Janet Jackson
Biography
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress. Born on May 16, 1966, in Gary, Indiana, she is the youngest child of the Jackson family. Known as an influential figure in popular culture, her career includes roles in television shows such as The Jacksons, Good Times, and Fame. She has 87 known acting credits according to the Movie Database and is recognized as a prominent pop icon and recording artist. Her work spans across music, television, and film, establishing her as a multi-gifted artist and performer who began her television career in the 1970s and continued performing into the early 1980s and beyond.
Career overview
Janet Damita Jo Jackson was born on May 16, 1966, in Gary, Indiana. As an actress and entertainer, she has built a prominent career spanning television and film roles. As the youngest child of the Jackson family, she began her television career in 1976 with the variety television series The Jacksons. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, she continued to appear in various television shows, including Good Times and Fame.
Alongside her acting work, Jackson established herself as a singer, songwriter, and dancer. She signed a recording contract with A&M Records in 1982 and released her third studio album, becoming a pop icon and one of the most popular recording artists of the 1980s and 1990s. Known for her innovative works and elaborate stage shows, she has remained a prominent figure in popular culture for over thirty years. Her career encompasses numerous known credits in acting and music, maintaining a significant presence across entertainment media.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
97 titles- Michael Jackson: A Life in Music (2026) as Self (archive footage)
- SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) (2025)
- Thom Browne: The Man Who Tailors Dreams (2024) as self
- Janet Jackson: In Control (2024) as Self (archive footage)
- Soul of a Nation Presents: Black in Vegas (2023) as Self
- Sherri (2022) as Self - Guest
- JANET JACKSON. (2022) as Self
- JANET JACKSON. (2022) Executive Producer
- 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (2022) as Self - Presenter
- Janet Jackson: Japanese Singles Collection - Greatest Hits (2022)
- Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson (2021) as Self (archive footage)
- Unfiltered: Paris Jackson & Gabriel Glenn (2020) as Self (archive footage)
- The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019) as Self
- Leaving Neverland (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- Michael Jackson: Chase the Truth (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- The Minnesota Sound (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2019 Induction Ceremony (2019) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self - Guest
- Radio Disney Music Awards (2013) as Self
- Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010) as Patricia
- Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010) Songs
- For Colored Girls (2010) as Jo / Red
- Michael Jackson: The Inside Story - What Killed the King of Pop? (2010) as Self (archive footage)
- Live from Studio Five (2009) as Self
- Michael Jackson Memorial (2009) as Self
- Michael Jackson's HIStory: The King of Pop 1958-2009 (2009)
- The Michael Jackson Story (2009) as Self
- The Graham Norton Show (2007) as Self
- Why Did I Get Married? (2007) as Patricia
- Janet Jackson: Exposed (2007) as Self (archive footage)
- Dancing with the Stars (2005) Thanks
- The Tyra Banks Show (2005)
- On Air with Ryan Seacrest (2004) as Self
- Janet Jackson: From Janet. To Damita Jo: The Videos (2004) as Self
- Janet Jackson: From Janet. To Damita Jo: The Videos (2004) Musical
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self
- The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003) as Self
- Michael Jackson's Private Home Movies (2003) as Self (archive footage)
- Janet: Live in Hawaii (2002) as Self
- AFI's 100 Years... 100 Passions: America's Greatest Love Stories (2002) as Self
- MTV Icon: Janet Jackson (2001) as Self
- The Concert for New York City (2001) as Self
- Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000) as Denise
- Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000) Songs
- TV total (1999) as Self
- Will & Grace (1998) as Janet Jackson
- Janet Jackson: The Velvet Rope Tour (1998) as Self
- Janet Jackson: The Velvet Rope Tour (1998) Creator
- Janet Jackson: The Velvet Rope Tour (1998) Executive Producer
- The View (1997) as Self
- HIStory on Film, Volume II (1997) as Herself
- E! True Hollywood Story (1996)
- Janet Jackson: Design of a Decade 1986/1996 (1995) as Self (archive footage)
- Michael Jackson's Scream: HIStory in the Making (1995) as Self
- MTV Europe Music Awards (1994) as Self - Performer
- Janet Jackson: janet. (1994)
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) as Self - Guest
- GMTV (1993) as Self
- Poetic Justice (1993) as Justice
- Poetic Justice (1993) Original Music Composer
- Poetic Justice (1993) Songs
- Michael Jackson: Dangerous - The Short Films (1993) as Self (uncredited)
- RapLine (1993) as Self
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992)
- Malcolm X (1992) as Self (uncredited)
- Malcolm X (1992) Thanks
- The Word (1990)
- Janet Jackson: Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990 (1990) as Self
- Janet Jackson: The Rhythm Nation Compilation (1990) as Self (archive footage)
- MTV Rockumentary (1989)
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark (1988)
- Smash Hits Poll Winners Party (1988) as Self
- Sacrée soirée (1987) as Self
- Going Live! (1987) as Self
- MTV Video Music Awards (1984)
- MTV Video Music Awards (1984) as Self
- Fame (1982) as Cleo Hewitt
- Wetten, dass..? (1981) as Self
- Entertainment Tonight (1981) as Self
- A New Kind of Family (1979)
- Diff'rent Strokes (1978) as Charlene DuPrey
- Rock 'n' Roll Sports Classic (1978) as Self
- The Sonny and Cher Show (1976)
- The Jacksons (1976) as Self
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Host & Musical Guest
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Musical Guest
- Cher (1975) as Self
- Good Times (1974) as Milicent 'Penny' Woods
- American Music Awards (1974) as Self - Musical Guest
- The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour (1971)
- The Flip Wilson Show (1970) as Self
- The Jim Nabors Hour (1969)
- The Grammys (1959) as Self
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Today (1952) as Self
- Michael Jackson: Scream as Singer
- Family First as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Janet Jackson best known for?
Janet Jackson is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Michael Jackson: A Life in Music (2026), Sherri (2022), The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019), Leaving Neverland (2019).
When and where was Janet Jackson born?
Janet Jackson was born on May 16, 1966 in Gary, Indiana, USA.
How many credits does Janet Jackson have?
Janet Jackson has accumulated over 97 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1952 to 2026.
What is Janet Jackson's background in cinema and television?
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress. Born on May 16, 1966, in Gary, Indiana, she is the youngest child of the Jackson family. Known as an influential figure in popular culture, her career includes roles in television shows such as The Jacksons, Good Times, and Fame. She has 87...
Janet Jackson by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- MTV Europe Music Awards (1994) as Self - Performer — aged about 28
- On Air with Ryan Seacrest (2004) as Self — aged about 38
- The Jacksons (1976) as Self — aged about 10
- The Grammys (1959) as Self — aged about 6
- American Music Awards (1974) as Self - Musical Guest — aged about 8
- Good Times (1974) as Milicent 'Penny' Woods — aged about 8
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