Ed Sullivan

Acting

Ed Sullivan

Born — Died

1901-09-28 — 1974-10-13

Place of birth

Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Known for

Acting

Credits

63 titles

Edward Vincent Sullivan (September 28, 1901 – October 13, 1974) was an American television personality, impresario, sports and entertainment reporter, and syndicated columnist for the New York Daily News and the Chicago Tribune New York News Syndicate. He was the creator and host of the television variety program called The Ed Sullivan Show, which ran from 1948 to 1971, setting a record as the longest-running variety show in U.S. broadcast history.

Known for

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson poster
7.6

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992. It originally aired during late-night. For its first ten years, Carson's Tonight Show was based in New York City with occasional trips to Burbank, California; in May 1972, the show moved permanently to Burbank, California. In 2002, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was ranked #12 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962

What's My Line? poster
7.0

Four panelists must determine guests' occupations - and, in the case of famous guests, while blindfolded, their identity - by asking only "yes" or "no" questions.

What's My Line?

1950

The Red Skelton Show poster
7.4

The Red Skelton Show is an American variety show that was a television staple for two decades, from 1951 to 1971. It was second to Gunsmoke and third to The Ed Sullivan Show in the ratings during that time. Skelton, who had previously been a radio star, had appeared in several motion pictures as well. Although his television series is largely associated with CBS, where it appeared for more than fifteen years, it actually began and ended on NBC. During its run, the program received three Emmy Awards, for Skelton as best comedian and the program as best comedy show during its initial season, and an award for comedy writing in 1961.

The Red Skelton Show

1951

The Ed Sullivan Show poster
6.8

The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948 to Sunday June 6, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. It was replaced in September 1971 by the CBS Sunday Night Movie, which ran only one season and was eventually replaced by other shows. In 2002, The Ed Sullivan Show was ranked #15 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.

The Ed Sullivan Show

1948

Miss USA poster
6.0

The Miss USA Pageant is a beauty contest that has been held annually since 1952 to select the United States entrant in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization operates both pageants, as well as Miss Teen USA.

Miss USA

1963

The Flip Wilson Show poster
5.1

The Flip Wilson Show is an hour long variety show that aired in the U.S. on NBC from September 17, 1970 to June 27, 1974. The show starred American comedian Flip Wilson; the program was one of the first American television programs starring a black person in the title role to become highly successful with a white audience. Specifically, it was the first successful network variety series starring an African American. During its first two seasons, its Nielsen ratings made it the nation's second most watched show. The show consisted of many skits over an hour. It also broke new ground in American television by using a 'Theatre-in-the-Round' stage format, with the audience seated on all sides of a circular performance area. Wilson was most famous for creating the role of Geraldine Jones, a sassy, modern woman who had a boyfriend named Killer. Flip also created the role of Reverend Leroy, who was the minister of the Church of What's Happening Now!. New parishioners were wary of coming to the church as it was hinted that Reverend Leroy was a con artist. Wilson popularized such catchphrases as "What you see is what you get", and "The devil made me do it!".

The Flip Wilson Show

1970

Film credits

2020s · 10 titles

Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues poster
6.6

Never-before-heard personal recordings and archival footage tell the story of Louis Armstrong's life from his perspective. From musical phenom to civil rights activist to world-renowned artist, this illuminating film shows sides of Armstrong few have seen.

Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues

2022

Jim Henson Idea Man poster
7.8

Featuring unprecedented access to Jim Henson's personal archives, filmmaker Ron Howard brings us a fascinating and insightful look at a complex man whose boundless imagination inspired the world.

Jim Henson Idea Man

2024

The Beach Boys poster
6.6

A celebration of the legendary band that revolutionized pop music, and the iconic, harmonious sound they created that personified the California dream, captivating fans for generations and generations to come.

The Beach Boys

2024

SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) poster
7.1

An examination of the life and legacy of Sly & The Family Stone – the groundbreaking band led by the charismatic Sly Stone – that captures the band's reign while shedding light on the burden that comes with success for Black artists in America.

SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)

2025

Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan poster
6.9

Ed Sullivan broke barriers by booking Black artists on his Sunday night variety show. This documentary spotlights the TV pioneer's legacy of equality.

Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan

2023

Beatles '64 poster
6.6

Featuring never-before-seen footage of the band and the legions of young fans who helped fuel their ascendance, follow McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Starr as they land in New York City in February 1964 and solidify their status as the biggest band in the world.

