Browse Movies : Development : Biography

Adaptation of Jacki Lyden's mother-daughter memoir of growing up with a mother whom everyone labeled as crazy but actually suffered from what is now known to be manic-depression. Lyden's mother often would become convinced she was a woman with power, such as the Queen of Sheba or Marie Antoinette, then act out her delusions. Her mother's escapes from reality inspired Lyden to seek a career in radio journalism, where she could "escape" to exotic places like Baghdad to cover the Persian Gulf War, among other places. Lyden's feelings of helplessness growing up, her mother's refusal to seek treatment and her mother's relationships with the opposite sex -- which, in turn, affected Lyden's relationships -- are among the complex issues explored in the film.

The story of Rose Marie “Rosemary” Kennedy, the first-born daughter to Rose Fitzgerald and Joseph Kennedy Sr. After displaying behavioral problems that caused her to fall behind the achievements of her siblings due to a mental disability that was long kept secret, Joseph Kennedy arranged one of the first prefrontal lobotomies for her when she was 23. The procedure was botched and left her permanently incapacitated.

Boxer Joe Louis becomes a symbolic figure in boxing during early global tensions leading to World War II.

A biopic based on the true story of South African-born British Olympian and former world champion athlete Precious McKenzie.

The movie will follow the quarterback's career from Bear Bryant's football program at the University of Alabama to the New York Jets of the NFL to his guarantee that his Jet would defeat the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. All this while Broadway Joe battled knee problems so bad that he was actually denied entry into the Vietnam War. Of course, he went on to win the Super Bowl and become a cultural icon.

The film will chronicle the formative years of Roosevelt as he reinvented himself from a slight and privileged New York politician with a Harvard degree to the burly commander of the Rough Riders, a track that would lead him to the New York governorship, the vice presidency and the White House, when William McKinley was assassinated.

Growing up in the Bronx as a boy, Kwame Onwuachi is sent to rural Nigeria by his mother to "learn respect." However, the hard-won knowledge gained in Africa is not enough to keep him from the temptation and easy money of the streets when he returns home. But through food, he breaks out of a dangerous downward spiral, embarks on a new beginning at the bottom of the culinary food chain as a chef on board a cleanup ship, before going on to train in the kitchens of some of the most acclaimed restaurants in the country and appear as a contestant on "Top Chef."

Mark Kerr is born in Toledo, Ohio. From early childhood, he dreams of being in the World Wrestling Federation and holds mock fights with his younger siblings in the back yard. He comes a high school state champion wrestling for Toledo Waite. Later Kerr becomes known as The Smashing Machine, The Titan and The Specimen — and is a two-time UFC heavyweight champ, and is widely regarded as the best fighter in the world during his MMA career.

A biopic about the famed paleontologist and conservationist Richard Leakey. Leaky battles with ivory poachers who threaten the existence of the African elephant population and the very soul of Africa.

Musical biopic of Nat King Cole, one of the most popular and influential musicians of all time.

Rell Sunn, a native of Oahu, is a pioneer in the big-wave world of the late 1960s as well as an expert diver, a black belt in karate and a hula dancer. She becomes known as "Queen of Makaha." Sunn establishes a surf contest for children to combat juvenile delinquency and fights breast cancer for 15 years. She dies in 1998.

Launched on cable in 1981, MTV revolutionizes music and television. The cable network starts out with a concept few think can work: watching songs on TV. But what begins as a way simply to promote record companies’ latest products becomes the music video.

This film tells the story of John Madden, a legendary NFL coach. Madden's dream was to become a head coach, and he achieved great success. However, the pressures of the job eventually took a toll on him, leading him to step away. The film focuses on his friendship with Al Davis, the owner of the Oakland Raiders, and how Madden found a new path that made him even more famous.

Focuses on the life and career of groundbreaking comedian Richard Pryor, who found unprecedented success on the stage and screen, but also suffered from drug addiction and personal problems.