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Ike and Tina Turner were the subjects of one of the greatest Black biopics of all time: What’s Love Got to Do With It. Turner’s story revealed the trials and tribulations that she endured on her road to becoming one of the biggest names in music. And while we love that movie, we also feel that there are still so many people who need to be immortalized in film. Take a look at 15 stars who deserve a biopic.
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Quincy Jones
Jones is the man behind some of the greatest music of the last 50 years, and his story is an interesting one. His list of achievements are endless; most notably, he produced several Michael Jackson albums including Thriller and Off the Wall. But he’s also gone through a great deal. He almost died as a young man in 1974. He suffered an aneurysm that left him so shaken, he decided to attend a memorial service that had been planned for him just in case he didn’t make it. Guests included Marvin Gaye, Richard Pryor, and Sidney Poitier. No doubt, a Quincy Jones biopic would be exhilarating, dramatic, and inspirational.
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Eartha Kitt
With a career that spanned six decades, the singer/actress/activist/mother was a force to be reckoned with. Best known for her turn as Catwoman in the Batman TV series from the ’60s, and Lady Eloise, seductress of Eddie Murphy in Boomerang, Kitt’s roles were quite diverse. She blazed her way through a racially divided Hollywood and went on to have decades worth of singing and acting success.
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Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis
Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis should be part of everyone’s #relationshipgoals. A movie depicting their incredible relationship, civil rights activism, and dynamic careers could be the ultimate cinematic testament to Black love. Together, they were a magnetic coupling, and separately they thrived in their acting careers.
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Bill Cosby
No matter your opinion on Cosby’s recent controversies, there is no denying that he is one of the biggest comedic stars of all time. His prolific career has been sidetracked at times by his public feelings toward some social behaviors in the Black community. And in the last year, his career has been destroyed by allegations of sexual misconduct with dozens of women. His biopic would be a cinematic tug of war—how America’s favorite dad become America’s most vilified entertainer.
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Luther Vandross
From background vocalist to superstar, there’s no denying that Vandross possessed one of the greatest singing voices of our time. There’s also no denying that his private life has always been one of significant speculation and mystery. A real underdog who rose to success, Vandross’s story would make for an excellent movie.
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Aretha Franklin
Franklin’s story is one worthy of a biopic. She worked hard at perfecting her craft, didn’t let the fact that she had her first child at 14 hold her back, overcame alcoholism, as well as some major ups and some major downs. And yet, she has managed to maintain a successful career for more than 60 years. She deserves a biopic ASAP!
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Marvin Gaye
A unique talent who helped create the sound of classic R&B, Marvin Gaye was taken from the world far too soon. But, fortunately, his music has stood the test of time. Gaye was tragically shot dead by his father while intervening in an argument between the man and his mother.
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Janet Jackson
Actress and singer, Jackson survived an abusive childhood, became one of the biggest-selling entertainers of all time and then saw her career derailed by a wardrobe malfunction in front of 90 million people. Jackson tried to put out albums here and there but eventually went into seclusion after getting married. She is now making a comeback. Definitely a magnificent story for the big screen.
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John Lewis
The last living member of the “Big Six” leaders of the civil rights movement (including Martin Luther King Jr., James Farmer, Whitney Young, A Philip Randolph and Roy Wilkins), Lewis’s story is one that should be told. At 75, Lewis remains active in politics and holds a seat in the House of Representatives. A true story of courage, endurance, strength, and positivity, Lewis’s journey would make for a great, educational biopic.
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Sean “Diddy” Combs
Name changes, remixes, Bad Boy, J-Lo, various shootings, Biggie, and Chappelle’s Show skits aside, Sean “Diddy” Combs has led one roller coaster life. We’ve seen a little bit of Diddy’s rise to fame through 2009’s Biggie biopic, Notorious, but there’s so much more to the story of the millionaire rap mogul and the world needs to see it.
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Destiny’s Child
Earlier this year during the Sony hacks, it was uncovered that Matthew Knowles had proposed a Destiny’s Child biopic. While it’s hard to imagine a world where Beyoncé, Kelly, or Michelle would ever allow him to make this happen, we all know it would be the Lifetime movie of the century. Lineup changes, favoritism and jealousy sound like a recipe for one entertaining movie!
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Morgan Freeman
Freeman has portrayed everyone from God to superhero villains, and he’s been through some very interesting things in his private life. A biopic would give us an inside look into Freeman’s world and his outstanding career.
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Tupac Shakur
Though Boyz n the Hood director John Singleton and a slew of others have tried, their attempts to get a Tupac Shakur biopic done have all failed for one reason or another. But it needs to happen. Shakur led a riveting life that included everything from Black Panthers, a successful rap and acting career, jail time, and even a turn as “The Mouse King” in a high school production of the Nutcracker ballet. Now that would be an interesting film. But who could play Shakur?
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Run-D.M.C.
Given how incredibly important hip-hop has become to American culture, it’s interesting that its roots have been heavily neglected in cinema. Run-D.M.C. was one of the most influential acts and could also be credited with being the pioneers of rap-rock after pairing with Aerosmith for the hit single, “Walk This Way.” A biopic about the group would also be one of the first times a movie showcases hip-hop in a more powerful and positive light.
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B.B. King
The world lost one of the greatest musicians in the world last month. Born on a cotton plantation in 1925, B.B. King bought his first guitar at the age of 12 and never looked back. King would go on to become synonymous with the blues. The music legend led a full, unique life and his story should be shared with the world.
