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Lionel Richie
Actor, Producer, Writer, Additional CreditsBorn June 20, 1949 (75 years)
Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. (born June 20, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and television personality. He rose to fame in the 1970s as a songwriter and the co-lead singer of the Motown group Commodores; writing and recording the hit singles "Easy", "Sail On", "Three Times a Lady" and "Still", with the group before his departure. In 1980, he wrote and produced the US Billboard Hot 100 number one single "Lady" for Kenny Rogers.
In 1981, Richie wrote and produced the single "Endless Love", which he recorded as a duet with Diana Ross; it remains among the top 20 bestselling singles of all time, and the biggest career hit for both artists. In 1982, he officially launched his solo career with the album Lionel Richie, which sold over four million copies and spawned the singles "You Are", "My Love", and the number one single "Truly".
Richie's second album, Can't Slow Down (1983), reached number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and sold over 20 million copies worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling albums of all time; and spawned the number one singles "All Night Long (All Night)" and "Hello". He then co-wrote the 1985 charity single "We Are the World" with Michael Jackson, which sold over 20 million copies. His third album, Dancing on the Ceiling (1986), spawned the number one single "Say You, Say Me" (from the 1985 film White Nights) and the No. 2 hit title track. From 1986 to 1996, Richie took a break from recording; he has since then released seven studio albums. He has joined the singing competition American Idol to serve as a judge, starting from its sixteenth season (2018 to present).
During his solo career, Richie became one of the most successful balladeers of the 1980s, and has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the world's best-selling artists of all time. He has won four Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year for "We Are the World", and Album of the Year for Can't Slow Down. "Endless Love" was nominated for an Academy Award; while "Say You, Say Me" won both the Academy Award and the Golden Globe award for Best Original Song. In 2016, Richie received the Songwriters Hall of Fame's highest honor, the Johnny Mercer Award. In 2022, he received the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song by the Library of Congress; as well as the American Music Awards Icon Award. He was also inducted into Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
Richie was born on June 20, 1949, in Tuskegee, Alabama, the son of Lionel Brockman Richie (1915–1990), a U.S. Army systems analyst, and Alberta R. Foster (1917–2001), a teacher and school principal. His grandmother Adelaide Mary Brown was a pianist who played classical music. On March 4, 2011, he appeared on NBC's Who Do You Think You Are?, which found out that his maternal great-grandfather was the national leader of an early Black American fraternal organization. Notably, J. Louis Brown was: [P]rincipal organizer and Supreme Grand Archon of the Knights of Wise Men, a fraternal organization for black men in the post-Civil War period. Formed in Nashville in 1879, it was a fraternal insurance and burial benefit society, as were so many others during the period. ...
Source: Article "Lionel Richie" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.
In 1981, Richie wrote and produced the single "Endless Love", which he recorded as a duet with Diana Ross; it remains among the top 20 bestselling singles of all time, and the biggest career hit for both artists. In 1982, he officially launched his solo career with the album Lionel Richie, which sold over four million copies and spawned the singles "You Are", "My Love", and the number one single "Truly".
Richie's second album, Can't Slow Down (1983), reached number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and sold over 20 million copies worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling albums of all time; and spawned the number one singles "All Night Long (All Night)" and "Hello". He then co-wrote the 1985 charity single "We Are the World" with Michael Jackson, which sold over 20 million copies. His third album, Dancing on the Ceiling (1986), spawned the number one single "Say You, Say Me" (from the 1985 film White Nights) and the No. 2 hit title track. From 1986 to 1996, Richie took a break from recording; he has since then released seven studio albums. He has joined the singing competition American Idol to serve as a judge, starting from its sixteenth season (2018 to present).
During his solo career, Richie became one of the most successful balladeers of the 1980s, and has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the world's best-selling artists of all time. He has won four Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year for "We Are the World", and Album of the Year for Can't Slow Down. "Endless Love" was nominated for an Academy Award; while "Say You, Say Me" won both the Academy Award and the Golden Globe award for Best Original Song. In 2016, Richie received the Songwriters Hall of Fame's highest honor, the Johnny Mercer Award. In 2022, he received the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song by the Library of Congress; as well as the American Music Awards Icon Award. He was also inducted into Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
Richie was born on June 20, 1949, in Tuskegee, Alabama, the son of Lionel Brockman Richie (1915–1990), a U.S. Army systems analyst, and Alberta R. Foster (1917–2001), a teacher and school principal. His grandmother Adelaide Mary Brown was a pianist who played classical music. On March 4, 2011, he appeared on NBC's Who Do You Think You Are?, which found out that his maternal great-grandfather was the national leader of an early Black American fraternal organization. Notably, J. Louis Brown was: [P]rincipal organizer and Supreme Grand Archon of the Knights of Wise Men, a fraternal organization for black men in the post-Civil War period. Formed in Nashville in 1879, it was a fraternal insurance and burial benefit society, as were so many others during the period. ...
Source: Article "Lionel Richie" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.
