Duke Ellington
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- April 29, 1899 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Died
- May 24, 1974
- Active Years
- 1929–2026 (98 Years)
- Total Credits
- 98 credits in database
Biography
Edward Kennedy Duke Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and leader of a jazz orchestra. Born in Washington, District of Columbia, on April 29, 1899, he was based in New York City from the mid-1920s. He gained a national profile through his orchestra's appearances at the Cotton Club in Harlem, where he worked with performers such as the Nicholas Brothers. Ellington, who was also known as Ed, had 95 known credits in his career. He provided the music for the film Anatomy of a Murder, which was directed by Otto Preminger. Duke Ellington died on May 24, 1974, at the age of 75. He led his jazz orchestra from 1923 through the remainder of his life.
Career overview
Edward Kennedy Duke Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and leader of a jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life. Born in Washington, District of Columbia, on April 29, 1899, Ellington was based in New York City from the mid-1920s. He gained a national profile through his orchestra's appearances at the Cotton Club in Harlem. During this time, the Cotton Club featured performances by the Nicholas Brothers, who worked with the orchestras of Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Lucky Millinder, and Jimmy Lunceford.
In addition to his work with his jazz orchestra, Ellington provided the music for the film Anatomy of a Murder, which was directed and produced by Otto Preminger, starred James Stewart, and was distributed by Columbia. Throughout his career, Ellington accumulated 95 known credits in the acting category. He passed away on May 24, 1974, at the age of 75.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
98 titles- Only the Dead Know Brooklyn (2026) Music
- Only the Dead Know Brooklyn (2026) Musician
- Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat (2024) as Self (archive footage)
- I Can't Give You Anything But Love: The Jimmy McHugh Story (2024) as Self (archive footage)
- Steve e il Duca (2024) as Self (archival)
- Charlie Parker: Bird Songs (2022) as Self (archive footage)
- Duke Ellington in Isfahan (2021) as Self (archive footage)
- The Apollo (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- The Green Book: Guide to Freedom (2019) as Self - Musician (archive footage)
- Duke Ellington and his Orchestra - Live (2019) as Himself
- The Jazz Ambassadors (2018) as Self (archive footage)
- Duke Ellington & Sarah Vaughan Live At The Berlin Philharmonic Hall 1989 (2014) as Self
- Concerto Ellington-Marsalis (2014) Music
- Jazz Legends in Their Own Words (2014) as Self (archive footage)
- So Long (2012) Original Music Composer
- The Bankbus (2010) Music
- Jazz Evolution (2008) as Self - Piano
- Alice Babs - Swing It! (2007) as Himself (archive footage)
- Jazz Icons: Duke Ellington Live in '58 (2007) as Self - Piano
- Duke Ellington: The Big Band Feeling (2005) as Self
- Billie Holiday: The Ultimate Collection (2005) as Himself
- Improvisation (2004) as Self
- The Harlem Renaissance (2004) as Self (archive footage)
- The Story Of The Blues (2004) as Self
- The Intimate Duke Ellington (2003) as Self
- Piano Blues (2003) as Self (archive footage)
- Duke Ellington: Live At The Tivoli Gardens (2003) as Self
- It's Black Entertainment (2002) as Self (archive footage)
- Jazz (2001) as Self (archive footage)
- Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1929-1943 (2000) as Self
- Nutcracker Sweeties (1997) Music
- The Very Best of The Ed Sullivan Show (Vol. 1) (1991)
- The Lou Rawls Show with Duke Ellington (1991) as Self
- Misanthrope (1987) Original Music Composer
- Moments without Proper Names (1987) as Self (archive footage)
- Sophisticated Ladies (1982) Musical
- The War of the Infras (1978) Music
- The Turning Point (1977) Music
- Black Shadows on a Silver Screen (1975) as Self (archive footage)
- On the Road with Duke Ellington (1974) as Self
- On the Road with Duke Ellington (1974) Music
- Le Grand Échiquier (1972) as Self
- Duke Ellington Orchestra @ Berliner Jazztage 1969 (1969) as Self
- Change of Mind (1969) Original Music Composer
- The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
- Duke Ellington: Love You Madly (1967) as Self
- NET Playhouse (1966) as Self
- Assault on a Queen (1966) Original Music Composer
- The Strolling '20s (1966) as Self
- The First World Festival of Negro Arts (1966) as Himself
- Duke Ellington at the Côte d'Azur with Ella Fitzgerald and Joan Miro (1966) as Self
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- The Asphalt Jungle (1961) Music
- Paris Blues (1961) Original Music Composer
- Discorama (1959) as Self (archive footage)
- The Bell Telephone Hour (1959) as Self
- Anatomy of a Murder (1959) as Pie Eye (uncredited)
- Anatomy of a Murder (1959) Original Music Composer
- A Smattering of Spots (1958) Music
- Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957) as Self
- Aktuelle Schaubude (1957) as Self
- Daybreak Express (1957) Music
- The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self - Guest
- Jazz Ball (1956) as Self (archive footage)
- Mood Indigo (1952) as Self
- Solitude (1952) as Self
- Sophisticated Lady (1952) as Self
- German Film Award (1951) as Self
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self
- Salute to Duke Ellington (1950)
- Symphony In Swing (1949)
- Bambi (1948) as Self
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- Date with Duke (1947) as Self
- The Vampire (1945) Music
- Cabin in the Sky (1943) as Duke Ellington (uncredited)
- Cabin in the Sky (1943) Music
- Reveille with Beverly (1943) as Duke - Duke Ellington and His Orchestra (uncredited)
- Duke Ellington and His Orchestra (1943)
- Jam Session (1942) as Self - Piano
- Bli-Blip (1942) as Himself
- I Got It Bad & That Ain't Good (1942)
- Flamingo (1942)
- Hot Chocolate (1941) as Self (uncredited)
- Birth of the Blues (1941) as Self (archive footage)
- The Hit Parade (1937) as Duke Ellington
- Symphony in Black: A Rhapsody of Negro Life (1935) as Self
- Symphony in Black: A Rhapsody of Negro Life (1935) Original Music Composer
- Hollywood on Parade No. B-10 (1934) as Self
- Belle of the Nineties (1934) as Piano Player
- Murder at the Vanities (1934) as Duke Ellington
- Many Happy Returns (1934) as Piano Player (uncredited)
- Masks and Memories (1934) Songs
- A Bundle of Blues (1933) as Self
- Check and Double Check (1930) as Orchestra Leader
- Black and Tan (1929) as Duke Ellington
- What's Happening as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Duke Ellington best known for?
Duke Ellington is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat (2024), The Harlem Renaissance (2004), Jazz (2001), The Turning Point (1977).
When and where was Duke Ellington born?
Duke Ellington was born on April 29, 1899 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. They passed away on May 24, 1974.
How many credits does Duke Ellington have?
Duke Ellington has accumulated over 98 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1929 to 2026.
What is Duke Ellington's background in cinema and television?
Edward Kennedy Duke Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and leader of a jazz orchestra. Born in Washington, District of Columbia, on April 29, 1899, he was based in New York City from the mid-1920s. He gained a national profile through his orchestra's appearances at the Cotton Club in Harlem, where he worked w...
Duke Ellington by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Bambi (1948) as Self — aged about 49
- Le Grand Échiquier (1972) as Self — aged about 73
- The Bell Telephone Hour (1959) as Self — aged about 60
- Aktuelle Schaubude (1957) as Self — aged about 58
- Anatomy of a Murder (1959) as Pie Eye (uncredited) — aged about 60
- Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat (2024) as Self (archive footage) — aged about 125
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