Maya Angelou

Actor · 1928–2014 · St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Biography

Maya Angelou (April 4, 1928 – May 28, 2014) was an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees.

Acted in 21

2020s

2024
Daedalus
Sampled Interview (voice) (uncredited)

2010s

2011
On the Shoulders of Giants
Movie

2000s

2006
Madea's Family Reunion
May
48
2000
The Runaway
Conjure Woman

1990s

1997
HARDtalk
TV · 29 Seasons · Talk
1996
Moesha
Maya Angelou · 1 episode
63
Angelou on Burns
Movie
1995
How to Make an American Quilt
Anna
63
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
Fairy Godmother (voice) · 1 episode
67
1994
Touched by an Angel
Clarice Mitchell · 1 episode
65
1993
There Are No Children Here
Lelia Mae
Poetic Justice
Aunt June
55
1992
The Real Malcolm X
Movie
Kindred Spirits: Contemporary African American Artists
Anchor

1980s

1982
Creativity with Bill Moyers: Portrait of Maya Angelou
Movie

1970s

1977
The Richard Pryor Show
TV
The Richard Pryor Special?
Willie's Wife
Roots
Nyo Boto · 1 episode
81

1950s

1959
Porgy and Bess
Dancer
1957
Calypso Heat Wave
Movie
1951
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Conjure woman · 1 episode

Wrote 4

1990s

1996
America's Dream
Story

1980s

1982
Sister, Sister
Writer

1970s

1979
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Writer, Novel
1972
Georgia, Georgia
Writer

Directed 3

1990s

1998
Down in the Delta
Director

1970s

1976
The Tapestry
Director
1975
All Day Long
Director

Other crew 2

2000s

2009
The Black Candle
Poem

1970s

1977
The Richard Pryor Special?
Additional Writing

Sound 2

1970s

1972
Georgia, Georgia
Music

1960s

1960
Integration Report 1
Music

Produced 1

1980s

1982
Sister, Sister
Producer

Appearances37

2020s

2025
Orwell: 2+2=5
Self (archive footage)
72
2024
Maya Angelou at the BBC
Self (archive footage)
2022
Why Is We Americans?
Self
2021
A Song for Cesar: Beware a Movement That Sings
Self
2020
Minha Bateria Está Fraca e Está Ficando Tarde
Self

2010s

2018
Words Are Things
Narrator (voice)
Mr. SOUL!
Self (archive footage)
2017
The Nineties
Self (archive footage) · 1 episode
78
2016
Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise
Self (archive footage)
2015
I Hope You Dance: The Power and Spirit of Song
Self
2014
The Power of the Heart
Self
2012
Paul Simon: Under African Skies
Self
2010
One Night in Vegas
Self

2000s

2009
Papa Césaire
Self
Good Hair
Self
74
The Black Candle
Self - Narrator
2008
Joe Louis: America's Hero Betrayed
Self
2005
Iconoclasts
Self · 1 episode
2004
Sesame Street: What's the Name of That Song?
Self (archive footage)
America Beyond the Color Line
Self · 1 episode

1990s

1999
The Unfinished Journey
Self
The Early Show
Self · 2 episodes
52
1998
Quincy Jones... The First 50 Years
Self
The Enchanted Island Madagascar: The Living Edens
Narrator
1997
Perfect Moment
Self
1996
Sesame Street: Elmo Saves Christmas
Narrator (voice)
Get on the Bus
Self (archive footage, uncredited)
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
Self · 1 episode
41
1994
Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever!
Self (archive footage)
Malcolm X: Make It Plain
Self
1993
Intimate Portrait
Self (archive footage) · 1 episode
Sesame Street's 25th Birthday: A Musical Celebration
Self - Special Guest