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Luther Vandross (1951–2005)

Soundtrack | Music Department | Actor

He was the heartbeat of R&B during the 1980s and 1990s, yet led a productive singing and songwriting life prior to this preeminence. The soul balladeer's strong commitment to the art of music continued on its Grammy-winning course, even after an acute stroke in 2003 left him severely incapacitated and unable to continue public appearances... See full bio »

Born:

Luther Ronzoni Vandross
in New York City, New York, USA

Died:

(age 54) in Edison, New Jersey, USA
Luther Vandross circa 1978 Whitney Houston and Luther Vandross Whitney Houston and Luther Vandross Luther Vandross Luther Vandross circa 1978 Whitney Houston and Luther Vandross
14 photos | 3 videos | 160 news articles »

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Franklin Ojeda Smith - -- "...back in the day the 'barb wire' was more visible" and early on I chose baseball over acting; then academia and not baseball. Now,"...the kids are grown, the dog is dead and now that I may, I choose acting." Please take a look: 1)Boardwalk Empire - Deacon Cuffy 2)Murder Incorporated - Sam Christenson 3)Cayman Went - Aniston Turnkey 4)Letting Go -Therapist 5)Footsteps in the Sand - Jim. Thank You! Franklin

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Filmography

Hide HideSoundtrack (30 titles)
2012 The X Factor Philippines (TV series)
– Top 9 Performance Night (2012) (writer: "Dance with My Father")
 
2011 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (TV series)
– Episode #19.141 (2011) (writer: "Dance with My Father" - uncredited)
 
2011 American Idol (TV series)
– 7 Finalists Compete (2011) ("Dance with my Father")
 
2010 The X Factor (TV series)
– Episode #7.5 (2010) (writer: "Never Too Much" - uncredited)
 
2005-2009 So You Think You Can Dance (TV series)
– Finale: Winner Announced (2009) (writer: "Brand New Day")
– Two of 14 Voted Off (2009) (writer: "Brand New Day")
– The Top 10 Perform (2008) (performer: "Dance With My Father")
– Top 8 (2005) (performer: "Take You Out")
 
2008 Skins (TV series)
– Chris (2008) (performer: "Never Too Much" - uncredited)
 
2006 Everybody Hates Chris (TV series)
– Everybody Hates Father's Day (2006) (performer: "A House Is Not a Home")
 
2004 The Oprah Winfrey Show (TV series)
– Episode dated 6 May 2004 (2004) (performer: "Buy Me A Rose")
 
2004 Barbershop 2: Back in Business (writer: "Never" / performer: "Never")
 
2003 Celebridade (TV series)
– Episode dated 13 October 2003 (2003) (performer: "The Closer I Get to You" - uncredited)
 
2002 Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (Video Game) (writer: "Never Too Much" / performer: "Never Too Much")
 
2001 Glitter (writer: "Never Too Much" / performer: "Never Too Much")
 
2001 Dr. Dolittle 2 (performer: "Take You Out", "If I Was The One")
 
1999/I Black and White (writer: "Hold Your Head" / performer: "Hold Your Head")
 
1999 The Wood (performer: "If This World Were Mine")
 
1995 Money Train (performer: "The Thrill I'm In")
 
1995 The Cannon & Ball Gospel Show (video) (writer: "The Power of Love")
 
1992/I Hero (writer: "Heart of a Hero" 1992 / performer: "Heart of a Hero" 1992 / producer: "Heart of a Hero" 1992)
 
1992 Mo' Money (performer: "The Best Things in Life Are Free")
 
1990 In the Heat of the Night (TV series)
– A Loss of Innocence (1990) (performer: "Here And Now" - uncredited)
 
1990 House Party (writer: "Bad Boy / Having a Party" / performer: "Bad Boy / Having a Party")
 
1987 Made in Heaven (writer: "There's Only You" / performer: "There's Only You" / producer: "There's Only You")
 
1986 Ruthless People (writer: "Give Me The Reason" / performer: "Give Me The Reason")
 
1985 The Goonies (writer: "She's So Good to Me" / performer: "She's So Good to Me" / producer: "She's So Good to Me")
 
1984 Choose Me (writer: "Choose Me You're My Choice Tonight" / producer: "Choose Me You're My Choice Tonight")
 
1981 Bustin' Loose (writer: "You Stopped Loving Me" / performer: "Just When I Needed You")
 
1979 Sunnyside ("I Gotta Have Your Body")
 
1978 The Wiz (writer: "Everybody Rejoice/A Brand New Day")
 
1977 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (TV series)
– Episode dated 14 January 1977 (1977) (writer: "A Brand New Day")
 
1969 Sesame Street (TV series)
– Episode #1.2 (1969) (performer: "You've got to learn something" - uncredited)
 
Show ShowMusic Department (1 title)
1984-1985 Finder of Lost Loves (TV series) (theme sung by - 23 episodes)
– Connections (1985) (theme sung by)
– Broken Promises (1985) (theme sung by)
– Final Analysis (1985) (theme sung by)
– Surrogates (1985) (theme sung by)
– Mister Wonderful (1985) (theme sung by)
See all 23 episodes »
 
