Bonnie Raitt
Biography
Bonnie Lynn Raitt is an American blues singer-songwriter, musician, and activist born on November 8, 1949, in Burbank, California. Her mother, Marge Goddard, was a pianist, and her father, John Raitt, was a professional actor and singer in musicals. During the 1970s, she released roots-influenced albums incorporating elements of blues, rock, folk, and country. After years of critical acclaim, she achieved major commercial success with her 1989 album Nick of Time. Her subsequent albums, Luck of the Draw in 1991 and Longing in Their Hearts in 1994, were multimillion sellers and generated hit singles such as Something to Talk About, Love Sneakin' Up on You, and the ballad I Can't Make You Love Me featuring Bruce Hornsby on piano. She has received multiple Grammy Awards throughout her career.
Career overview
Bonnie Lynn Raitt was born on November 8, 1949, in Burbank, California. Her mother, Marge Goddard, was a pianist, and her father, John Raitt, was a professional actor and singer in musicals, including the original Broadway productions. Influenced by blues, rock, folk, and country, Bonnie Raitt began performing in clubs on the east coast with a blues repertoire in 1967.
During the 1970s, Raitt released a series of roots-influenced albums that incorporated elements of blues, rock, folk, and country. After several years of critical acclaim but little commercial success, she achieved a major hit in 1989 with the album Nick of Time. The following two albums, Luck of the Draw in 1991 and Longing in Their Hearts in 1994, were multimillion sellers that generated several hit singles, including Something to Talk About, Love Sneakin' Up on You, and the ballad I Can't Make You Love Me, which featured Bruce Hornsby on piano.
Raitt has received multiple Grammy Awards throughout her career, winning her 11th, 12th, and 13th Grammys in 2023. Her career as a blues singer-songwriter, musician, and activist spans decades, reflecting her lasting passion and perseverance as an artist.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
97 titles- SNL50: The Homecoming Concert (2025) as Self
- Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery (2025) as Self
- You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine (2025) as Self
- Heartbreakers at the BBC (2023) as Self (archive footage)
- The 9 Lives of Barbara Dane (2023) as Herself
- Feast Your Ears: The Story of WHFS 102.3 FM (2023) as Performer
- Fanny: The Right to Rock (2021) as Self
- Anne Murray: Full Circle (2021) as Self
- Laurel Canyon (2020) as Self
- Chuck Leavell: The Tree Man (2020) as Self
- Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2019 (2020) as Self
- Picture Show: A Tribute Celebrating John Prine (2020) as Self
- The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019) as Self
- ReMastered: Devil at the Crossroads (2019) as Self
- Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice (2019) as Self
- John Lee Hooker: The Boogie Man (2019) as Self
- Mark Knopfler: Live at Madison Square Garden 2019 (2019) as guitars, vocals
- Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame: In Concert 2014-2017 (2018) as Self
- Monochrome: Black, White & Blue (2017) as Self
- Roy Orbison: Black and White Night 30 (2017) as Self
- Soundbreaking (2016) as Self
- Greatest Hits (2016) as Self
- Sidemen: Long Road To Glory (2016)
- Road to Austin (2016) as Self
- Shake 'Em On Down (2016) as Herself
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015) as Self - Musical Guest
- Mavis! (2015) as Self
- Led Zeppelin Played Here (2014) as Self (archive footage)
- This Ain't No Mouse Music! (2014) as Self
- Austin City Limits Celebrates 40 Years (2014) as Self - Performer
- B.B. King: The Life of Riley (2012) as Self
- Who Bombed Judi Bari? (2012) as Self (archive footage)
- Troubadours (2011) as Self
- I'm Still Here (2010) Thanks
- Les Paul - Live in New York (2010) as Self
- Saint Misbehavin': The Wavy Gravy Movie (2010) as Self
- The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien (2009) as Self - Musical Guest
- The 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concerts (2009) as Self
- The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1977 (2007)
- Before the Music Dies (2006) as Self - Musician
- The New Orleans Concert: The Music of America's Soul (2006) as Self
