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David Bowie

David Bowie

Actor, producer and writer · Died January 10, 2016, aged 69 · London, England, UK

Golden Globe nominee · BAFTA Award nominee · 1 other major award body

David Robert Jones, known professionally as David Bowie, was an English singer, songwriter and actor. He was a figure in popular music for over five decades, regarded by critics and musicians as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s. His career was marked by reinvention and visual presentation, his music and stagecraft significantly influencing popular music. During his lifetime, his record sales, estimated at 140 million worldwide, made him one of the world's best-selling music artists. In the UK, he was awarded nine platinum album certifications, eleven gold and eight silver, releasing eleven number-one albums. In the US, he received five platinum and seven gold certifications. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Born and raised in South London, Bowie developed an interest in music as a child, eventually studying art, music and design before embarking on a professional career as a musician in 1963. “Space Oddity” became his first top-five entry on the UK Singles Chart after its release in July 1969. After a period of experimentation, he re-emerged in 1972 during the glam rock era with his flamboyant and androgynous alter ego Ziggy Stardust. The character was spearheaded by the success of his single “Starman” and album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, which won him widespread popularity. In 1975, Bowie's style shifted radically towards a sound he characterized as “plastic soul,” initially alienating many of his UK devotees but garnering him his first major US crossover success with the number-one single “Fame” and the album Young Americans. In 1976, Bowie starred in the cult film The Man Who Fell to Earth and released Station to Station. The following year, he further confounded musical expectations with the electronic-inflected album Low (1977), the first of three collaborations with Brian Eno that would come to be known as the Berlin Trilogy. Heroes (1977) and Lodger (1979) followed; each album reached the UK top five and received lasting critical praise. After uneven commercial success in the late 1970s, Bowie had UK number ones with the 1980 single “Ashes to Ashes,” its parent album Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps), and “Under Pressure,” a 1981 collaboration with Queen. He then reached his commercial peak in 1983 with Let's Dance, with its title track topping both UK and US charts. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Bowie continued to experiment with musical styles, including industrial and jungle. Bowie also continued acting; his roles included Major Celliers in Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), the Goblin King Jareth in Labyrinth (1986), Pontius Pilate in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), and Nikola Tesla in The Prestige (2006), among other film and television appearances and cameos. He stopped concert touring after 2004 and his last live performance was at a charity event in 2006. In 2013, Bowie returned from a decade-long recording hiatus with the release of The Next Day. He remained musically active until he died of liver cancer two days after the release of his final album, Blackstar (2016).

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 8, 1947
Died
January 10, 2016 (aged 69)
From
London, England, UK
Works as
Actor, producer and writer
Titles
39 on MovieCove · 86 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Up 22% in 30 days

What are David Bowie's films like?

Usually the Hero: 4 of 13 analyzed roles.

Genres

Documentary24 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 87th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Drama10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 69th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Animation2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 71st percentile
: browse their Animation movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 85th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Roles they play

13 analyzed roles
Hero
4 of 13
Shadow
3 of 13
Herald
3 of 13
Mentor
2 of 13
Trickster
1 of 13
Show the 13 roles

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch David Bowie's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 31 of their 39 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for David Bowie's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

86 credits, 39 with a MovieCove page; 193 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • A 10 minute guide to alien disclosure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as The prophet

  • Looking for Laurie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Songs

  • Tribute to David Bowie - Heroes Never Die (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Author · Composer · Compositor

  • Twiggy(2024)

    as (archival footage)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • David Bowie: The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars (2024 Dolby Atmos Mix) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Guitar, Saxophone, Vocals

  • TIME (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Dear Bowie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as David Bowie

  • Moonage Daydream(2022)

    Composer · as Self (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!(2019)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • BowieNext - Nascita di una galassia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Lazarus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Composer · Writer

  • Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda(2017)

    as Jack Celliers (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Sound and Vision (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Sound

  • SHOT! The Psycho-Spiritual Mantra of Rock(2016)

    Thanks · as Self - Musician (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Gimme Danger(2016)

    as archive footage

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • David Bowie: The Berlin Briefings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Actor

  • Closer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    In Memory Of

  • Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Phillip Jeffries

  • The Frame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as John Blaylock

  • The Stars (Are Out Tonight) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • Let’s Spend the Night Together: Confessions of Rock’s Greatest Groupies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as archive footage

  • Bandslam(2009)

    as David Bowie

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • August(2008)

    as Cyrus Ogilvie

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Lord Royal Highness

  • Journey Through the Labyrinth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Thanks

  • Scott Walker: 30 Century Man(2006)

    Executive Producer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Arthur and the Invisibles(2006)

    as Maltazard (voice)

