Biography(1987)

Biography is a documentary television series that profiles the lives of notable figures across history, entertainment, and culture. Originally produced for CBS by David Wolper and hosted by Mike Wallace from 1961 to 1964, the half-hour series examined historical personalities like Helen Keller and Mark Twain alongside entertainment icons such as Will Rogers and John Barrymore. When A&E Network acquired the rights, it expanded the format and launched new episodes beginning in 1987, shifting focus to twentieth-century celebrities including Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury, and Queen Elizabeth II. The series also ventured into cultural icons and fictional characters, profiling everyone from Selena and Diego Rivera to Superman and Betty Boop. Biography's success led A&E to establish an entire dedicated network, The Biography Channel, in 1999.