Frank Zappa
Acting Born Dec 21, 1940 Died Dec 4, 1993 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. 184 credits
Biography
Frank Zappa works in acting. Born December 21, 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.. Died December 4, 1993. Archytele tracks 184 screen credits across canonical film and television databases.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL MusicNova '78Marc-André Hamelin @ Ruhr Piano Festival 2025 · MusicFrank Zappa: Cheaper Than CheepFrank Zappa: Cheaper Than Cheep · Songs
The Residents - A Documentary · CompositorFrank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention: Live at Whisky a Go Go 1968Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention: Live at Whisky a Go Go 1968 · Music
Cover Your Ears
Steve Vai - His First 30 Years: The DocumentaryRock this Town
The Velvet UndergroundKalvøyafestivalen - 50 år siden første riffThe Art of DissentLarry Flynt for PresidentClassic Albums: Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention - Freak Out!
Laurel CanyonZappaZappa · Music
Stupor Mundi: Book 3, The Most Dangerous EncounterManson: Music from an Unsound MindEcho in the CanyonLinda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice
Take Your PillsMarian Briozzo
Stupor Mundi: Livre 1, Rituel de décapitation du papeStupor Mundi: Livre 1, Rituel de décapitation du pape · MusicEat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own WordsStupor Mundi: Livre 2, Les Hommes qui mangèrent la montagneZapped: Frank Zappa par Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The MovieFrank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The Movie · DirectorFrank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The Movie · WriterFrank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The Movie · MusicFrank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The Movie · Producer
Led Zeppelin Played HereSuper Duper Alice CooperFrank Zappa – Summer '82: When Zappa Came to SicilyFrank Zappa – Summer '82: When Zappa Came to Sicily · MusicMade in Japan: The Rise of Deep Purple Mk II
Frank Zappa: A Token Of His ExtremeFrank Zappa: A Token Of His Extreme · EditorFrank Zappa: A Token Of His Extreme · Music
From Straight to Bizarre1982. L'estate di Frank · Music
Hart & Soul - The Hart Family AnthologyFrank Zappa: The Freak Out List
Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention: In the 1960's
An Evening with Frank Zappa During Which... The Torture Never StopsAn Evening with Frank Zappa During Which... The Torture Never Stops · MusicThe Wrecking CrewFrank Zappa - Live in Paris 1980Frank Zappa: The Broadcast Archives
Classic Albums: Frank Zappa - Apostrophe (') Over-Nite SensationFrank Zappa: A Pioneer of the Future of MusicFrank Zappa: Roxy, 1973Frank Zappa: Roxy, 1973 · Director
FuckEAV Rarities
Girls and Boys - Sex and British PopDerailroadedFrank Zappa: A Token of His Extreme
Frank Zappa - John, Dan And Me
Hollywood Rocks the Movies: The 1970sFrank Zappa: Phase II - The Big NoteBand from Utopia: A Tribute to the Music of Frank Zappa · Music
Frank Zappa: The Present-Day Composer Refuses To Die
Classic AlbumsHey, Hey, We're The MonkeesPorridge and keroseneHappy Birthday to John · SongsThe Artist Formerly Known As Captain Beefheart
Duckman · In Memory OfDuckman · MusicAn American Dissident: un tributo a Frank Zappa
Beasts · MusicThe Revenge of the Dead IndiansA Life of Extravaganza - The Genius Frank Zappa
The Yellow SharkThe Yellow Shark · MusicThe Yellow Shark · Conductor
The Ren & Stimpy ShowTom Arnold: The Naked TruthFrank Zappa: PeefeeyatkoFrank Zappa: Peefeeyatko · ProducerFrank Zappa: Peefeeyatko · Music
Cousteau: Alaska: Outrage at Valdez · Music
Služební cesta podporučíka SvěrákaDecade
