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American Masters, committed to producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.

Watch • 2:10
American Masters
Wilder
Celebrate the legacy of Gene Wilder, the actor behind Willy Wonka and Young Frankenstein.
Preview: S40 E8 | 2:10
Watch • 1:12
American Masters
When "Zoot Suit" reached Broadway
Luis Valdez's "Zoot Suit" was the first Chicano play on Broadway.
Clip: S40 E6 | 1:12
Watch • 1:33:51
American Masters
American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez (EAD)
Discover filmmaker and playwright Luis Valdez, a founding figure of the Chicano Movement.
Special: 1:33:51
Support for American Masters is provided by AARP, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Thea Petschek Iervolino Foundation, Burton P. and Judith B. Resnick Foundation, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, Jeffrey Katz and Beth Rogers, Kate W. Cassidy Foundation, The Marc Haas Foundation, Lillian Goldman Programming Endowment, Seton J. Melvin, Candace King Weir, Koo and Patricia Yuen, Laura Richards and Jim Naughton, Filomen M. Dagostino Foundation, André and Elizabeth Kertész Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, Ellen and James S. Marcus, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, The Charina Endowment Fund, and public television viewers.
Latest Episodes
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  • American Masters Season 40
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  • American Masters Season 17
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  • American Masters Season 15
  • American Masters Season 14
  • American Masters Season 12
  • American Masters Season 4
  • American Masters Season 3
  • American Masters Season 1
Watch • 1:33:51
American Masters
American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez (EAD)
Discover filmmaker and playwright Luis Valdez, a founding figure of the Chicano Movement.
Special: 1:33:51
Watch • 1:31:00
American Masters
American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez (ASL)
Discover filmmaker and playwright Luis Valdez, a founding figure of the Chicano Movement.
Special: 1:31:00
Watch • 1:31:01
American Masters
American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez
Discover filmmaker and playwright Luis Valdez, a founding figure of the Chicano Movement.
Episode: S40 E6 | 1:31:01
Watch • 44:00
American Masters
Mike Faist Embraces the Unknown
Actor Mike Faist explores the creative process behind his work on East of Eden.
Special: 44:00
Watch • 13:21
American Masters
Brooke Shields' early career with Bob Hope and performing for the troops
Brooke Shields on her work with Bob Hope and performing for the troops.
Special: 13:21
American Masters
Wilder
Celebrate the legacy of Gene Wilder, the actor behind Willy Wonka and Young Frankenstein.
Episode: S40 E8
Watch • 55:08
American Masters
The Many Passions of Matteo Lane
Comedian Matteo Lane on stand-up, painting, singing, performing on Broadway and much more.
Special: 55:08
Watch • 1:22:55
American Masters
Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World
Celebrate the life and career of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver.
Episode: S40 E5 | 1:22:55
Watch • 1:22:55
American Masters
Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World [ASL]
This version contains ASL. Celebrate the life and career of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver.
Special: 1:22:55
Watch • 1:26:04
American Masters
Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World [EAD]
This version contains EAD. Celebrate the life and career of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver.
Special: 1:26:04
Extras
Watch • 0:57
American Masters
Luis Valdez's farmworker origins
Luis Valdez was born in a farm labor camp in Delano, California to farmworker parents.
Clip: S40 E6 | 0:57
Watch • 3:06
American Masters
Luis Valdez's play commented on identity and assimilation
Luis Valdez's play, "Los Vendidos," or the sellouts, was a commentary on assimilation and identity.
Clip: S40 E6 | 3:06
Watch • 1:06
American Masters
Lucy Dacus reads Mary Oliver's "The Journey"
Lucy Dacus reads Mary Oliver's poem "The Journey" in this outtake.
Clip: S40 E5 | 1:06
Watch • 0:58
American Masters
Steve Buscemi reads Mary Oliver's "The First Time Percy Came Back"
Listen to Steve Buscemi read Mary Oliver's poem "The First Time Percy Came Back."
Clip: S40 E5 | 0:58
Watch • 2:10
American Masters
American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez
Discover filmmaker and playwright Luis Valdez, a founding figure of the Chicano Movement.
Preview: S40 E6 | 2:10
Watch • 2:30
American Masters
Unpacking the meaning behind Mary Oliver's "Wild Geese"
"Wild Geese" is one of Mary Oliver's most popular poems.
Clip: S40 E5 | 2:30
Watch • 2:32
American Masters
Mary Oliver had a troubled childhood
Mary Oliver often hinted at the turmoil within her family, but sought to move past it.
Clip: S40 E5 | 2:32
Watch • 1:18
American Masters
Steve Buscemi reads Mary Oliver's poem, "The Fish"
Listen to Steve Buscemi read Mary Oliver's poem "The Fish" in this excerpt from the film.
Clip: S40 E5 | 1:18
Watch • 2:00
American Masters
The political nature of Mary Oliver's poems
Mary Oliver sought to call attention to the destruction of the earth in her work.
Clip: S40 E5 | 2:00
Watch • 1:26
American Masters
How Mary Oliver met her life partner, Molly Malone Cook
Mary Oliver met her life partner, photographer Molly Malone Cook, at Steepletop.
Clip: S40 E5 | 1:26