Beatles '64

2024

Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story poster
7.7

Rich with archival gems and Liza Minnelli’s own point of view, Bruce David Klein's luminous documentary celebrates a young entertainer full of boundless raw talent and the deep, creative relationships with her mentors and influences.

Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story

2025

Say Hey, Willie Mays! poster
6.0

Follow Willie Mays’ life both on and off the field over five decades as he navigated the American sports landscape and the country’s ever-evolving cultural backdrop, all while helping to define what it means to be one of America’s first Black sports superstars. He left an indelible mark in New York City and San Francisco, building a love affair with both cities’ fans.

Say Hey, Willie Mays!

2022

Sœur Sourire: Who Killed the Voice of God? poster
6.3

1962. A crystalline voice becomes a planetary tube. A Belgian nun jostles Elvis and the Beatles on the world charts. Her name: Sister Smile. A popstar with the trajectory of a comet who understands her success no more than the double meaning of her words… The harder the fall will be. Even God does not protect sharks' appetites or pretenses of success! Who killed the little voice of God? Here is the tragic story of an innocent voice, of an extraordinary fate, almost of a curse ...

Sœur Sourire: Who Killed the Voice of God?

2021

I Can't Give You Anything But Love: The Jimmy McHugh Story poster
NR

An aspiring singer is tasked with promoting the music catalogue of his great-grandfather, the famous songwriter Jimmy McHugh, recorded by everyone from Sinatra to Lady Gaga. While licensing these songs for movies, commercials, TV and Broadway shows, the singer journeys through the magic of his great-grandfather's stellar career.

I Can't Give You Anything But Love: The Jimmy McHugh Story

2024

2010s · 3 titles

2000s · 10 titles

Muppets Magic from 'The Ed Sullivan Show!' poster
8.5

Long before America came to appreciate the talents of Jim Henson and his brilliant creations, The Muppets, Ed Sullivan had the foresight to identify with Henson's enormous creativity and provide him an opportunity to introduce his unique characters to the American public. With Henson's first appearance on September 18, 1966, The Muppets began to capture America's imagination, breaking down our old conceptions of what could be done with puppetry, challenging us to embrace these creatures as living and thinking beings. Not only does this program introduce us to Kermit, we can also see the beginnings of other Henson characters we've come to know and love, including reindeer discussing Christmas deliveries, singing cows, a monster engulfing a computer, and Kermit swallowing a worm. The charm and warmth that captured children and adults when these inventive segments first aired are just as powerful and compelling today. As you will see... The Muppets' charm and lore are timeless!

Muppets Magic from 'The Ed Sullivan Show!'

2003

Elvis: King of Entertainment poster
7.0

This retrospective of Elvis Presley's life and career uses excerpts from his performances and interviews to chronicle how the swivel-hipped young man from Tupelo, Miss., rose from poverty to become an American icon. The documentary also includes archival footage of Elvis on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and other TV appearances, clips from his Army days and film of his wedding to paint an extensive portrait of the King's public and personal lives.

Elvis: King of Entertainment

2002

The Rolling Stones: Fade Away - The US TV Appearances 1964-1969 poster
NR

This DVD is a compilation of all US television performances between 1964 and 1969, including their guest spots on Shivaree, Shindig and all the legendary Ed Sullivan Show appearances.

The Rolling Stones: Fade Away - The US TV Appearances 1964-1969

2008

The Three Stooges Funniest Moments - Volume II poster
NR

These rare glimpses of Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly-Joe DeRita in color were shot in 1965 as live-action scenes for The New Three Stooges cartoon, representing the team at the peak of its popularity. You'll see Moe at his exasperated best as a short-tempered chef, a cold-hearted ice cream salesman, an aspiring dentist (with Curly-Joe in drag in as his nurse and Larry as his impatient patient). as "Dr. Ben Crazy." They also appear as clueless campers facing an escaped lion, sappy sailors and soldiers, addle-brained actors, timid test pilots, moronic magicians, over-eager electricians, witless waiters and horseless cowboys..

The Three Stooges Funniest Moments - Volume II

2001

Great Broadway Musical Moments from the Ed Sullivan Show poster
NR

Relive the dazzling show stopping songs, dances and production numbers from some of your favorite Broadway musicals. Great Broadway Musical Moments from The Ed Sullivan Show brings you legendary musical entertainment performed by a galaxy of great Broadway stars like Ethel Merman in "Annie Get Your Gun," John Raitt in "Oklahoma!," Julie Andrews in "Camelot," and more! This exciting event includes exclusive interviews with legends Shirley Jones, Joel Grey, and Rex Reed.

