PianoMovie2008
Jazz Icons: Duke Ellington Live in '58Jazz Icons: Duke Ellington Live in '58Self - PianoMovie2007
Alice Babs - Swing It!Alice Babs - Swing It!Himself (archive footage)Movie2007
Billie Holiday: The Ultimate CollectionBillie Holiday: The Ultimate CollectionHimselfMovie2005
Duke Ellington: The Big Band FeelingDuke Ellington: The Big Band FeelingSelfMovie2005
ParkinsonParkinsonSelf - Guest / Performer (archive footage)TV Series2004
The Story Of The BluesThe Story Of The BluesSelfMovie2004
The Harlem RenaissanceThe Harlem RenaissanceSelf (archive footage)Movie2004
ImprovisationImprovisationSelfMovie2004
Duke Ellington: Live At The Tivoli GardensDuke Ellington: Live At The Tivoli GardensSelfMovie2003
Piano BluesPiano BluesSelf (archive footage)Movie2003
The Intimate Duke EllingtonThe Intimate Duke EllingtonSelfMovie2003
It's Black EntertainmentIt's Black EntertainmentSelf (archive footage)Movie2002
JazzJazzSelf (archive footage)TV Series2001
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1929-1943Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1929-1943SelfMovie2000
Nutcracker SweetiesNutcracker SweetiesMusicMovie1997
The Very Best of The Ed Sullivan Show (Vol. 1)The Very Best of The Ed Sullivan Show (Vol. 1)Self / AppearanceMovie1991
The Lou Rawls Show with Duke EllingtonThe Lou Rawls Show with Duke EllingtonSelfMovie1991
Sand DanceSand DanceMusicMovie1988
MisanthropeMisanthropeOriginal Music ComposerMovie1987
Moments without Proper NamesMoments without Proper NamesSelf (archive footage)Movie1987
Sophisticated LadiesSophisticated LadiesMusicalMovie1982
The War of the InfrasThe War of the InfrasMusicMovie1978
The Turning PointThe Turning PointMusicMovie1977
Black Shadows on a Silver ScreenBlack Shadows on a Silver ScreenSelf (archive footage)Movie1975
On the Road with Duke EllingtonSelfMovie1974
On the Road with Duke EllingtonMusicMovie1974
Le Grand ÉchiquierLe Grand ÉchiquierSelfTV Series1972
Duke Ellington Orchestra @ Berliner Jazztage 1969Duke Ellington Orchestra @ Berliner Jazztage 1969SelfMovie1969
Change of MindChange of MindOriginal Music ComposerMovie1969
The Dick Cavett ShowThe Dick Cavett ShowSelf - GuestTV Series1968
Duke Ellington: Love You MadlySelfMovie1967
NET PlayhouseNET PlayhouseSelfTV Series1966
Assault on a QueenAssault on a QueenOriginal Music ComposerMovie1966
Duke Ellington at the Côte d'Azur with Ella Fitzgerald and Joan MiroDuke Ellington at the Côte d'Azur with Ella Fitzgerald and Joan MiroSelfMovie1966
The Strolling '20sThe Strolling '20sSelfMovie1966
The First World Festival of Negro ArtsThe First World Festival of Negro ArtsHimselfMovie1966
The Merv Griffin ShowThe Merv Griffin ShowSelfTV Series1962
The Mike Douglas ShowThe Mike Douglas ShowSelfTV Series1961
Paris BluesParis BluesOriginal Music ComposerMovie1961
The Asphalt JungleThe Asphalt JungleMusicTV Series1961
Anatomy of a MurderAnatomy of a MurderPie Eye (uncredited)Movie1959
Anatomy of a MurderAnatomy of a MurderOriginal Music ComposerMovie1959
DiscoramaDiscoramaSelf (archive footage)TV Series1959
The Bell Telephone HourThe Bell Telephone HourSelfTV Series1959
A Smattering of SpotsMusicMovie1958
Aktuelle SchaubudeAktuelle SchaubudeSelfTV Series1957
Tonight Starring Jack PaarTonight Starring Jack PaarSelfTV Series1957
Daybreak ExpressDaybreak ExpressMusicMovie1957
The Steve Allen ShowThe Steve Allen ShowSelf - GuestTV Series1956
Jazz BallJazz BallSelf (archive footage)Movie1956
SolitudeSelfMovie1952
Mood IndigoSelfMovie1952
Sophisticated LadySelfMovie1952
German Film AwardSelfTV Series1951
Salute to Duke EllingtonSelf / AppearanceMovie1950
What's My Line?What's My Line?SelfTV Series1950
Symphony In SwingSelf / AppearanceMovie1949
The Ed Sullivan ShowThe Ed Sullivan ShowSelfTV Series1948
BambiBambiSelfTV Series1948
Date with DukeSelfMovie1947
The VampireThe VampireMusicMovie1945
Cabin in the SkyCabin in the SkyDuke Ellington (uncredited)Movie1943
Cabin in the SkyCabin in the SkyMusicMovie1943
Reveille with BeverlyReveille with BeverlyDuke - Duke Ellington and His Orchestra (uncredited)Movie1943
Duke Ellington and His OrchestraSelf / AppearanceMovie1943
Jam SessionJam SessionSelf- PianoMovie1942
Bli-BlipBli-BlipHimselfMovie1942
I Got It Bad & That Ain't GoodSelf / AppearanceMovie1942
FlamingoSelf / AppearanceMovie1942
Birth of the BluesBirth of the BluesSelf (archive footage)Movie1941
The Hit ParadeThe Hit ParadeDuke EllingtonMovie1937
Symphony in Black: A Rhapsody of Negro LifeSymphony in Black: A Rhapsody of Negro LifeSelfMovie1935
Symphony in Black: A Rhapsody of Negro LifeSymphony in Black: A Rhapsody of Negro LifeOriginal Music ComposerMovie1935
Belle of the NinetiesBelle of the NinetiesPiano PlayerMovie1934
Many Happy ReturnsMany Happy ReturnsPiano Player (uncredited)Movie1934
Murder at the VanitiesMurder at the VanitiesDuke EllingtonMovie1934
Masks and MemoriesMasks and MemoriesSongsMovie1934
Hollywood on Parade No. B-10Hollywood on Parade No. B-10SelfMovie1934
A Bundle of BluesA Bundle of BluesSelfMovie1933
Check and Double CheckCheck and Double CheckOrchestra LeaderMovie1930
Black and TanBlack and TanDuke EllingtonMovie1929
What's HappeningWhat's HappeningSelfTV Series—