FunnyThe True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 MotelsThe True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels · DirectorThe True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels · WriterThe True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels · Producer
Full Filmography
184 titles- Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music (2025) as Self (archive footage)
- Nova '78 (2025) as Self (archive footage)
- Marc-André Hamelin @ Ruhr Piano Festival 2025 (2025) Music
- Frank Zappa: Cheaper Than Cheep (2025) as Self (guitar, vocals)
- Frank Zappa: Cheaper Than Cheep (2025) Songs
- Frank Zappa: Cheaper Than Cheep (2025) Producer
- The Residents - A Documentary (2024) Compositor
- Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention: Live at Whisky a Go Go 1968 (2024)
- Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention: Live at Whisky a Go Go 1968 (2024) Music
- Cover Your Ears (2023) as Self - Musician (archive footage)
- Steve Vai - His First 30 Years: The Documentary (2022) as Self (archive footage)
- Rock this Town (2022) as Self (archive footage)
- The Velvet Underground (2021) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Kalvøyafestivalen - 50 år siden første riff (2021) as Self (archive footage)
- The Art of Dissent (2021) as Self - Subject (archive footage)
- Larry Flynt for President (2021) as Self (archive footage)
- Classic Albums: Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention - Freak Out! (2021) as Self
- Laurel Canyon (2020) as Self (archive footage)
- Zappa (2020) as Self (archive footage)
- Zappa (2020) Music
- Stupor Mundi: Book 3, The Most Dangerous Encounter (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- Manson: Music from an Unsound Mind (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- Echo in the Canyon (2019) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- Take Your Pills (2018) as Self (archive footage)
- Marian Briozzo (2018) as Himself (archive footage)
- Stupor Mundi: Livre 1, Rituel de décapitation du pape (2016) as Self (archive footage)
- Stupor Mundi: Livre 1, Rituel de décapitation du pape (2016) Music
- Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words (2016) as Self (archive footage)
- Stupor Mundi: Livre 2, Les Hommes qui mangèrent la montagne (2016) as Self (archive footage)
- Zapped: Frank Zappa par Frank Zappa (2016) as Self - Subject (archive footage)
- Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention - The Lost Broadcast: The Beat Club '68 (2016) as Self
- Frank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The Movie (2015) as Himself
- Frank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The Movie (2015) Director
- Frank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The Movie (2015) Writer
- Frank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The Movie (2015) Music
- Frank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The Movie (2015) Producer
- Feats First: The Life and Music of Lowell George (2015) as Self (archive footage)
- Led Zeppelin Played Here (2014) as Self (archive footage)
- Super Duper Alice Cooper (2014) as Self (archive footage)
- Frank Zappa – Summer '82: When Zappa Came to Sicily (2014) as Himself (archive Footage)
- Frank Zappa – Summer '82: When Zappa Came to Sicily (2014) Music
- Made in Japan: The Rise of Deep Purple Mk II (2014) as Self (archive footage)
- Cheepnis (2014) as Himself
- Cheepnis (2014) Director
- Cheepnis (2014) Producer
- Cheepnis (2014) Editor
- Cheepnis (2014) Music
- Frank Zappa: A Token Of His Extreme (2013) as Himself
- Frank Zappa: A Token Of His Extreme (2013) Editor
- Frank Zappa: A Token Of His Extreme (2013) Music
- From Straight to Bizarre (2012) as Self
- 1982. L'estate di Frank (2012) Music
- Hart & Soul - The Hart Family Anthology (2010) as Self (archive footage)