Great Broadway Musical Moments from the Ed Sullivan Show

2003

The Definitive Elvis: The Television Years poster
5.2

"The Television Years" examines the events that took place in the years between 1956 and 1960, in which Elvis Presley excited a whole nation as the "King of Rock and Roll" in the big television shows of the time. One highlight of this time periode was Elvis' 1960 combeback hosted by Frank Sinatra, which marked his first appearance on televison after his two-year stay in the army.

The Definitive Elvis: The Television Years

2002

Ed Sullivan Presents: Rock 'N' Roll Revolution: The British Invade America, America Fights Back poster
NR

In the 60's, the British Invasion sparked a cultural change in rock 'n' roll and America fights back. Hosts Michelle Phillips and Graham Nash chronicle cutting edge performances on The Ed Sullivan Show and interviews from the musicians themselves.

Ed Sullivan Presents: Rock 'N' Roll Revolution: The British Invade America, America Fights Back

2003

Rock 'N' Roll Forever: Ed Sullivan's Greatest Hits poster
NR

15 complete performances that were filmed when these bands played live on The Ed Sullivan Show. Michelle Phillips of The Mamas and Papas narrates between songs and shows still photographs or film clips of these band members as they are interviewed by Ed or others.

Rock 'N' Roll Forever: Ed Sullivan's Greatest Hits

2005

Ed Sullivan's Rock 'N' Roll Classics: Rockin' the Sixties poster
10.0

A collection of some of the best performances from 'The Ed Sullivan Show' focusing particularly on the great rock acts from the sixties including The Beatles, The Beach Boys and The Doors.

Ed Sullivan's Rock 'N' Roll Classics: Rockin' the Sixties

2005

Ed Sullivan's Rock & Roll Classics-Elvis & Other Rock Greats Vol. 4 poster
NR

This compilation is comprised of a series of musical performances by some of the greatest names in rock history including a half-dozen appearances by Elvis Presley as well as songs by The Beatles, Sly & the Family Stone, and "The Killer" Jerry Lee Lewis.

Ed Sullivan's Rock & Roll Classics-Elvis & Other Rock Greats Vol. 4

2003

1990s · 5 titles

1970s · 7 titles

1960s · 5 titles

1950s · 3 titles

1930s · 4 titles

Hollywood Goes to Town poster
7.0

This short shows how Hollywood gets ready for the world premiere of an "important" movie. The film celebrated here is Marie Antoinette (1938), which had its premiere at the Carthay Circle Theatre. We see the street leading to the theatre transformed to suggest a garden that might be seen in a French palace. This includes the placement of trees and other foliage, as well as large statues along the route. Grandstands are set up so fans can see their favorite stars as they arrive for the premiere. Finally, the proverbial "galaxy of stars" arrives in their limousines. Fanny Brice and Pete Smith make remarks at the microphone set up on the carpet outside the theatre.

Hollywood Goes to Town

1938

Big Town Czar poster
7.0

When gangster Phil Daley gets rid of his chief Paul Burgess he has everything that money can buy, except the respect of his parents and his sweetheart Susan Warren. His younger brother Danny quits college and forces Phil to make him part of the gang. The overly-ambitious Danny fixes a prize-fight on which rival gang-leader Mike Luger loses heavily and, thinking that Phil has double-crossed him, sends gunmen out to kill Phil. They kill Danny instead and the frightened Phil flees to a country hideout. His chief lieutenant, Sid Travis, sets a trap for Phil when he returns.

Big Town Czar

1939

Mr. Broadway poster
9.0

Ed Sullivan shows night spots all over New York in this movie, joking and listening to stories the patrons tell.

Mr. Broadway

1933

No artwork available
9.0

Columnist Ed Sullivan presents vaudeville performers.

Ed Sullivan's Headliners

1934

Series credits

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson poster
7.6

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992. It originally aired during late-night. For its first ten years, Carson's Tonight Show was based in New York City with occasional trips to Burbank, California; in May 1972, the show moved permanently to Burbank, California. In 2002, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was ranked #12 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962

What's My Line? poster
7.0

Four panelists must determine guests' occupations - and, in the case of famous guests, while blindfolded, their identity - by asking only "yes" or "no" questions.