Filmography
| 2024 | Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary · as Self |
| 2024 | |
| 2024 | The 66th Annual Grammy Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 2024 | The Greatest Night in Pop · as Self |
| 2023 | The 46th Annual Kennedy Center Honors · as Self |
| 2023 | Thriller 40 · as Self |
| 2023 | |
| 2023 | |
| 2023 | Flora and Son · as Self (archive Footage) (uncredited) |
| 2023 | |
| 2023 | Little Richard: I Am Everything · as Self |
| 2023 | Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2023 | |
| 2022 | The 56th Annual CMA Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 2022 | The 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony · as Self - Inductee |
| 2022 | Not Just a Girl · as Self |
| 2022 | Studio 666 · as Lionel Richie |
| 2021 | |
| 2021 | 55th Annual CMA Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 2021 | Kenny Rogers All in for the Gambler · as Self |
| 2021 | |
| 2021 | MTV 80s - Top 40 Sad Songs from the 80s! · as Lionel Richie |
| 2021 | MTV 80s - Top 50 Legends of the 80s! · as Lionel Richie |
| 2021 | Waffles & Mochi (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2021 | The 63rd Annual Grammy Awards · as Self - Performer |
| 2021 | MTV 80s - Top 50 Global No. 1s of the 80s! · as Lionel Richie |
| 2020 | MTV 80s - Top 50 Lessons in 80s Love! · as Lionel Richie |
| 2020 | MTV 80s - Top 50 Greatest Voices of the 80s! · as Lionel Richie |
| 2020 | MTV 80s - Top 50 Unforgettable 80s Music Videos! · as Lionel Richie |
| 2020 | MTV 80s - Top 50 Feelgood 80s Anthems! · as Lionel Richie |
| 2020 | MTV 80s - Top 50 Boys vs Girls of the 80s! · as Lionel Richie |
| 2020 | MTV 80s - Top 50 80s Classics That Made MTV! · as Lionel Richie |
| 2020 | The Drew Barrymore Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2020 | Loving Neverland · as Self |
| 2020 | The Disney Family Singalong Volume 2 · as Self |
| 2020 | A&E Biography: Kenny Rogers · as Self |
| 2020 | Nikki Fre$h (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2020 | Disney Insider (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2020 | Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time (TV Series) · as Self - Video Clue Presenter |
| 2019 | Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project · as Self |
| 2019 | The Kelly Clarkson Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2019 | David Foster: Off the Record · as Self |
| 2019 | Hitsville: The Making of Motown · as Self |
| 2019 | Humanitarian: The Real Michael Jackson · as Self |
| 2019 | The Black Godfather · as Self |
| 2019 | Leaving Neverland · as Self |
| 2018 | The Rookie (TV Series) · as Lionel Richie |
| 2018 | Quincy · as Self |
| 2017 | Elton John: The Nation's Favourite Song · as Self |
| 2017 | Pavarotti, chanteur populaire · as Self |
| 2017 | Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives · as Self |
| 2016 | American Housewife (TV Series) · as Lionel Richie |
| 2016 | The 58th Annual Grammy Awards · as Self - Performer & Winner |
| 2016 | |
| 2015 | Oprah's Master Class: Belief Special · as Self |
| 2015 | The Late Late Show with James Corden (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2014 | Nathan East: For the Record · as Self |
| 2014 | Kenny Rogers: Cards on the Table · as Self |
| 2014 | BET Awards 2014 · as Self |
| 2014 | Good Morning Britain (TV Series) · as Self - Interviewee |
| 2013 | Lil Wayne: Rap Sheet · as Self |
| 2012 | Lionel Richie and Friends · as Self |
| 2012 | Gottschalk Live (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2012 | CBS Mornings (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2011 | American Music Awards 2011 · as Self - Presenter |
| 2011 | The Jonathan Ross Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2011 | Dish Nation (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2011 | Why Not? With Shania Twain (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2011 | The Voice (TV Series) · as Self - Adviser |
| 2011 | Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years · as Self |
| 2011 | CMT: 40 Greatest Love Songs · as Self |
| 2011 | Piers Morgan Tonight (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2011 | Oprah Presents Master Class (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2010 | The Talk (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2010 | Who Do You Think You Are? (US) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2010 | The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards · as Self |
| 2009 | C à Vous (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2009 | Michael Jackson Memorial · as Self |
| 2009 | Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2009 | Alan Carr: Chatty Man (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2009 | Chris Moyles' Quiz Night (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2009 | Kate Garraway’s Life Stories (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2009 | Skavlan (TV Series) · as Self - Guest And Musical Performer |
| 2008 | Lionel Richie: Symphonica in Rosso · as Self |
| 2008 | Unsung (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2008 | The Wendy Williams Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2008 | Pavarotti The Duets · as Self |
| 2008 | Oscar, que empiece el espectáculo · as Self |
| 2008 | The Strip Live (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2007 | Chelsea Lately (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2007 | Kenny Rogers: The Journey · as Himself |
| 2007 | Aftenshowet (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2006 | 2006 American Music Awards · as Self |
| 2006 | CMT Giants (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2006 | American Idol Rewind (TV Series) · as Self - Guest Judge |
| 2006 | The ONE Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2006 | America's Got Talent (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2006 | Legends Ball · as Self |
| 2005 | Entertainment Tonight Canada (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2005 | Dancing with the Stars (TV Series) · as Self - Performer |
| 2004 | George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2004 | The Paul O'Grady Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2004 | The Insider (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | The Xtra Factor (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | The X Factor (TV Series) · as Self - Special Guest |
| 2004 | Anke Late Night (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | Tavis Smiley (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2003 | The Lionel Richie Collection · as Self |
