Little Richard
Biography
Richard Wayne Penniman, also known as Little Richard and Richard Wayne Penn, was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and pianist born on December 5, 1932, in Macon, Georgia. He died on May 9, 2020, at the age of 87. A pioneering influence on the birth of rock and roll, his music blended gospel, R&B, and boogie-woogie. He is known for hit songs including Good Golly, Miss Molly and Tutti Frutti. In acting, he has 108 known credits and appeared in productions such as Edward Scissorhands, McCartney 3, 2, 1, and And You Don't Stop: 30 Years of Hip-Hop. A 2000 television film titled Little Richard chronicles his rise from poverty to superstardom.
Career overview
Richard Wayne Penniman, known as Little Richard, was an American singer, songwriter, and musician born on December 5, 1932, in Macon, Georgia. He was a flamboyant pianist and a pioneering influence on the birth of rock and roll. His musical style blended gospel, R&B, and boogie-woogie, characterized by a raspy voice, shouts, and emotional expressions. His mid-1950s hit songs, including Good Golly, Miss Molly and Tutti Frutti, served as defining moments in the development of the genre.
In addition to his musical career, Penniman was involved in acting and is credited with 108 known credits. His filmography includes appearances in the productions And You Don't Stop: 30 Years of Hip-Hop, Edward Scissorhands, and McCartney 3, 2, 1. His life and rise from a poor upbringing in Georgia to superstardom are chronicled in a film based on the 1984 book Quasar of Rock: The Life and Times of Little Richard. A television film titled Little Richard was released in 2000. Penniman died on May 9, 2020, at the age of 87.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
108 titles- Beatles '64 (2024) as Self (archive footage)
- Beatles '64 (2024) Songs
- No Hamburg, No Beatles (2024) as Self (archive footage)
- Little Richard: I Am Everything (2023) as Self (archive footage)
- Revival69: The Concert That Rocked the World (2023) as Self (archive footage)
- High Card's Bluff (2023) Songs
- Little Richard: King and Queen of Rock 'n' Roll (2023) as Self (Archival Footage)
- Freddie Mercury: The Final Act (2022) as Self (archive footage)
- Piano Greats at the BBC (2022) as Self (archive footage)
- McCartney 3, 2, 1 (2021) as Self (archive footage)
- 70 Years of Youth Revolt (2020) as Self (archive footage)
- Basketball: A Love Story (2018) as Self (archive footage)
- Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’ (2012) as Self (archive footage)
- Sex in '69: The Sexual Revolution in America (2009) as Self (archive footage)
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live - Feelin' Alright (2009)
- Seven Ages of Rock (2007) as Self
- Celebrity Duets (2006)
- The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2005) as Self
- Electric Purgatory: The Fate of the Black Rocker (2005) as Self (archive footage)
- Best Week Ever (2004)
- Eddie Cochran & Friends: C'mon Everybody (2004) as Self (archive footage)
- Johnny Cash: The Last Great American (2004) as Self
- Las Vegas (2003) as Little Richard
- James Brown: Soul Survivor (2003)
- Christmas in Hollywood (2003) as Self (archive footage)
- The Road to Memphis (2003) as Self (archive footage)
- It's Black Entertainment (2002) as Self
- The Trumpet of the Swan (2001) Songs
- Rock, Rhythm & Doo Wop (2001) as Himself
- Little Richard (2000) Executive Producer
- John & Yoko's Year of Peace (2000) as Self
- Mystery, Alaska (1999) as Self
- Hollywood Rocks 'n' Rolls in the '50s (1999) as Self (archive footage)
- Hollywood Squares (1998) as Self - Panelist
- Why Do Fools Fall In Love (1998) as Himself
- Chairman of the Board (1998) as Himself
- Quincy Jones... The First 50 Years (1998) as Self
- Motown 40: The Music Is Forever (1998) as Self
- The Three Stooges Greatest Hits! (1997) as Self
- Muppets Tonight (1996) as Self
- E! True Hollywood Story (1996)
- The Late Shift (1996) as Little Richard
- Be Cool About Fire Safety (1996) as Self
- Rudy Coby: Ridiculously Dangerous (1996) as Lounge Lizard (voice)
- The Drew Carey Show (1995) as Little Richard
- The History of Rock 'n' Roll (1995) as Self
- Sinatra: 80 Years My Way (1995) as Self - Performer