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Prestige(2006)

    as Tesla

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Best of Bowie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director · Actor

  • Tráiler para amantes de lo prohibido! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Thanks

  • Extras(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as David Bowie

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • David Bowie: A Reality Tour(2004)

    Writer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • David Bowie - Best Of (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 27 episodes · Actor

  • David Bowie: Best of Bowie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director · as Self (archive footage)

  • The Changing Same (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Composer

  • Zoolander(2001)

    as David Bowie

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Mr. Rice's Secret(1999)

    as Mr. William Rice

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • SpongeBob SquarePants(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Lord Royal Highness (voice)

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Everybody Loves Sunshine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Bernie

  • Il mio West(1998)

    as Jack Sikora

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • The Hunger(1997)

    Show 22 episodes · as The Host

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all shows

  • Basquiat(1996)

    as Andy Warhol

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • TFI Friday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • The World of Jim Henson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Jareth (archive footage)

  • Magic Hunter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Executive Producer

  • Gay! Gay! Hollywood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Actor

  • The Buddha of Suburbia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 4 episodes · Composer

  • Tina Turner: The Girl from Nutbush (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Actor

  • Full Stretch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as David Bowie

  • Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me(1992)

    as Phillip Jeffries

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The Linguini Incident (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Monte

  • Dream On (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 2 episodes · as Sir Roland Moorecock

  • Twin Peaks(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Phillip Jeffries (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Tin Machine - Live at Paradiso (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • The Last Temptation of Christ(1988)

    as Pontius Pilatus

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • David Bowie: Glass Spider (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Choreographer · as Self

  • When the Wind Blows(1986)

    Main Title Theme Composer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Labyrinth(1986)

    Songs · as Jareth

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Absolute Beginners(1986)

    Songs · as Vendice Partners

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • David Bowie at Live Aid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • Tokyo melody: un film sur Ryuichi Sakamoto(1985)

    as Celliers (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Into the Night(1985)

    as Colin Morris

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Jazzin' for Blue Jean(1984)

    Writer · as Vic / Screaming Lord Byron

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars(1979)

    Songs · Sound Mixer · as Self / Ziggy Stardust

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • David Bowie: Serious Moonlight Sydney (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • David Bowie: Serious Moonlight Montreal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Writer · as Self

  • Yellowbeard(1983)

    as The Shark (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence(1983)

    as Celliers

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Hunger(1983)

    as John Blaylock

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • We Will Rock You: Queen Live in Concert(1983)

    Songs

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Cat People(1982)

    Theme Song Performance

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Baal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Baal

  • The Snowman(1982)

    as Older James (re-released version)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Christiane F.(1981)

    as David Bowie

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Radio On(1979)

    Songs

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Young Music Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Just a Gigolo(1978)

    as Paul Ambrosius von Przygodski

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • David Bowie On Stage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • The Man Who Fell to Earth(1976)

    as Thomas Jerome Newton

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Diamond Dogs Demo Video (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Director · as Self / Harpie

  • The Looking Glass Murders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Writer · as Cloud

  • The Virgin Soldiers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Soldier

  • The Image (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as The Boy

  • David Bowie: Love You Till Tuesday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Composer · as Self

  • Theatre 625 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • David Bowie: Day-In Day-Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Biggest box office

The Prestige (2006)

$110M worldwide

Highest rated

The Prestige (2006)

Midcredits 99th

Film career

19782017

Peak 1982 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 19% of 21 roles
768696

Counts over their MovieCove titles; a title counts in every role they held on it. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

7 major awards from 23 major nominations, 1979–2024.

WinNomination
  1. 2024
    • Grammy Award, won · Best Music Film
  2. 2017
    • Grammy Award, won · Best Alternative Music Album
    • Grammy Award, won · Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
    • Grammy Award, won · Best Rock Performance
    • Grammy Award, won · Best Rock Song
  3. 2014
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Rock Album
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Rock Performance
  4. 2006
    • Grammy Award, won · Lifetime Achievement Award
  5. 2004
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Male Rock Vocal Performance
  6. 2003
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Male Rock Vocal Performance
  7. 2001
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Male Rock Vocal Performance
  8. 1998
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Alternative Music Performance
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Male Rock Vocal Performance
Show 7 earlier years
  1. 1994
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Original Television Music
  2. 1989
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Performance Music Video
  3. 1988
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Concept Music Video
  4. 1985
    • Grammy Award, won · Best Music Video, Short Form
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Video Album
  5. 1984
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Album of the Year
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male
  6. 1983
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Original Song - Motion Picture
  7. 1979
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Recording for Children

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.