Ben VereenFilmography

Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1970s

Actors: Shirley Jones, Gwen Verdon, Ann Reinking, Shirley MacLaine

Synopsis: Take a trip back to an era when musicals were evolving into something much more than fluffy dance-a-thons with happy endings in this documentary hosted by Academy Award-winner Shirley Jones. Disco and rock were transforming the musical as audiences knew it. All of a sudden it wasn't about families Read More

Your Mama Don't Dance [TV Series]

Actors: Ian Ziering, Cris Judd, Ben Vereen, Vitamin C

Synopsis: This Lifetime television series finds ten professional dancers partnered with a significantly less skilled partner - one of their parents. The show follows each parent-child team's efforts at learning various pieces of choreography to be performed in front of a studio audience. Each week leaves Read More

And Then Came Love

Actors: Vanessa Williams, Kevin Daniels, Michael Boatman, Jeremy Gumbs, Eartha Kitt

Synopsis: By conceiving a child via artificial insemination, hip, modern and thoroughly independent magazine writer Julie Davidson (Vanessa Williams) managed to trim the messy nuptial relationship strings so often attached to starting a family. Imagine her shock, then, when her now-six-year-old son, Jason Read More

Tapioca

Actors: Ben Vereen, Greg Hollimon, Tim Kazurinsky, Mike Houlihan, Mark Borchardt

Synopsis: Veteran actor, theater producer, and former Chicago Sun-Times features columnist Mike Houlihan recruits his entire family to help produce Tapioca, a comedy starring Ben Vereen, Tim Kazurinski, Mark Borchardt, and Greg Hollimon, and featuring an original score by Chicago jazz composer Ryan Cohan. Read More

Hair: Let the Sunshine In

Actors: Milos Forman, Keith Carradine, Ben Vereen, Tim Curry, Melba Moore

Synopsis: The cast and creators of the 60s-era musical Hair reflect on the remarkable cultural impact that their play had on the shifting American sociopolitical landscape as filmmakers Wolfgang Held and Pola Rapaport investigate the curious origins of the landmark production. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Read More

Idlewild

Actors: André Benjamin, Antwan Andre Patton, Paula Patton, Terrence Howard, Faizon Love

Synopsis: OutKast duo André "Andre 3000" Benjamin and Antwan Andre "Big Boi" Patton star as two Prohibition-era performers determined to fend off the vicious gangsters currently attempting to gain a stake in the pair's lucrative club in this musical drama directed by longtime collaborator Bryan Barber and Read More

Broadway: The American Musical, Episode 5 - Tradition (1957-1979)

The Painting

Actors: Stacey Dash, Charles Shaughnessy

The Feast of All Saints

Actors: Gloria Reuben, Peter Gallagher, Jennifer Beals, Robert Ri'chard

Synopsis: Based on a story by Anne Rice, this made-for-cable miniseries explores the little-known phenomenon of the "Gens de Couleur Libres," or "Free People of Color," who lived in Louisiana at a time when slavery still held a stranglehold on much of the South. In 1822, it was not at all uncommon for Read More

Fosse

Synopsis: This Broadway stage tribute to the man behind the brilliant, seductive choreography of Cabaret, Chicago, Sweet Charity, and Damn Yankees took Broadway by storm in January of 1999 and racked up several awards. Ann Reinking and Ben Vereen head an all-star cast performing Fosse standards "Life Is Read More

Happily Ever After Fairy Tales: Goldilocks

Synopsis: Intended primarily for African-American audiences, this animated retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears uses modern hip-hop and jazz references to spice up an otherwise timeless children's story. The HBO series was known for its celebrity voices; vocal talents in this episode include the Read More

I'll Take You There

Actors: Ally Sheedy, Reg Rogers, Lara Harris, John Pyper-Ferguson, Alice Drummond

Synopsis: Former Hal Hartley collaborator Adrienne Shelly directs her second feature about a blind date gone horribly horribly awry. Still thoroughly depressed after his girlfriend dumped him three months ago, Bill (Reg Rogers) is coerced by his sister (Shelly) into going on a blind date with Bernice (Ally Sheedy Read More

Why Do Fools Fall In Love

Actors: Halle Berry, Vivica A. Fox, Lela Rochon, Larenz Tate, Paul Mazursky

Synopsis: Gregory Nava directed this biographical drama on the brief but intense life of singer Frankie Lymon who stayed with the popular Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers group only for a year. Lymon was 13 years old when the group erupted from radios and jukeboxes with their 1956 hit, Why Do Fools Fall in Read More

