B.B. King
Acting Born Sep 16, 1925 Died May 14, 2015 Itta Bena, Mississippi, USA 129 credits
Biography
Riley B. King, professionally known as B.B. King, was an American male blues guitarist and singer‑songwriter who also pursued acting. He was born on 16 September 1925 in Itta Bena, Mississippi, USA, and died on 14 May 2015 at the age of 89. In addition to his musical career, TMDB records list him as “known for” acting with a total of 128 credited appearances. He is also credited as a cast member in a 2012 film titled “B. B. King.” He is sometimes referenced under the alternate name Riley B.
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Career overview
Riley B. King, known professionally as B.B. King, was an American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter. He was recognized for his expressive singing and fluid, complex guitar playing, and Rolling Stone magazine ranked him at number three on its list of the one hundred Greatest Guitarists of All Time. In addition to his musical career, King accumulated one hundred twenty-eight known credits in the acting category according to archival data.
King was born in Itta Bena, Mississippi, USA, on September 16, 1925, and was also known as Riley B. Throughout his life and career, his work extended across films and television shows, contributing to a substantial media presence. He passed away at the age of eighty-nine on May 14, 2015.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
John Shearer: American Moments
B.B. King: The King of the blues Stuttgart - 1997
Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)Nueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York
Eric Clapton: Life in 12 BarsB.B. King: On the Road
Monochrome: Black, White & BlueMonochrome: Black, White & Blue
Soundbreaking
The Art of McCartneyJohn Mayer: Someday I'll FlyIn Performance BB King & The Guitar Legends
Born In ChicagoEric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013
B.B. King: The Life of RileyB.B. King - Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2011Louder Than Love: The Grande Ballroom Story
Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010B.B. King Standing Room Only
Soul PowerThe 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ConcertsBlues at the BBCB.B. King | LiveRock and Roll Hall of Fame Live - Whole Lotta Shakin'
Jazz EvolutionB.B. King: LiveStars and Their Guitars: A History of the Electric Guitar
Rolling With the BluesEric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007
Buddy Guy Can't Quit The Blues
The Five Keys to Mastery
Lightning in a BottleRay Charles: Genius Loves CompanyThe Story Of The BluesGenius. A Night for Ray CharlesLive Aid
SoundstageThe BluesB.B. King: In ConcertRockin' in the USAB.B. King: Live By Request
Sounds of MemphisBB King Sweet 16
B.B. King Live at Nick'sB.B. King - The Blues Sounds of B.B. KingAll Access: Front Row. Backstage. Live!Johnny Winter: Pieces & Bits
The Ten Commandments of CreativityThe Jazz Channel Presents B.B. King
Blues MastersPavarotti & Friends 99 for Guatemala and Kosovo
Blues Brothers 2000A Place of Our OwnB.B. King: Live In Africa '74
Classic AlbumsWired for Sound: A Guitar Odyssey
TFI FridayWhen We Were KingsA Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan
Baywatch NightsA Night to Die ForB.B. King: Blues Summit
Touched by an AngelNew York Undercover
Late Night with Conan O'BrienHeart and SoulsWillie Nelson: The Big Six-OB.B. King: Live At Montreux 1993Bluesland: A Portrait in American Music
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
TeechTeech · Theme Song PerformanceGarfield Gets a Life · VocalsMontreux Jazz Festival 1991Guitar
The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirAll Day and All Night: Memories from Beale Street Musicians
Full Filmography
129 titles- John Shearer: American Moments (2026) as Self (archive image)
- B.B. King: The King of the blues Stuttgart - 1997 (2022) as vocals guitar
- Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021) as Self (archive footage)
- Nueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York (2021) as Self (archive footage)
- Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars (2018) as Self (archive footage)
- B.B. King: On the Road (2018) as Himself
- Monochrome: Black, White & Blue (2017) as Self (archive footage)
- Monochrome: Black, White & Blue (2017)
- Soundbreaking (2016) as Self
- The Art of McCartney (2014) as Self
- John Mayer: Someday I'll Fly (2014) as Self
- In Performance BB King & The Guitar Legends (2014)
- Born In Chicago (2013) as Self
- Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 (2013) as Self
- B.B. King: The Life of Riley (2012) as Self
- B.B. King - Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2011 (2012) as Self
- Louder Than Love: The Grande Ballroom Story (2012) as Self
- Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010 (2010) as Self
- B.B. King Standing Room Only (2010)
- Soul Power (2009) as Self (archive footage)
- The 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concerts (2009) as Self
- Blues at the BBC (2009) as Self
- B.B. King | Live (2009) as Self
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live - Whole Lotta Shakin' (2009) as Self
- V.A. North Sea Jazz (2009) as Self
- Jazz Evolution (2008) as Self - Guitar
- B.B. King: Live (2008) as Self
- Stars and Their Guitars: A History of the Electric Guitar (2008) as Self
- Rolling With the Blues (2007) as Self (archive footage)
- Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007 (2007) as Self
- Buddy Guy Can't Quit The Blues (2006)
- The Five Keys to Mastery (2005) as Self
- Lightning in a Bottle (2004) as Self
- Ray Charles: Genius Loves Company (2004) as Self
