Kurt Cobain
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- February 20, 1967 in Aberdeen, Washington, USA
- Died
- April 5, 1994
- Active Years
- 1984–2025 (42 Years)
- Total Credits
- 72 credits in database
Biography
Kurt Donald Cobain was born on February 20, 1967, in Aberdeen, Washington, and died around April 5, 1994, at the age of twenty-seven. He was an American musician, songwriter, and artist who served as the lead singer, guitarist, primary songwriter, and a founding member of the grunge band Nirvana. Cobain formed Nirvana with Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1985, establishing the group within the Seattle music scene. The band released its debut album, Bleach, on the independent record label Sub Pop in 1989. After signing with DGC Records, Nirvana achieved breakthrough success with the song Smells Like Teen Spirit from their second album, Nevermind, released in 1991. Following this success, Nirvana was labeled the flagship band of Generation X, and Cobain was recognized as the spokesman of a generation.
Career overview
Kurt Donald Cobain was born on February 20, 1967, in Aberdeen, Washington. He was an American singer-songwriter, musician, and artist best known as the lead singer, guitarist, primary songwriter, and a founding member of the grunge band Nirvana. Cobain formed Nirvana with Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1985, establishing the group as part of the Seattle music scene. The band released its debut album, Bleach, on the independent record label Sub Pop in 1989.
After signing with the major label DGC Records, Nirvana achieved breakthrough success with the song Smells Like Teen Spirit from their second album, Nevermind, released in 1991. Following the success of Nevermind, the band was labeled the flagship band of Generation X, and Cobain was hailed as the spokesman of a generation. Known for his angsty songwriting and anti-establishment persona, he widened the thematic conventions of mainstream music.
Cobain lived in Hoquiam for the first few months of his life before his family moved back to Aberdeen. His known credits include acting, and his work is also featured on soundtracks such as Black Widow. Kurt Cobain died on or about April 5, 1994.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
72 titles- The Secret Lives of Bill Bartell (2025) as Self (archive footage)
- BUSCANDO MI NIRVANA (2025)
- Hippo (2024) Music
- I Hate Myself and I Want to Die (2023) as Self (archive footage)
- The Teacher (2023) as Self (archive footage)
- Foo Fighters: One Less Hero (2022) as Self (archive footage)
- Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage (2021) as Self (archive footage)
- Kalvøyafestivalen - 50 år siden første riff (2021) as Self (archive footage)
- Grunge: A Story of Music and Rage (2021) as Self (archive footage)
- When Nirvana Came to Britain (2021) as Self (archive footage)
- 70 Years of Youth Revolt (2020) as Self (archive footage)
- The UnXplained (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- Stupor Mundi: Book 3, The Most Dangerous Encounter (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- Kurt Everywhere (2018)
- 27: Gone Too Soon (2018) as Self (archive footage)
- The Nineties (2017) as Self (archive footage)
- Cobain: Montage of Heck (2015) as Self (archive footage)
- Soaked in Bleach (2015) as Self (archive footage)
- Too Young to Die (2012) as Self (archive footage)
- Hit So Hard (2012) as Self (archive footage)
- Nirvana: Live at the Paramount (2011) as Self - Lead Vocals, Guitar
- Nirvana: Live at the Paramount (2011) Author
- Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses (2011) as Self
- Nirvana: Live On Air (2010) as Self
- Nirvana: Live at Reading (2009) as Self - Vocals, Guitar
- Loki: Arnaldo Baptista (2009) as Self (archive footage)
- Welcome to My Castle! (2007) as Self
- Kurt Cobain: About a Son (2007) as Self
- The Last 48 Hours of Kurt Cobain (2007) as Self (archive footage)