Vaudeville

Synopsis: This documentary traces the late-19th-century and early-20th-century origins of vaudeville (English music halls, Yiddish theater, minstrel shows) with fast-paced film clips of vaudeville vocalists, acrobats, ethnic comedians, dancers, ukulele players, contortionists, performing animals, and other Read More

Touched By an Angel: Secret Service

Synopsis: Workaholic Secret Service operative Marty Dillard (Heidi Swedberg) makes no secret of her resentment when rookie agent Monica (Roma Downey) is assigned to protect Presidential candidate Hammond (Roy Thinnes), who has been threatened with assassination. Meanwhile, Angel of Death Andrew (John Dye) Read More

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: Papa's Got a Brand-New Excuse

Synopsis: Ben Vereen makes his one and only appearance as Will's irresponsible father Lou Smith, who breezes back into his son's life fourteen years after deserting him. Though Philip (James Avery) and Vivian (Daphne Maxwell Reid) smolder with resentment over how Lou treated Will (Will Smith) in the past Read More

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Interface

Synopsis: While working with an experimental interfacing probe, Geordi investigates the stranded USS Raman. Here he has a vision of his long-estranged mother (Madge Sinclair), who had disappeared during another mission more than 300 light years away. Convinced that the vision is real, Geordi defies Read More

Once Upon a Forest

Actors: Michael Crawford, Ben Vereen, Ellen Blain, Ben Gregory, Paige Gosney

Synopsis: Set in a charming forest wonderland, this ecologically-conscious animated adventure tells the tale of a badger who inhales toxic fumes and nearly dies. Fortunately, her pals, a mouse, a hedgehog, and a mole are willing to risk their lives to find a cure. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide Read More

Intruders

Actors: Richard Crenna, Mare Winningham, Daphne Ashbrook, Susan Blakely, Ben Vereen

Synopsis: Hypnotic regression prompts a pair of sisters to recognize that they've been abducted by aliens. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide Read More

Silk Stalkings: Season 02

Actors: Rob Estes, Mitzi Kapture, Ben Vereen, Robert Gossett

Synopsis: Sgt. Chris Lorenzo (Rob Estes) and Sgt. Rita Lee "Sam" Lance (Mitzi Kapture) continue to expose the sordid, sometimes kinky nether world of fashionable Palm Beach, FL, during the second season of Silk Stalkings. Working as undercover cops, Chris and Rita persist in their efforts to solve various Read More

Silk Stalkings: Season 01

Actors: Rob Estes, Mitzi Kapture, Ben Vereen

Synopsis: According to series narrator Sgt. Rita Lee "Sam" Lance (Mitzi Kapture), crimes of passion committed amongst the rich and famous of fashionable Palm Beach, FL, are known to the police as "silk stalkings" -- thereby explaining the name of this popular hour-long cop drama. Throughout the series' Read More

The Kid Who Loved Christmas

Actors: Trent Cameron

Synopsis: This made-for-TV drama--Sammy Davis, Jr.'s last--stars Trent Cameron as a young orphan who must fight against social workers in order to remain with his adoptive father, a widowed jazzman. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide Read More

Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme

Actors: Shelley Duvall, Dan Gilroy

Synopsis: An all-star cast is included on this children's adventure that follows a search for Mother Goose by her son (Dan Gilroy) and Little Bo Peep (Shelley Duvall). ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide Read More

Buy and Cell

Actors: Robert Carradine, Michael Winslow, Lise Cutter, Malcolm McDowell, Ben Vereen

Synopsis: After he is framed by his senior partner and sent to jail, Herbie Altman Robert Carradine sets up a lucrative investment company "Con Inc." with the assistance of the other convicts, sympathetic guards, and a well-intentioned prison reformer Lise Cutter. Lame, predictable story which wastes a Read More

Zoobilee Zoo, Vol. 6: Sticky Situation...

Synopsis: This children's collection features a number of episodes of "Zoobilee Zoo," a fantastical place filled with a variety of animals that are played by costumed actors. This video contains the episodes "A Sticky Situation," "Backwardville," and "The Robot Zoobles." ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide Read More

Zoobilee Zoo, Vol. 7: Blue Ribbon Zooble

Synopsis: This children's collection features a number of episodes of "Zoobilee Zoo," a fantastical place filled with a variety of animals that are played by costumed actors. This video contains the episodes "Blue Ribbon Zoobles," "Two's a Crowd," and "Lookout's Dog." ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide Read More

Zoobilee Zoo, Vol. 1: Land of Rhymes & Others

Synopsis: This children's collection features a number of episodes of "Zoobilee Zoo," a fantastical place filled with a variety of animals that are played by costumed actors. This video contains the episodes "Land of Rhymes," "Bravo's Puppets," and "Singalong 1." ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide Read More

Zoobilee Zoo, Vol. 2: Laughland & Other...