Show ShowActor (7 titles)
2002 Touched by an Angel (TV series)
Reggie
– The Impossible Dream (2002) … Reggie
 
1994 In Living Color (TV series)
– Sweet Tooth Jones (1994)
 
1993 The Meteor Man
Jamison
 
1991 Eureeka's Castle (TV series)
Grand Wizard
– Don't Touch That Box! (1991) … Grand Wizard
 
1984 Zack of All Trades (TV series)
Zach (voice)
 
1978 The Wiz
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited)
 
1969 Sesame Street (TV series)
Listen My Brother
– Pilot (1969) … Listen My Brother
 
Show ShowComposer (1 title)
Show ShowSelf (87 titles)
1998-2004 The Oprah Winfrey Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 6 May 2004 (2004) … Himself
– Episode dated 17 February 1999 (1999) … Himself
– Episode dated 31 August 1998 (1998) … Himself
 
2004 Luther Vandross: From Luther with Love - The Videos (video documentary)
Himself
 
2004 The 46th Annual Grammy Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
2002 Best of Bowie (video documentary)
Himself (segment "Young Americans")
 
2002 The 29th Annual American Music Awards (TV special)
Himself - Performer
 
2002 Journeys in Black (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Luther Vandross (2002) … Himself
 
2002 Liza and David (TV special)
Himself
 
2002 The Making and Meaning of 'We Are Family' (documentary)
Himself
 
2001 Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration (TV special documentary)
Himself
 
1999-2001 Hollywood Squares (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 19 October 2001 (2001) … Himself
– Episode dated 18 October 2001 (2001) … Himself
– Episode dated 17 October 2001 (2001) … Himself
– Episode dated 16 October 2001 (2001) … Himself
– Episode dated 15 October 2001 (2001) … Himself
See all 15 episodes »
 
2001 106 & Park Top 10 Live (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 24 September 2001 (2001) … Himself
 
1994-2001 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (TV series)
Himself / Himself - From Las Vegas
– Episode #9.113 (2001) … Himself
– Episode dated 18 August 1998 (1998) … Himself
– Episode #4.65 (1995) … Himself
– Episode #3.166 (1994) … Himself - From Las Vegas
 
2001 1st Annual BET Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1996-2001 The Rosie O'Donnell Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 8 June 2001 (2001) … Himself
– Episode dated 11 September 1998 (1998) … Himself
– Episode dated 24 February 1998 (1998) … Himself
– Episode dated 24 December 1997 (1997) … Himself
– Episode dated 16 December 1997 (1997) … Himself
See all 7 episodes »
 
2001 A.J. After Hours (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 31 May 2001 (2001) … Himself
 
2001 Biography (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Patti LaBelle (2001) … Himself
 
2001 Top Ten (TV series documentary)
Himself
– 80s Soul (2001) … Himself
 
2001 An Evening of Stars: A Celebration of Educational Excellence (TV special documentary)
Himself
 
2001 A Capitol Fourth (TV movie)
Himself
 
2001 2001 Lady of Soul Awards (TV special)
Himself - Host/Performer
 
2000 31st NAACP Image Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1998-1999 Intimate Portrait (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Natalie Cole (1999) … Himself
– Patti LaBelle (1998) … Himself
 
1999 1999 ALMA Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1999 America's Millennium (TV special)
 
1998 Essence Awards (TV movie)
Himself
 
1998 Burt Bacharach: One Amazing Night (TV special documentary)
Performer 'Windows of the World/What the World Needs Now'
 
1998 Motown 40: The Music Is Forever (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1998 The 1998 Soul Train Christmas Starfest (TV movie)
Himself
 
1997 An Audience with the Spice Girls (TV special)
Himself - Performer
 
1997 10th Anniversary Essence Awards (TV movie)
Himself
 
1997 Beverly Hills, 90210 (TV series)
Himself
– My Funny Valentine (1997) … Himself
 
1997 Super Bowl XXXI (TV movie)
Himself - National Anthem Performer
 
1996 Celebrate the Dream: 50 Years of Ebony Magazine (TV special)
Himself
 
1996 New York Undercover (TV series)
Himself
– Toy Soldiers (1996) … Himself
 
1996 The 23rd Annual American Music Awards (TV movie)
Himself
 
1996 Vanessa Williams & Friends: Christmas in New York (TV movie)
Himself
 
1996 Christmas in Washington (TV special)
Himself
 
1995 1995 Billboard Music Awards (TV movie)
Himself
 
1995 Later with Jools Holland (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #6.2 (1995) … Himself
 
1993-1995 Top of the Pops (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 1 February 1995 (1995) … Himself
– Episode dated 24 November 1994 (1994) … Himself
– Episode dated 15 September 1994 (1994) … Himself
– Episode dated 21 May 1993 (1993) … Himself
 
