Person

Smokey Robinson

Acting · Born 1940-02-19 · Detroit, Michigan, USA

Biography

William "Smokey" Robinson Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson was the founder and frontman of the Motown vocal group the Miracles, for which he was also chief songwriter and producer. Robinson led the group from its 1955 origins as "the Five Chimes" until 1972, when he announced a retirement from the group to focus on his role as Motown's vice president. However, Robinson returned to the music industry as a solo artist the following year. Following the sale of Motown Records in 1988, Robinson left the company in 1990. Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and was awarded the 2016 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for his lifetime contributions to popular music.

Known for

Filmography

2024A Motown ChristmasSelf
2024Beatles '64Self
2024American Music Awards 50th Anniversary SpecialSelf
2024The Greatest Night in PopSelf
2023Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed SullivanSelf
2023Soul of a Nation Presents: Black in VegasSelf
2022The Jennifer Hudson ShowSelf
2022SherriSelf - Guest
2021Miracle in Motor CitySelf
2021Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me OverSelf
2020Unfiltered: Paris Jackson & Gabriel GlennSelf
2019Aretha Franklin Remembered (My Music)Self
2019The Kelly Clarkson ShowSelf
2019Hitsville: The Making of MotownSelf
2019The ApolloSelf
2019ReMastered: The Two Killings of Sam CookeSelf
2017SteveSelf
2017Hitsville US Eh!Interviewee
2017Beat ShazamSelf
2017Smokey Robinson: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular SongHimself
2016SoundbreakingSelf
2014The Art of McCartneySelf
2014Michael Jackson - The Final Daysself
2013Smokey Robinson - Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park
2011Rejoice and Shout
2011The VoiceSelf
2010Who Do You Think You Are?Self
2010Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny DaysSelf (uncredited) (archive footage)
2009The 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ConcertsSelf
2009The Jay Leno ShowSelf
2009Michael Jackson MemorialSelf
2009DJ Juice: The King is Back Mixtape Blend DVD Vol. 70Self (archive footage)
2009Motown at the BBCSelf
2008Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical HistorySelf
2008NPR Tiny Desk ConcertsSelf
2006Celebrity Duets
2006Last HolidaySmokey Robinson
2004ToddWorldTheme Song Performance
2004The Very Best of Smokey Robinson Live In ConcertHimself
2004On Air with Ryan SeacrestSelf - Performer
2003The Ellen DeGeneres ShowSelf
2003Hollywood HomicideCabbie
2003The Giants of Black MusicSelf
2003Jimmy Kimmel Live!Self - Musical Guest
2002American IdolSelf - Guest Judge
2002It's Black EntertainmentSelf
2002CMT CrossroadsSelf
2002Mr. Bill Does Vegas
2001The Proud Family
2001One on OneDuane's Father
1998Hollywood SquaresSelf - Panelist
1998The Heaven and Earth Show
1998Quincy Jones... The First 50 YearsSelf
1998Motown 40: The Music Is ForeverSelf
1995Ready Steady Go! The Sounds of MotownSelf
1993Aretha Franklin: DuetsSelf
1993Michael Jackson Talks... to OprahSelf
1992The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1989The Jim Henson HourSelf
1988Michael Jackson: The Legend ContinuesSelf
1986Knights of the CityHimself
1985We Are the World: The Story Behind the SongSelf
1984DTV: Golden OldiesSelf
1983Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, ForeverSelf
1982The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour
1978The Kennedy Center HonorsSelf
1977Big TimeWriter
1974Dinah!Self
1974American Music AwardsSelf - Presenter
1973Police Story
1972The Midnight SpecialSelf
1964The T.A.M.I. ShowSelf - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
1964Top of the PopsSelf
1961The Mike Douglas ShowSelf
1959The GrammysSelf
—The Sound of Protest

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