Sam Kinison

Acting

Sam Kinison

Born 1953-12-08 · Yakima, Washington, U.S.

Samuel Burl "Sam" Kinison (December 8, 1953 – April 10, 1992) was an American stand-up comedian and actor. He was known for his intense, harsh and politically incorrect humor. A former Pentecostal preacher, he performed stand-up routines that were most often characterized by an intense style, similar to charismatic preachers, and punctuated by his trademark scream.

Acting credits

Back to School poster
6.3

Self-made millionaire Thornton Melon decides to get a better education and enrolls at his son Jason's college. While Jason tries to fit in with his fellow students, Thornton struggles to gain his son's respect, giving way to hilarious antics.

Back to School

1986

Saturday Night Live: 15th Anniversary poster
7.8

A TV special celebrating the 15th anniversary of Saturday Night Live. Before a celebrity audience, many of the former cast members and guest hosts return to perform their signature monologues and present a look back at some of the best comedy skits and musical numbers of the past 15 years.

Saturday Night Live: 15th Anniversary

1989

Savage Dawn poster
4.4

A vicious biker gang takes over a small town in Arizona. A Vietnam War vet passing through town and a few locals with nothing to lose go to war with the gang's ruthless leader.

Savage Dawn

1985

Norm. poster
NR

A little short film Aron Fromm made about Norm.

Norm.

2026

No artwork available
2.0

"The Horror Hall of Fame II" was a television special that celebrates the history of horror by inducting another dozen movies and people.

The Horror Hall of Fame II

1991

I Am Sam Kinison poster
5.2

A feature-length documentary film exploring the life and legacy of shock comic Sam Kinison, a former Pentecostal preacher turned stand-up comic who repurposed his pulpit-honed chops to the brazen rock 'n roll world of MTV-era comedy.

I Am Sam Kinison

2017

Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh? poster
6.8

For fans of comedy, Sam Kinison needs no introduction. His scathing comedy tackled tough topics no other comedian dared to touch. Fed up and disenfranchised with his career as a Pentacostal preacher, Sam left the ministry to try his hand at comedy. Almost immediately, and thanks in part to the foresight of Rodney Dangerfield who showcased Sam on an HBO special, his piercing scream, extreme humor and irreverent take on life attracted attention. Containing rare, early footage of Sam preaching and performing stand up at the world famous Comedy Store, the Award Winning "Why Did We Laugh" tells the story of a comedic genius who touched a deeper chord in people than most entertainers. Sadly, Sam was taken from us far too early, yet leaving us with a lasting and unique legacy.

Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?

1999

Ron Jeremy: Life After the Buffet poster
6.2

Ron Jeremy is a cultural icon, known as the King of Porn. With his eccentric features that are not your typical chiseled look, somehow he is a sex guru to millions of fans, who feel if Ron can get laid, there's hope for them. Now age 60, Ron Jeremy, Life After the Buffet is an explosive film that exposes Ron in a surprising and very real way. In 2013 Ron made a different kind of headline. Death came knocking at his door when like a bolt of lightening he started experiencing pains in his chest. In this film Ron Jeremy takes us on a journey of his own spiritual awakening to understand that there is a greater power than what is here on earth.

Ron Jeremy: Life After the Buffet

2014

Bon Jovi | Access All Areas: A Rock & Roll Odyssey poster
8.0

Access All Areas: A Rock & Roll Odyssey is a documentary following rock band Bon Jovi on their successful New Jersey Syndicate Tour between 1988 and 1990. It contains live, backstage, and candid footage of the band, soundtracked with their music.

Bon Jovi | Access All Areas: A Rock & Roll Odyssey

1990

Rodney Dangerfield: Opening Night at Rodney's Place poster
7.5

Cable TV Special. Rodney Auditions for an adult movie and finds out all men are not created equal. Get ready for a wild time at Rodney's Place, with special guests Jeff Foxworthy, Tim Allen and Sam Kinison.

Rodney Dangerfield: Opening Night at Rodney's Place

1989

Sam Kinison: Family Entertainment Hour poster
5.8

Get ready to scream with laughter! Sam Kinison's primal scream will echo down through the comedy hall of fame summing up so much of modernity's horror and stupidity. This concert was taped at the Wiltern Theatre where Sam was joined with the Randy Hansen Band and a salacious slew of sinuous sirens, including his wife Malika. Join Sam Kinison and guests for a concert guaranteed to make you laugh 'til you cry for more - there's something for every member of the family - Sam Kinison style!

Sam Kinison: Family Entertainment Hour

1991

Back From Hell: A Tribute to Sam Kinison poster
6.2

Tribute to comedy great Sam Kinison

Back From Hell: A Tribute to Sam Kinison

2010

Rodney Dangerfield Hosts the 9th Annual Young Comedians Special poster
8.0

Some of the best new talent is showcased in these annual comedy specials each year. Every show is hosted by a different accomplished comedian. In 1984, the 9th year, the host was the magnificent Rodney Dangerfield.

Rodney Dangerfield Hosts the 9th Annual Young Comedians Special

1985

Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me poster
7.9

Rodney Dangerfield hosted this HBO special which includes fantastic performances by some of the best new talent of 1986. Comedians include Jeff Altman, Roseanne Barr, Sam Kinison, Bob Nelson, Jerry Seinfeld, Robert Townsend, and, of course, Rodney Dangerfield.

Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me

1986

Sam Kinison: Breaking the Rules poster
7.2

This is a great performance. Through yelling and energetic story-telling, he talks about marriage, drugs, being arrested (thanks to his ex-wife), pleasing women, religion, and much, much more.

Sam Kinison: Breaking the Rules

1987

A Tribute to Sam Kinison poster
6.8

Broadcast approximately one year after the death of Sam Kinison, this special includes tributes from those he admired and those who admired him. Includes clips from "Married with Children," "Back to School," and 2 of his HBO appearances.

A Tribute to Sam Kinison

1993

Sacred Cow Halloween Special poster
9.0

Bill Hicks and Kevin Booth take phone calls while visiting HELL for one night. Celebrating ten years of low budget indy productions by Sacred Cow productions for Austin Public Access TV.

Sacred Cow Halloween Special

1993

Sam Kinison: Banned poster
7.0

Sam Kinison live at the Felt Forum, 2/14/89. Also has opening act Carl Labove plus Sam's 3 MTV videos.

Sam Kinison: Banned

1990

No artwork available
NR

Howard Stern's U.S. Open Sores was an event that occurred at the Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York in front of a sold-out attendance of 16,000. Taking place on October 7, 1989, the main event featured a tennis match between Howard Stern and his radio show producer Gary Dell'Abate.

Howard Stern's U.S. Open Sores

1989

Guitar poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Guitar

1991

Sam Kinison: Outlaws of Comedy poster
NR

When comedian Sam Kinison was on fire, anyone in his path was wise to watch out. His genius seared foes and fans alike, transforming the serious into the seriously funny, the bizarre into the brilliantly hilarious. In this performance, one of the last before his death, Kinison skewers everything from caffeine to contraception and marriage to money, sparing no comic expense and even poking fun at himself in his pursuit of endless laughs.

Sam Kinison: Outlaws of Comedy

1990

No artwork available
8.0

In this tribute to the late comedian Sam Kinison, comedy legend Rodney Dangerfield is joined by Kinison's brother Bill as the pair introduce some of Sam's most memorable routines.

Brother Sam: A Tribute to Sam Kinison

2005

Neil Young & Crazy Horse - In a Rusted Out Garage poster
NR

Recorded at the outset of Neil Young's In A Rusted Out Garage tour in late 1986. Originally broadcast on New York's WNEW-FM in November that year.

Neil Young & Crazy Horse - In a Rusted Out Garage

1986

Sam Kinison: The Scream Continues poster
7.0

Comedy Dynamics sits down with Sam Kinison's brother, Bill, to set the record straight on the stories surrounding this legendary comedian. Including his classic performances, rare TV appearances and photos, this documentary is not to be missed by any true Sam Kinison fan! Plus, you might be surprised who else you see with Sam. He was one popular guy!

Sam Kinison: The Scream Continues

2016

Behind the camera

Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh? poster
6.8

For fans of comedy, Sam Kinison needs no introduction. His scathing comedy tackled tough topics no other comedian dared to touch. Fed up and disenfranchised with his career as a Pentacostal preacher, Sam left the ministry to try his hand at comedy. Almost immediately, and thanks in part to the foresight of Rodney Dangerfield who showcased Sam on an HBO special, his piercing scream, extreme humor and irreverent take on life attracted attention. Containing rare, early footage of Sam preaching and performing stand up at the world famous Comedy Store, the Award Winning "Why Did We Laugh" tells the story of a comedic genius who touched a deeper chord in people than most entertainers. Sadly, Sam was taken from us far too early, yet leaving us with a lasting and unique legacy.

Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?

1999

Sam Kinison: Family Entertainment Hour poster
5.8

Get ready to scream with laughter! Sam Kinison's primal scream will echo down through the comedy hall of fame summing up so much of modernity's horror and stupidity. This concert was taped at the Wiltern Theatre where Sam was joined with the Randy Hansen Band and a salacious slew of sinuous sirens, including his wife Malika. Join Sam Kinison and guests for a concert guaranteed to make you laugh 'til you cry for more - there's something for every member of the family - Sam Kinison style!

Sam Kinison: Family Entertainment Hour

1991

Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me poster
7.9

Rodney Dangerfield hosted this HBO special which includes fantastic performances by some of the best new talent of 1986. Comedians include Jeff Altman, Roseanne Barr, Sam Kinison, Bob Nelson, Jerry Seinfeld, Robert Townsend, and, of course, Rodney Dangerfield.

Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me

1986

Sam Kinison: Breaking the Rules poster
7.2

This is a great performance. Through yelling and energetic story-telling, he talks about marriage, drugs, being arrested (thanks to his ex-wife), pleasing women, religion, and much, much more.

Sam Kinison: Breaking the Rules

1987

Sam Kinison: Banned poster
7.0

Sam Kinison live at the Felt Forum, 2/14/89. Also has opening act Carl Labove plus Sam's 3 MTV videos.

Sam Kinison: Banned

1990

Sam Kinison: Banned poster
7.0

Sam Kinison live at the Felt Forum, 2/14/89. Also has opening act Carl Labove plus Sam's 3 MTV videos.

Sam Kinison: Banned

1990