- The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2006) as Self (Archival footage)
- Nirvana - In Utero: Under Review (2006) as Self (archive footage)
- All Apologies: Kurt Cobain 10 Years On (2006) as Self
- Nirvana The Path from Incesticide to In Utero (2006) as Self
- Nirvana - the Definitive Critical Review (2006) as Self
- Classic Albums: Nirvana - Nevermind (2005) as Self (archive footage)
- The Britpop Story 'It Really, Really, Really, Could Happen' (2005) as Self (archive footage)
- The Work of Director Anton Corbijn (2005) as Self (segment "Heart-Shaped Box")
- (This Is Known as) The Blues Scale (2004) as Self
- Nirvana: With the Lights Out (2004)
- Kurt Cobain: The Early Life of a Legend (2004) as Self
- VH1 News Special: Grunge (2001) as Self (archive footage)
- 25 Years of Punk (2001) as Self (archive footage)
- Kurt & Courtney (1998) as Self (archive footage)
- Classic Albums (1997) as Self (archive footage)
- Hype! (1996) as Self (archive footage)
- Nirvana: Live! Tonight! Sold Out!! (1994) as Self - Vocals, Guitar (archive footage)
- Freaks, Nerds & Weirdos (1994) as Self
- Nirvana: Terminal 1, Munich (1994)
- Nirvana: Unplugged In New York (1993) as Self - Vocals, Guitar
- Nirvana: Unplugged In New York (1993) Songs
- Nirvana: Unplugged In New York (1993) Vocals
- Nirvana: Live and Loud (1993) as Self - Vocals, Guitar
- Nirvana: Unplugged in New York - Rehearsal (1993) as Self - Lead Vocals, Guitars
- MTV Unplugged: Nirvana (1993) as Self
- RuPaul's Christmas Ball (1993) as Self
- Nirvana: Live at Hollywood Rock Festival (1993) as Self
- Nirvana: Veterans Memorial Coliseum Phoenix, Az (1993)
- 1991: The Year Punk Broke (1992) as Self
- Nirvana: Live in Amsterdam 1991 (1991) as Self - Lead Vocals, Guitars
- Nirvana: Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991) as Kurt Cobain
- Nirvana: Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991) Lyricist
- Nirvana: Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991) Vocals
- Nirvana: Teatro Castello, Rome, Italy (1991) as Self
- Nirvana: Live in Dallas (1991) as Self
- Nirvana: Live at the Paradiso (1991) as Self
- Nirvana: Astoria Theater London (1991)
- Sub Pop Video Network Program 1 (1991) as Self (archive footage)
- The Word (1990)
- Nirvana - Live on Leeds Polytechnic, UK, 1990 (1990) as Self - Vocals, Guitar
- Nirvana: Rockin’ T.P., Santa Fe 1989 (1989) as Self
- MTV Video Music Awards (1984) as Self
- The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't a Guy at All Theme Song Performance
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Kurt Cobain best known for?
Kurt Cobain is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The UnXplained (2019), Stupor Mundi: Book 3, The Most Dangerous Encounter (2019), 27: Gone Too Soon (2018), The Nineties (2017).
When and where was Kurt Cobain born?
Kurt Cobain was born on February 20, 1967 in Aberdeen, Washington, USA. They passed away on April 5, 1994.
How many credits does Kurt Cobain have?
Kurt Cobain has accumulated over 72 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1984 to 2025.
What is Kurt Cobain's background in cinema and television?
Kurt Donald Cobain was born on February 20, 1967, in Aberdeen, Washington, and died around April 5, 1994, at the age of twenty-seven. He was an American musician, songwriter, and artist who served as the lead singer, guitarist, primary songwriter, and a founding member of the grunge band Nirvana. Cobain formed Nirvana ...
Kurt Cobain by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- MTV Video Music Awards (1984) as Self — aged about 17
- The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2006) as Self (Archival footage) — aged about 39
- Classic Albums (1997) as Self (archive footage) — aged about 30
- The Nineties (2017) as Self (archive footage) — aged about 50
- Kurt Cobain: About a Son (2007) as Self — aged about 40
- The UnXplained (2019) as Self (archive footage) — aged about 52
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