Levon Helm
Biography
Mark Lavon Levon Helm was an American rock multi-instrumentalist and actor born on May 26, 1940, in Elaine, Arkansas. He achieved fame as the drummer and frequent lead and backing vocalist for the rock band The Band. He was known for his deeply soulful, country-accented voice, multi-instrumental ability, and creative drumming style on recordings such as The Weight, Up on Cripple Creek, and The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down. Helm died at the age of 71 on April 19, 2012, in New York, after succumbing to throat cancer, as announced by his manager. During his career, he accumulated 43 known acting credits listed on The Movie Database.
Career overview
Mark Lavon Levon Helm was born on May 26, 1940, in Elaine, Arkansas, and died on April 19, 2012, at the age of 71 in New York. He was an American rock multi-instrumentalist and actor who achieved fame as the drummer and frequent lead and backing vocalist for the rock kapely The Band. Alongside Helm, members associated with the group included Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, and Richard Manuel.
Helm was recognized for his deeply soulful, country-accented voice, multi-instrumental ability, and creative drumming style. His performances were highlighted on many of the Band's recordings, such as The Weight, Up on Cripple Creek, Ophelia, and The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down. Over the course of his career, Helm accumulated forty-three known acting and music credits on the movie database, and he appeared in works such as Levon Helm Ramble At The Ryman, released in 2009. His 2007 comeback album, Dirt Farmer, earned the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album in February 2008. In November of that same year, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number ninety-one on its list of the one hundred greatest singers of all time, followed by the release of his album Electric Dirt in 2009. Helm passed away after succumbing to throat cancer, as announced by his manager.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
44 titles- The Dancing Man of L.A. (2021) as Self (archive footage)
- Bob Dylan: Odds and Ends (2021) as Self (archive footage)
- The Band: Stage Fright (50th Anniversery Ed.) (2021)
- Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band (2020) as Self (archive footage)
- Mavis! (2015) as Self
- The Band - Live At The Academy Of Music 1971 (2013) as Batteria Mandolino voce
- Bob Dylan & The Band: Down In The Flood (2012) as Self
- The Band With The Cate Brothers Band Live In Tokyo 1983 (2011) as Himself
- Ain't in It for My Health: A Film About Levon Helm (2010) as Self
- In the Electric Mist (2009) as General John Bell Hood
- Levon Helm: Ramble At The Ryman (2009) as Self
- Levon Helm: Ramble At The Ryman (2009) Executive Producer
- Shooter (2007) as Mr. Rate
- The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005) as Old Man with Radio
- The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico (2005) as Himself
- Levon Helm on Drums and Drumming (2005) as Self
- Lightning in a Bottle (2004) as Self
- Festival Express (2003) as Self - The Band
- The Band - The Band Is Back (2003) as Vokals, mandolin and Drums
- World Tour 1966: The Home Movies (2003) as Self (archive footage)
- The Adventures of Sebastian Cole (1998) as Juvie Bob
- Classic Albums (1997) as Self
- Fire Down Below (1997) as Reverend Bob Goodall
- Classic Albums: The Band - The Band (1997) as Self
- Great Drives (1996) as Self - Host
- Feeling Minnesota (1996) as Bible Salesman
- Let It Rock - The 60th Birthday Concert (1995) as Himself
- Robbie Robertson: A Retrospective - From the Band to the Rock'n'Roll Hall Of Fame (1994) as Himself
- Martin Scorsese Directs (1990) Music
- Roger Waters: The Wall - Live in Berlin (1990) as Self - Vocals
- Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band (1990) as Self
- Staying Together (1989) as Denny Stockton
- Elvis '56 (1988) as Self - Narrator
- End of the Line (1987) as Leo Pickett
- The Man Outside (1987) as Sheriff Leland Laughlin
- Smooth Talk (1985) as Harry Wyatt
- The Dollmaker (1984) as Clovis
- Best Revenge (1984) as Bo
- The Right Stuff (1983) as Jack Ridley / Narrator
- American Playhouse (1982) as Harry
- Coal Miner's Daughter (1980) as Ted Webb
- The Last Waltz (1978) as Self
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Musical Guest
- The Band: The Authorized Biography
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Levon Helm best known for?
Levon Helm is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including In the Electric Mist (2009), Shooter (2007), The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005), A Chinese Ghost Story III (1991).
When and where was Levon Helm born?
Levon Helm was born on May 26, 1940 in Elaine, Arkansas, USA. They passed away on April 19, 2012.
How many credits does Levon Helm have?
Levon Helm has accumulated over 44 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1975 to 2021.
What is Levon Helm's background in cinema and television?
Mark Lavon Levon Helm was an American rock multi-instrumentalist and actor born on May 26, 1940, in Elaine, Arkansas. He achieved fame as the drummer and frequent lead and backing vocalist for the rock band The Band. He was known for his deeply soulful, country-accented voice, multi-instrumental ability, and creative d...
Levon Helm by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Classic Albums (1997) as Self — aged about 57
- The Last Waltz (1978) as Self — aged about 38
- The Right Stuff (1983) as Jack Ridley / Narrator — aged about 43
- Coal Miner's Daughter (1980) as Ted Webb — aged about 40
- Shooter (2007) as Mr. Rate — aged about 67
- The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005) as Old Man with Radio — aged about 65
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