1994 A Gala for the President at Ford's Theatre (TV special)
Himself
 
1994 Luther Vandross: Always and Forever (TV special documentary)
Himself
 
1994 Sinatra Duets (TV special)
Himself
 
1994 The Essence Awards (TV movie)
Himself
 
1989-1994 The Arsenio Hall Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 27 May 1994 (1994) … Himself
– Episode dated 16 August 1993 (1993) … Himself
– Episode dated 5 January 1990 (1990) … Himself
– Episode #1.1 (1989) … Himself
 
1994 The 21st Annual American Music Awards (TV movie)
Himself
 
1993 The Les Brown Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 15 November 1993 (1993) … Himself
 
1993 The O-Zone (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 16 May 1993 (1993) … Himself
 
1993 The 7th Annual Soul Train Music Awards (TV special)
Himself - Host
 
1993 An American Reunion: The People's Inaugural Celebration (TV movie)
Himself
 
1992 Out All Night (TV series)
Himself
– Gentleman's Agreement (1992) … Himself
 
1992 American Bandstand's 40th Anniversary Special (TV movie)
Himself
 
1992 One on One with John Tesh (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.125 (1992) … Himself
 
1992 The 6th Annual Soul Train Music Awards (TV special)
Himself - Host
 
1992 The 34th Annual Grammy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Performer
 
1992 The 19th Annual American Music Awards (TV movie)
Himself
 
1992 Comic Relief V (TV special)
Himself
 
1985-1991 Ebony/Jet Showcase (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 13 September 1991 (1991) … Himself
– Episode dated 17 February 1989 (1989) … Himself
– Episode dated 29 January 1987 (1987) … Himself
– Episode dated 11 October 1985 (1985) … Himself
 
1991 The 5th Annual Soul Train Music Awards (TV special)
Himself - Host
 
1991 Voices that Care (TV documentary)
Himself - Lead Vocals
 
1991 The 33rd Annual Grammy Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1990 Night of 100 Stars III (TV movie)
Himself
 
1990 The 4th Annual Soul Train Music Awards (TV special)
Himself - Host
 
1990 227 (TV series)
Himself
– Do Not Pass Go: Part 2 (1990) … Himself
– Do Not Pass Go: Part 1 (1990) … Himself
 
1990 Dionne and Friends (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.2 (1990) … Himself
 
1990 The 16th Annual People's Choice Awards (TV movie)
Himself - Co-Presenter: Favourite Late Night Talk Show Host
 
1990 Smokey Robinson: The Quiet Legend (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1989 The 31st Annual Grammy Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1979-1989 Saturday Night Live (TV series)
Himself - Musical Guest / Himself - Midler Backing Vocalist
– Ted Danson/Luther Vandross (1989) … Himself - Musical Guest
– Bruce Dern/Luther Vandross (1982) … Himself - Musical Guest
– Buck Henry/Bette Midler (1979) … Himself - Midler Backing Vocalist (uncredited)
 
1989 Family Feud (TV series)
Himself - Contestant
– Grammy Family Feud (1989) … Himself - Contestant
 
1988 Cissy Houston: Sweet Inspiration (documentary)
Himself
 
1988 The 9th Annual American Black Achievement Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1985-1987 Solid Gold (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #7.48 (1987) … Himself
– Episode #7.11 (1986) … Himself
– Episode #6.8 (1985) … Himself
 
1987 The 1st Annual Soul Train Music Awards (TV special)
Himself - Co-Host
 
1987 The 14th Annual American Music Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1987 The 8th Annual Black Achievement Awards (TV movie)
Himself
 
1987 The 29th Annual Grammy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Performer
 
1987 19th Annual NAACP Image Awards (TV special)
Himself - Presenter
 
1982-1986 Soul Train (TV series documentary)
Himself / Himself - Guest
– Luther Vandross (1986) … Himself
– Luther Vandross/Cheryl Lynn (1982) … Himself - Guest
 
1985-1986 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 28 October 1986 (1986) … Himself
– Episode dated 13 December 1985 (1985) … Himself
 
1985 The Patti LaBelle Show (TV special)
Himself
 
1985 Today (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 1 August 1985 (1985) … Himself
 
1985 6.20 Soul Train (TV series)
Himself - Performer
– Episode dated 5 July 1985 (1985) … Himself - Performer
 
1985 Motown Returns to the Apollo (TV special)
Himself
 
1983 The 25th Annual Grammy Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1982 The 24th Annual Grammy Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1969 Sesame Street (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.5 (1969) … Himself (as Listen My Brother)
– Episode #1.2 (1969) … Himself (as Listen My Brother)
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (1 title)
2003 Top of the Pops 2 (TV series)
 

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Personal Details

Other Works:

Album: "I Know," 1999. See more »

Publicity Listings:

6 Articles  | 1 Magazine Cover Photo  | See more »

Official Sites:

Official Site | See more »

Alternate Names:

Listen My Brother

Height:

6' 2½" (1.89 m)
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Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

It was the women [Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, The Supremes] who drove me to the stereo. Men feel they have something to prove. They don't trust their automatic pilot chops. Females do. They go on deeper dramatic trips, take more chances. Put it out there with greater flair. See more »

Trivia:

Was released from the hospital after having a stroke April 16, 2003 and underwent therapy. See more »

Nickname:

Ronnie See more »

Star Sign:

Aries