| 2003 | The Ellen DeGeneres Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | I Love the 70s (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | Australian Idol (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2003 | La méthode Cauet (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | Canadian Idol (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2002 | I Love The 80s (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2002 | Top Gear (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2002 | Tinseltown TV (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2002 | American Idol (TV Series) · as Self - Guest Judge |
| 2002 | V Graham Norton (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2002 | CMT Crossroads (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2001 | Richard & Judy (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2001 | Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2001 | Star Academy (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2001 | Party in the Park 1998 · as Self |
| 2001 | I Love the '80s (UK) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1999 | The Early Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1999 | Where Are They Now? (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1999 | |
| 1999 | The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1999 | TV Total (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1998 | Felicity (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1998 | Roll on Sunday (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1998 | We Can't Wait for Next Sunday (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1998 | Tout le monde en parle (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1998 | Domino Day (TV Series) · as Self - Guest Star |
| 1998 | Motown 40: The Music Is Forever · as Self |
| 1998 | Die Johannes B. Kerner Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1998 | Johnny Hallyday: Johnny allume le feu - Stade de France 98 · as Lionel Richie |
| 1997 | Behind the Music (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1997 | The View (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1996 | Access Hollywood (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1996 | The Rosie O'Donnell Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1996 | VIP World (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1996 | SMAP×SMAP (TV Series) · as Self - Musical Guest |
| 1996 | Sen Kväll Med Luuk (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1996 | TFI Friday (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1995 | E! Live from the Red Carpet (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1994 | WGN Morning News (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1994 | Extra (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1994 | The Footy Show (AFL) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1993 | Jools' Annual Hootenanny (TV Series) · as Self - Performer |
| 1993 | Late Show with David Letterman (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1993 | GMTV (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1993 | Good Morning Australia (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1992 | Later... with Jools Holland (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1992 | Oscar's Greatest Moments · as Self |
| 1992 | Lionel Richie: Do It to Me · as Lionel Richie |
| 1991 | Maury (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1991 | Madonna: Truth or Dare · as Self |
| 1990 | Christmas In Rockefeller Center (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1990 | The VideoMatch Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1989 | National Memorial Day Concert (TV Series) · as Self - Performer |
| 1989 | BingoLotto (TV Series) · as Self - Musical Guest |
| 1989 | The Arsenio Hall Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1988 | Inside Edition (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1988 | This Morning (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1988 | LIVE with Kelly and Mark (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1988 | 20th NAACP Image Awards · as Self |
| 1986 | The Oprah Winfrey Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1986 | Lionel Richie: Dancing on the Ceiling · as Lionel Richie |
| 1986 | Liberty Weekend · as Self |
| 1986 | The 58th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Performer & Winner |
| 1985 | Live Aid · as Self |
| 1985 | Larry King Live (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1985 | We Are the World · as Self |
| 1985 | USA for Africa: We Are the World · as Self |
| 1984 | The 11th Annual American Music Awards · as Self - Host |
| 1983 | Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever · as Self |
| 1983 | Lionel Richie: All Night Long (All Night) · as Lionel Richie |
| 1982 | Today (Australia) (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1982 | Wogan (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1982 | The 54th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Nominee & Performer |
| 1982 | Night of 100 Stars · as Self |
| 1982 | Champs-Elysees (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1981 | Entertainment Tonight (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1981 | Wetten, dass..? (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1980 | Solid Gold (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1980 | Verstehen Sie Spaß? (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1979 | CBS Sunday Morning With Jane Pauley (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1978 | Thank God It's Friday · as Self |
| 1978 | An Audience With (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1977 | On Your Marks, Get Set, Go (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1975 | Saturday Night Live (TV Series) · as Self - Musical Guest |
| 1975 | Arena (1975) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1975 | Good Morning America (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1972 | The Midnight Special (TV Series) · as Self - Host |
| 1971 | Soul Train (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1971 | Parkinson (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1971 | Great Performances (TV Series) · as Self - Head Vocals |
| 1968 | One Life to Live (TV Series) · as Lionel Richie |
| 1963 | Festival de Viña del Mar (TV Series) · as Self - Musical Guest |
| 1962 | The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1959 | Grammy Awards (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1952 | American Bandstand (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1952 | Today (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1951 | Sanremo Music Festival (TV Series) · as Self - Performer |