- The Story Of The Blues (2004) as Self
- Genius. A Night for Ray Charles (2004) as Self
- Live Aid (2004) as Self
- Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival (2004) as Self
- Antone's: Home of the Blues (2004) as Performer
- Soundstage (2003) as Self
- The Blues (2003) as Self
- B.B. King: In Concert (2003) as Self
- Rockin' in the USA (2003)
- B.B. King: Live By Request (2003) as Performer
- Red, White and Blues (2003) as Self
- Bluesy Entertainment: Live (2003) as Self
- BB King Live at The Apollo (2003)
- The Road to Memphis (2003) as Self (archive footage)
- B.B. King: Live - Most Famous Hits (2003) as Self
- Johnny Winter: Live (2003) as Self
- Muddy Waters: Can't Be Satisfied (2003) as Self
- Sounds of Memphis (2002) as Self
- BB King Sweet 16 (2002) as Self
- B.B. King Live at Nick's (2001) as Self
- B.B. King - The Blues Sounds of B.B. King (2001) as Singer
- All Access: Front Row. Backstage. Live! (2001) as Self
- Johnny Winter: Pieces & Bits (2001)
- The Ten Commandments of Creativity (2000) as Self
- The Jazz Channel Presents B.B. King (2000) as Himself
- Blues Masters (1999)
- Pavarotti & Friends 99 for Guatemala and Kosovo (1999) as Self
- Blues Brothers 2000 (1998) as Malvern Gasperon
- A Place of Our Own (1998)
- B.B. King: Live In Africa '74 (1998) as Self
- Classic Albums (1997) as Self
- Wired for Sound: A Guitar Odyssey (1997) as Self
- TFI Friday (1996)
- When We Were Kings (1996) as Self
- A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan (1996) as Self
- Baywatch Nights (1995) as B.B. King
- A Night to Die For (1995) as Self
- B.B. King: Blues Summit (1995)
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as B.B. King
- New York Undercover (1994)
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) as Self - Musical Guest
- Heart and Souls (1993) as Himself
- Willie Nelson: The Big Six-O (1993) as Self
- B.B. King: Live At Montreux 1993 (1993) as Self
- Bluesland: A Portrait in American Music (1993) as Self
- Gary Moore: Live Blues (1993) as Guitar, Vocals
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992)
- Teech (1991) as Uncle Isaac
- Teech (1991) Theme Song Performance
- Garfield Gets a Life (1991) Vocals
- Montreux Jazz Festival 1991 (1991) as Self
- Guitar (1991) as Self
- Guitar Legends EXPO '92 at Sevilla - The Blues Night (1991) as Himself
- The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990) as Pappy
- All Day and All Night: Memories from Beale Street Musicians (1990) as Self
- Booker (1989)
- Big World Cafe (1989)
- U2: Lovetown (1989) as Self
- Legends of Rock 'n' Roll (1989) as B.B. King
- Albert King & B.B. King: Japan Blues Carnival (1989) as Himself
- U2: Rattle and Hum (1988) as Self
- Married... with Children (1987) as Street Singer
- Amazon Women on the Moon (1987) as B.B. King (segment "Blacks Without Soul")
- B.B. King & Friends (1987) as Self
- Spies Like Us (1985) as Ace Tomato Agent
- Live Aid (1985) as Self
- B.B. King: Into the Night (1985) as Self
- The Cosby Show (1984) as Riley Jackson
- Christmas in Washington (1982) as Self
- B.B. King - Austin City Limits 1982 (1982) as Musician - guitar, vocals
- America's Top 10 (1980) as Self
- The Kennedy Center Honors (1978) as Self
- Good Mornin’ Blues (1978) as Host
- Give My Poor Heart Ease (1975) as Self
- Sing Sing Thanksgiving (1974) as Self
- The Blues Under the Skin (1973) as Self
- George Carlin: The Real George Carlin (1973) as Self
- Sanford and Son (1972)
- The Midnight Special (1972) as Self
- Sing Sing Thanksgiving (1972) as Self
- Great Performances (1971) as Self
- The Pearl Bailey Show (1971) as Self
- Medicine Ball Caravan (1971) as Self
- The Flip Wilson Show (1970) as Self
- The Barbara McNair Show (1969) as Self
- Black Woodstock (1969) as Self
- The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
- Wake at Generation (1968) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self - Musical Guest
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self (archive footage)
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- The Grammys (1959) as Self
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- B.B. King: Live at the Woodlands
- B.B. King & Raimundo Amador Live as Himself
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is B.B. King best known for?
B.B. King is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Rum Runners (1971), Sun's Daughters (2015), Blues Brothers 2000 (1998), A Chinese Ghost Story III (1991).
When and where was B.B. King born?
B.B. King was born on September 16, 1925 in Itta Bena, Mississippi, USA. They passed away on May 14, 2015.
How many credits does B.B. King have?
B.B. King has accumulated over 129 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1948 to 2026.
What is B.B. King's background in cinema and television?
Riley B. King, professionally known as B.B. King, was an American male blues guitarist and singer‑songwriter who also pursued acting. He was born on 16 September 1925 in Itta Bena, Mississippi, USA, and died on 14 May 2015 at the age of 89. In addition to his musical career, TMDB records list him as “known for” acting ...
B.B. King by the numbers
129credits
95films
34TV series
1948–2026active years
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Grammys (1959) as Self — aged about 33
- Teech (1991) as Uncle Isaac — aged about 65
- The Midnight Special (1972) as Self — aged about 46
- Black Woodstock (1969) as Self — aged about 43
- The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990) as Pappy — aged about 64
- Live Aid (1985) as Self — aged about 59
Full filmography (129) Born on September 16 In memoriam 2015
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