- Frank Zappa: The Freak Out List (2010) as Himself
- Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention: In the 1960's (2009) as Himself
- An Evening with Frank Zappa During Which... The Torture Never Stops (2008) as Self
- An Evening with Frank Zappa During Which... The Torture Never Stops (2008) Music
- The Wrecking Crew (2008) as Self (archive footage)
- Frank Zappa - Live in Paris 1980 (2008) as Self
- Frank Zappa: The Broadcast Archives (2008) as Self
- Frank Zappa: Music In Review (2008) as Self (archive footage)
- Classic Albums: Frank Zappa - Apostrophe (') Over-Nite Sensation (2007) as Self (archive footage)
- Frank Zappa: A Pioneer of the Future of Music (2007)
- Frank Zappa: Roxy, 1973 (2007)
- Frank Zappa: Roxy, 1973 (2007) Director
- Fuck (2006) as Self (archive footage)
- EAV Rarities (2006) as Self (archive footage)
- Girls and Boys - Sex and British Pop (2005) as Self (archive footage)
- Derailroaded (2005) as Self (archive footage)
- Frank Zappa: A Token of His Extreme (2005) as Himself
- Frank Zappa - John, Dan And Me (2004) as Himself
- Hollywood Rocks the Movies: The 1970s (2002) as Self (archive footage)
- Frank Zappa: Phase II - The Big Note (2002) as Self (archive footage)
- Band from Utopia: A Tribute to the Music of Frank Zappa (2002) Music
- Frank Zappa: The Present-Day Composer Refuses To Die (2000) as Self (archive footage)
- Classic Albums (1997) as Self (archive footage)
- Hey, Hey, We're The Monkees (1997) as Mike Nesmith (archive footage)
- Porridge and kerosene (1997) as Self (archive footage)
- Happy Birthday to John (1997) Songs
- The Artist Formerly Known As Captain Beefheart (1997) as Himself (archive footage)
- Duckman (1994) In Memory Of
- Duckman (1994) Music
- An American Dissident: un tributo a Frank Zappa (1994) as Self (archive footage)
- Beasts (1993) Music
- The Revenge of the Dead Indians (1993) as Himself
- A Life of Extravaganza - The Genius Frank Zappa (1993) as Self
- The Yellow Shark (1992) as Self
- The Yellow Shark (1992) Music
- The Yellow Shark (1992) Conductor
- The Ren & Stimpy Show (1991) as The Pope (voice)
- Tom Arnold: The Naked Truth (1991) as Self
- Frank Zappa: Peefeeyatko (1991) as Self
- Frank Zappa: Peefeeyatko (1991) Producer
- Frank Zappa: Peefeeyatko (1991) Music
- Pražákům, těm je hej (1991) as Frank Zappa
- Your vote (1991) as Self
- Cousteau: Alaska: Outrage at Valdez (1990) Music
- Služební cesta podporučíka Svěráka (1989) as Self (archive footage)
- Decade (1989) as Self
- Funny (1988) as Self
- The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels (1988) as Self
- The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels (1988) Director
- The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels (1988) Writer
- The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels (1988) Producer
- The True Story of Frank Zappa's 200 Motels (1988) Music
- Frank Zappa: Live in Barcelona (1988)
- Video from Hell (1987) as Self
- Video from Hell (1987) Director
- Video from Hell (1987) Writer
- Video from Hell (1987) Producer
- Video from Hell (1987) Music
- Video from Hell (1987) Camera Operator
- The Amazing Mr. Bickford (1987) as Self
- The Amazing Mr. Bickford (1987) Director
- The Amazing Mr. Bickford (1987) Writer
- The Amazing Mr. Bickford (1987) Music
- The Amazing Mr. Bickford (1987) Producer
- Uncle Meat (1987) as Self / The Imaginary Director
- Uncle Meat (1987) Director
- Uncle Meat (1987) Writer
- Uncle Meat (1987) Producer
- Night Flight with Frank Zappa, Porn Wars (1985) as Self
- Night Flight with Frank Zappa, Porn Wars (1985) Director
- Night Flight with Frank Zappa, Porn Wars (1985) Writer
- Frank Zappa: Does Humor Belong in Music? (1985) as Self
- Frank Zappa: Does Humor Belong in Music? (1985) Director
- Frank Zappa: Does Humor Belong in Music? (1985) Writer