- A MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute Honoring James Taylor (2006) as Self
- The Colbert Report (2005)
- Trudell (2005) as Self - Musician, Activist
- Make It Funky! (2005) as Self
- Bonnie Raitt and Friends - Live at Decades Rock Live! (2005)
- Lightning in a Bottle (2004) as Self
- Genius. A Night for Ray Charles (2004) as Self
- John Lee Hooker: Come and See About Me (2004) as Self
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self - Musical Guest
- The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003) as Self
- The Blues (2003) as Self
- Can't Buy Me Lunch: Another Look at The Rutles (2003) as Self - Interviewee
- The Soul of a Man (2003) as Self
- Muddy Waters: Can't Be Satisfied (2003) as Self
- CMT Crossroads (2002) as Self
- The Country Bears (2002) as Self
- Last Party 2000 (2001) as Self
- John Lee Hooker - That's My Story (2001)
- Raitt, Browne, Colvin, Hornsby, Lindley & Ingram - Red Rocks, Denver - Sept.12, 1999 (1999) as Self - vocals, guitar
- Motown 40: The Music Is Forever (1998) as Self
- Behind the Music (1997) as Self
- Bonnie Raitt: Road Tested (1996) as Self
- A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan (1996) as Self
- Bonnie Raitt Has Something to Talk About (1995) as Self
- Ellen (1994) as Bonnie Raitt
- Late Show with David Letterman (1993) as Self - Musical Guest
- Frasier (1993) as Denise (voice)
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) as Self - Musical Guest
- Aretha Franklin: Duets (1993) as Self
- Curves Contours & Body Horns (1993) as Self
- Willie Nelson: The Big Six-O (1993) as Self
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992)
- Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories (1992) as Narrator (voice)
- John Lee Hooker and Friends 1984-1992 (1992)
- The Changer: A Record of the Times (1991) as Self
- Geld oder Liebe (1989) as Self
- Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night (1988) as Self - Backing Vocals
- The Arlo Guthrie Show (1987) as Self
- Women in Rock (1986) as Self
- Late Night with David Letterman (1982) as Self - Musical Guest
- Fridays (1980) as Self - Musical Guest
- Urban Cowboy (1980) as Herself
- No Nukes (1980) as Self
- CBS News Sunday Morning (1979) as Self
- The Kennedy Center Honors (1978) as Self - Honoree
- Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978) as Our Guests at Heartland
- Bonnie Raitt Live at Montreax (1977)
- The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1977 (1977) as Self
- Austin City Limits (1975) as Self
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Musical Guest
- The Old Grey Whistle Test (1971) as self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- The Grammys (1959) as Self
- Del Shannon: The Runaway
- The Wild West Bank Sound as Self - Musician
- Playback Social Entrepreneurs: Climate Change, COVID, and Commerce
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Bonnie Raitt best known for?
Bonnie Raitt is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including SNL50: The Homecoming Concert (2025), The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019), Rum Runners (1971), The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015).
When and where was Bonnie Raitt born?
Bonnie Raitt was born on November 8, 1949 in Burbank, California, USA.
How many credits does Bonnie Raitt have?
Bonnie Raitt has accumulated over 97 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1959 to 2025.
What is Bonnie Raitt's background in cinema and television?
Bonnie Lynn Raitt is an American blues singer-songwriter, musician, and activist born on November 8, 1949, in Burbank, California. Her mother, Marge Goddard, was a pianist, and her father, John Raitt, was a professional actor and singer in musicals. During the 1970s, she released roots-influenced albums incorporating e...
Bonnie Raitt by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Grammys (1959) as Self — aged about 9
- The Old Grey Whistle Test (1971) as self — aged about 21
- CMT Crossroads (2002) as Self — aged about 52
- Soundbreaking (2016) as Self — aged about 66
- Frasier (1993) as Denise (voice) — aged about 43
- The Kennedy Center Honors (1978) as Self - Honoree — aged about 28
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