Synopsis: This children's collection features a number of episodes of "Zoobilee Zoo," a fantastical place filled with a variety of animals that are played by costumed actors. This video contains the episodes "Laughland," "Attack of the Giant Potatoes," and "Singalong 2." ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide Read More

Zoobilee Zoo, Vol. 4: Surprise, Surprise

Synopsis: This children's collection features a number of episodes of "Zoobilee Zoo," a fantastical place filled with a variety of animals that are played by costumed actors. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide Read More

Zoobilee Zoo, Vol. 5: Zooble Hop & Other...

Synopsis: This children's collection features a number of episodes of "Zoobilee Zoo," a fantastical place filled with a variety of animals that are played by costumed actors. This video contains the episodes "Zooble Hop," "The Genie," and "Gotta Dance." ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide Read More

Zoobilee Zoo, Vol. 10: Lady Whazzat & Others

Synopsis: This children's collection features a number of episodes of "Zoobilee Zoo," a fantastical place filled with a variety of animals that are played by costumed actors. This video contains the episodes "Lady Whazzat," "Simon and the Leprechaun," and "Is There a Doctor in the House?" ~ Iotis Erlewine Read More

Zoobilee Zoo, Vol. 9: Zoobadoobas & Others

Synopsis: This children's collection features a number of episodes of "Zoobilee Zoo," a fantastical place filled with a variety of animals that are played by costumed actors. This video contains the episodes "Zoobadoobas," "When You Wish Upon a Tooth Fairy," and "Trading Places." ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Read More

Zoobilee Zoo, Vol. 8: Magic Ring & Others

Synopsis: This children's collection features a number of episodes of "Zoobilee Zoo," a fantastical place filled with a variety of animals that are played by costumed actors. This video contains the episodes "The Magic Ring," "Smart Dummy," and "Talkerella." ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide Read More

Zoobilee Zoo, Vol. 3

Lost in London

Synopsis: Diminutive Webster star Emmanuel Lewis is virtually the whole show in this made-for-TV update of Oliver Twist. Upset when his divorced fashion-designer mother (Lynne Moody) relocates to London, 8-year-old Davey Williams (Lewis) runs away. Soon thereafter, he joins up with a group of orphaned Read More

A.D.

Actors: Anthony Andrews, Colleen Dewhurst, Ava Gardner, David Hedison, John Houseman

Synopsis: Filmed in Tunisia on a budget of 30 million dollars, the five-part, 12-hour miniseries A.D. was the final installment in a historical trilogy which included Moses the Lawgiver and Jesus of Nazareth. Covering the years 30 to 69 A.D., the teleplay, co-written by Anthony Burgess, chronicled the Read More

The Zoo Gang

Actors: Ben Vereen, Jackie Earle Haley, Eric Gurry, Tiffany Helm, Jason Gedrick

Synopsis: In a fast-paced teen comedy by Pen Densham, Ben Vereen stars as a former boxer who graduates into a failure as a nightclub owner. The club is called the "Zoo" and a group of homeless waifs want to rent it to start their own profitable business. The trouble is that this group of teens is opposed by Read More

Rock Music with the Muppets

Synopsis: Rock to the sounds of the Muppets and their special musical guests as they perform titles such as "Rock Around the Clock," "Call Me," "Rainbow Connection" and "Disco Frog." ~ All Movie Guide Read More

Webster: Season 02

Actors: Emmanuel Lewis, Alex Karras, Susan Clark, Henry Polic II, Eugene Roche, Cathryn Damon, Ben Vereen

Faerie Tale Theatre: Puss-In-Boots

Synopsis: Ben Vereen stars as the clever title character in this delightful episode of Shelley Duvall's made for cable series Faerie Tale Theatre. A quick-witted talking cat dons boots, a cloak, and a hat in order to carry out his plan to turn his master -- a poor peasant played by Gregory Hines -- into a Read More

Don't Ask Me, Ask God

The Jesse Owens Story

Synopsis: Dorian Harewood stars as the legendary black athlete in this made-for-TV biography that follows Jesse Owens from his collegiate career, to his pinnacle at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where he won four gold medals--much to the dismay of Adolf Hitler and his squad of Aryan super-athletes. ~ Jason Read More