What's My Line?

1950

The Red Skelton Show poster
7.4

The Red Skelton Show is an American variety show that was a television staple for two decades, from 1951 to 1971. It was second to Gunsmoke and third to The Ed Sullivan Show in the ratings during that time. Skelton, who had previously been a radio star, had appeared in several motion pictures as well. Although his television series is largely associated with CBS, where it appeared for more than fifteen years, it actually began and ended on NBC. During its run, the program received three Emmy Awards, for Skelton as best comedian and the program as best comedy show during its initial season, and an award for comedy writing in 1961.

The Red Skelton Show

1951

The Ed Sullivan Show poster
6.8

The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948 to Sunday June 6, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. It was replaced in September 1971 by the CBS Sunday Night Movie, which ran only one season and was eventually replaced by other shows. In 2002, The Ed Sullivan Show was ranked #15 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.

The Ed Sullivan Show

1948

Miss USA poster
6.0

The Miss USA Pageant is a beauty contest that has been held annually since 1952 to select the United States entrant in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization operates both pageants, as well as Miss Teen USA.

Miss USA

1963

The Flip Wilson Show poster
5.1

The Flip Wilson Show is an hour long variety show that aired in the U.S. on NBC from September 17, 1970 to June 27, 1974. The show starred American comedian Flip Wilson; the program was one of the first American television programs starring a black person in the title role to become highly successful with a white audience. Specifically, it was the first successful network variety series starring an African American. During its first two seasons, its Nielsen ratings made it the nation's second most watched show. The show consisted of many skits over an hour. It also broke new ground in American television by using a 'Theatre-in-the-Round' stage format, with the audience seated on all sides of a circular performance area. Wilson was most famous for creating the role of Geraldine Jones, a sassy, modern woman who had a boyfriend named Killer. Flip also created the role of Reverend Leroy, who was the minister of the Church of What's Happening Now!. New parishioners were wary of coming to the church as it was hinted that Reverend Leroy was a con artist. Wilson popularized such catchphrases as "What you see is what you get", and "The devil made me do it!".

The Flip Wilson Show

1970

The Phil Silvers Show poster
7.1

The Phil Silvers Show, originally titled You'll Never Get Rich, was a sitcom which ran on CBS from 1955 to 1959 for 142 episodes, plus a 1959 special. The series starred Phil Silvers as Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko of the United States Army. The series was created and largely written by Nat Hiken, and won three consecutive Emmy Awards for Best Comedy Series. The show is sometimes titled Sergeant Bilko or simply Bilko in reruns, and is very often referred to by these names, both on-screen and by viewers. The show's success transformed Silvers from a journeyman comedian into a star, and writer-producer Hiken from a highly-regarded behind-the-scenes comedy writer into a publicly recognized creator.

The Phil Silvers Show

1955

Kraft Music Hall poster
5.4

Kraft Music Hall is an umbrella title for several television series aired by NBC in the United States from the 1950s to the 1970s in the musical variety genre, sponsored by Kraft Foods, the producers of a well-known line of cheeses and related dairy products. Their commercials were usually announced by "The Voice of Kraft", Ed Herlihy.

Kraft Music Hall

1958

The Jack Benny Program poster
7.8

Laugh along with funnyman Jack Benny as he brings his underplayed humor to TV along with regular performers from his radio show days.

The Jack Benny Program

1950

The Emmy Awards poster
7.9

An annual awards ceremony honoring the best in U.S. prime time television programming as chosen by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

The Emmy Awards

1949

General Electric Theater poster
6.8

General Electric Theater is an American anthology series hosted by Ronald Reagan that was broadcast on CBS radio and television. The series was sponsored by General Electric's Department of Public Relations.

General Electric Theater

1953

Elvis Presley: The Searcher poster
7.6

The story of Elvis Presley the musical artist, a comprehensive creative journey from his childhood through the final 1976 Jungle Room recording sessions.

Elvis Presley: The Searcher

2018

Ed Sullivan's Rock 'N' Roll Classics poster
NR

Experience the excitement of some of the greatest Pop, Rock and Soul artists that aired on The Ed Sullivan Show in one of the most comprehensive collections ever produced.

Ed Sullivan's Rock 'N' Roll Classics

1999

Behind the camera