- Queen: Champions of the World (1995) as Self
- The Magic School Bus (1994) Theme Song Performance
- Food Rocks (1994) as Richard (uncredited)
- Food Rocks (1994) Songs
- Raw (1993) as Little Richard
- Last Action Hero (1993) as Self
- The Pickle (1993) as President
- Sesame Street Jam: A Musical Celebration (1993) as Self - Special Guest
- RuPaul's Christmas Ball (1993) as Self
- Martin (1992) as The Exterminator
- Hearts Afire (1992) as Little Richard
- The Naked Truth (1992) as Airborne Mustard Lover
- Sunset Heat (1992) as Brandon
- Voices That Care (1991) as Self - Choir Member
- Blossom (1990) as Little Richard
- Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures (1990)
- Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme (1990) as Old King Cole
- The Chipmunks Rockin' Through The Decades (1990) as Self
- Happy Birthday, Bugs! 50 Looney Years (1990) as Self
- The Simpsons (1989) as Little Richard (voice)
- Baywatch (1989) as Maurice the Cook
- Prince: Musical Portrait (1989) as Self
- Legends of Rock 'n' Roll (1989) as Little Richard
- The Debbie Allen Special (1989) as Self
- Purple People Eater (1988) as Mayor
- Goddess of Love (1988) as Alphonso
- Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special (1988) as Self
- Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz (1988) as Little Richard
- Full House (1987) as Little Richard
- Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll (1987) as Self
- Diana Ross: Red Hot Rhythm and Blues (1987) as Self
- Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986) as Orvis Goodnight
- Friday People (1985)
- The Real Buddy Holly Story (1985) as Self (archive footage)
- Miami Vice (1984) as Marvelle Quinn
- Rock and Roll: The Early Days (1984) as Himself
- The Little Richard Story (1980) as Himself
- Donny & Marie (1976) as Self
- Let the Good Times Roll (1973) as Himself
- Jimi Hendrix (1973) as Self
- The London Rock and Roll Show (1973) as Self
- Little Richard: Keep on Rockin' (1973) as Self
- The Midnight Special (1972) as Self
- Columbo (1971) as Little Richard
- Sweet Toronto (1971) as Self
- The Smothers Brothers Summer Show (1970)
- The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour (1969) as Self
- The Barbara McNair Show (1969) as Self
- 33 ⅓ Revolutions per Monkee (1969) as Himself
- The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
- Catalina Caper (1967) as Self
- Little Richard Live in Paris (1966) as Self
- It's Little Richard (1964) as Himself
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- American Bandstand (1957) as Self
- Mister Rock and Roll (1957) as Himself
- The Girl Can't Help It (1956) as Himself (uncredited)
- Don't Knock The Rock (1956) as Himself
- Little Richard - Legends in Concert (1950) as Self
- Don't Knock The Rock U.K. 1964 as Little Richards
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Little Richard best known for?
Little Richard is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Basketball: A Love Story (2018), The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2005), Best Week Ever (2004), The View (1997).
When and where was Little Richard born?
Little Richard was born on December 5, 1932 in Macon, Georgia, USA. They passed away on May 9, 2020.
How many credits does Little Richard have?
Little Richard has accumulated over 108 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1950 to 2024.
What is Little Richard's background in cinema and television?
Richard Wayne Penniman, also known as Little Richard and Richard Wayne Penn, was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and pianist born on December 5, 1932, in Macon, Georgia. He died on May 9, 2020, at the age of 87. A pioneering influence on the birth of rock and roll, his music blended gospel, R&B, and boogie-wo...
Little Richard by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Queen: Champions of the World (1995) as Self — aged about 62
- American Bandstand (1957) as Self — aged about 24
- The Midnight Special (1972) as Self — aged about 39
- Columbo (1971) as Little Richard — aged about 38
- The Simpsons (1989) as Little Richard (voice) — aged about 56
- Hearts Afire (1992) as Little Richard — aged about 59
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