Breakin' Through

SCTV Network: Bobby Bittman's Retirement with Ben Vereen

Actors: Ben Vereen, Mary Charlotte Wilcox

Synopsis: Funnyman Bobby Bittman (Eugene Levy) quits showbiz after being upstaged by his opening act, Ben Vereen -- but he makes a comeback upon realizing that nobody cares that he's gone. Former "Sammy Maudlin Show" sidekick William B. (John Candy) disastrously launches his own talk show, and is coached in Read More

Ellis Island

Synopsis: The seven-hour TV miniseries Ellis Island was adapted from a novel by Fred Mustard Stewart. Per its title, the film is a mosaic of subplots involving several European immigrants who passed through New York's Ellis Island before taking up residence in the Big Apple. Most of the characters are based Read More

Cycling through China

The Charmkins

Synopsis: Charm World's Lady Slipper takes on a nasty villain with the help of her friends in this animated story for children. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide Read More

Pippin

Actors: William Katt, Ben Vereen

Synopsis: This made-for-television movie is a filmed version of the Bob Fosse musical hit of the same name. William Katt stars in the title role of this fictionalized story of Pippin, the son of Charlemagne who sets out to find meaning in life and discovers his true self along the way. Ben Vereen appears in Read More

Sabine

Actors: Rijk de Gooyer, Ben Vereen, Mike Burstyn

Synopsis: Nicky (Benthe Forrer) and her father (Rijk de Gooyer) go for a vacation (her) and for business (him) to Aruba, the Dutch island just off the coast of Venezuela, with the added twist that they have not really known each other all the while Nicky was growing up (she is now a buxom young 15 year Read More

Tenspeed and Brown Shoe

Actors: Jeff Goldblum, Ben Vereen

Synopsis: Tenspeed and Brown Shoe was a "cult" comedy adventure series created by Stephen J. Cannell, which ran from January to June of 1980. Ben Vereen played E. L. "Tenspeed" Turner, a silver tongued African-American con artist. Jeff Goldblum costarred as staid stockbroker Lionel Whitney, whom Tenspeed Read More

All That Jazz

Actors: Roy Scheider, Jessica Lange, Ann Reinking, Cliff Gorman, Leland Palmer, John Lithgow

Synopsis: "It's showtime!" In this part film à clef, part musical phantasmagoria, director/choreographer Bob Fosse takes a Felliniesque look at the life of a driven entertainer. Joe Gideon (Roy Scheider, channeling Fosse) is the ultimate work (and pleasure)-aholic, as he knocks back a daily dose of Read More

Roots

Actors: LeVar Burton, Louis Gossett, Jr., John Amos, Ben Vereen

Synopsis: This award-winning six-part historical epic was one of the first examples of the miniseries format and one of the highest-rated television programs in broadcasting history. Based on the best-selling novel by author Alex Haley, Roots chronicles the progress of Haley's own family across many Read More

Louis Armstrong: Chicago Style

Synopsis: In his TV dramatic debut, Ben Vereen stars as legendary jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong. The teleplay dramatizes a single incident in 1931, when Armstrong, still struggling for recognition, was playing a small Chicago bistro. Local gangsters catch Louis' act and offer him a huge salary increase to Read More

Funny Lady

Actors: Barbra Streisand, James Caan, Omar Sharif, Roddy McDowall, Ben Vereen

Synopsis: Funny Lady, the follow-up to the 1968 Funny Girl which made a movie star of Barbra Streisand, picks up the character of Fanny Brice in the 1930s. Although she is a tremendously famous Broadway star, she has suffered from the stock market crash and needs to boost her finances. Even Ziegfeld, who Read More

Gas-S-S-S!

Actors: Robert Corff, Elaine Giftos, George Armitage, Alex Wilson

Synopsis: They used to say "don't trust anyone over 30," but there's no one over 30 left to distrust in this loosely plotted satirical comedy directed by Roger Corman. During the opening ceremonies for a chemical and biological weapons facility in Alaska, an experimental gas is accidentally released which Read More

Sweet Charity

Actors: Shirley MacLaine, John McMartin, Ricardo Montalban, Sammy Davis, Jr., Chita Rivera

Synopsis: Shirley MacLaine plays Charity Hope Valentine who, despite her job at a seedy dime-a-dance joint, is an incurable optimist. Charity never stops looking for true love and never seems to look for it in the right places. We first see her in the company of Charlie (Dante DiPaolo), a slimeball who Read More