- Frank Zappa: Does Humor Belong in Music? (1985) Producer
- Frank Zappa: Does Humor Belong in Music? (1985) Music
- Miami Vice (1984) as Mario Fuente
- The Boy Who Left Home to Find Out About the Shivers (1984) as Attila
- Cocaine Blues (1983) as Himself
- Faerie Tale Theatre (1982) as Attilla
- The Rolling Stones - The First 20 Years (1982) as Self
- Frank Zappa: The Dub Room Special! (1982) as Self
- Frank Zappa: The Dub Room Special! (1982) Music
- Frank Zappa: The Dub Room Special! (1982) Director
- Frank Zappa: The Dub Room Special! (1982) Writer
- Frank Zappa: New York and Elsewhere (1980) as Self
- Baby Snakes (1979) as Self
- Baby Snakes (1979) Director
- Baby Snakes (1979) Producer
- Baby Snakes (1979) Music
- Baby Snakes (1979) Writer
- Baby Snakes (1979) Editor
- Frank Zappa: We Don't Mess Around (1978) as Self
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Musical Guest
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Host & Musical Guest
- Frank Zappa: Opopoppa Stockholm, Sweden (1973)
- Yoko Ono: This Is Not Here (1972) as Self
- Deep Purple: Made In Japan (1972) as Self (archive footage)
- 200 Motels (1971) as Member of Mothers of Invention (uncredited)
- 200 Motels (1971) Director
- 200 Motels (1971) Screenplay
- 200 Motels (1971) Music Arranger
- 200 Motels (1971) Original Music Composer
- The Manipulator (1971) Props
- The Making of 200 Motels (1971) as Self
- Frank Zappa (1971) as Self
- Frank Zappa (1971) Music
- Frank Zappa, John Lennon & Yoko Ono: At Fillmore East (1971)
- Pink Floyd: Amougies Pop Festival (1970)
- Amougies (Music Power - European Music Revolution) (1970) as Self
- Burnt Weeny Sandwich (1969) as Self
- Burnt Weeny Sandwich (1969) Music
- Burnt Weeny Sandwich (1969) Director
- Head (1968) as The Critic
- You Are What You Eat (1968)
- All My Loving (1968) as Self
- Omnibus (1967) as Self
- Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution (1967) as Self
- Good Evening — I'm Jonathan King (1967) as Himself
- Mondo Hollywood (1967)
- Sex in Today's World (1967) as Self
- Luden’s Cough Drops (1967) Music
- Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution (1967) as Self
- The Monkees (1966) as Self (uncredited)
- Beat-Club (1965) as Self
- The Big T.N.T. Show (1965) as Self (uncredited)
- Run Home Slow (1965) Original Music Composer
- Late Night Line-Up (1964) as Himself
- The World's Greatest Sinner (1962) Original Music Composer
- The Male Swagger as Guitarist (archive footage)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Frank Zappa best known for?
Frank Zappa is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Nova '78 (2026), Larry Flynt for President (2021), Zappa (2020), Zappa (2020).
When and where was Frank Zappa born?
Frank Zappa was born on December 21, 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.. They passed away on December 4, 1993.
How many credits does Frank Zappa have?
Frank Zappa has accumulated over 184 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1962 to 2025.
What is Frank Zappa's background in cinema and television?
Frank Vincent Zappa (December 21, 1940 – December 4, 1993) was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, electronic, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and mu...
Frank Zappa by the numbers
184credits
168films
16TV series
1962–2025active years
Age in their best-rated roles
- Beat-Club (1965) as Self — aged about 24
- Faerie Tale Theatre (1982) as Attilla — aged about 41
- Classic Albums (1997) as Self (archive footage) — aged about 56
- Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice (2019) as Self (archive footage) — aged about 78
- The Ren & Stimpy Show (1991) as The Pope (voice) — aged about 50
- Miami Vice (1984) as Mario Fuente — aged about 43
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