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Rufus Thomas (1917–2001)

Soundtrack | Actor | Music Department

Born on March 26, 1917, in Cayce, Mississippi, R&B and blues legend Rufus Thomas began his career in the 1930s as a comedian with the Rabbit Foot Minstrels. In the 1940s he was a DJ on Memphis' WDIA radio, one of the few black-owned stations of that time. His talent shows influenced the careers of such R&B greats as Ike Turner... See full bio »

Born:

in Cayce, Mississippi, USA

Died:

(age 84) in Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Still of Carla Thomas and Rufus Thomas in Only the Strong Survive
2 photos | 4 videos | 3 news articles »

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Filmography

Hide HideSoundtrack (21 titles)
2008 Soul Men (writer: "Boogie Ain't Nuttin' But Gettin' Down" / writer: "The Memphis Train" / as Rufus Thomas Jr.)
 
2008 True Blood (TV series)
– Plaisir d'amour (2008) (writer: "Walking the Dog" - uncredited / performer: "Walking the Dog" - uncredited)
 
2007 Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten (documentary) (performer: "The Memphis Train")
 
2006 This Is England (writer: "Do The Dog")
 
2004 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (Video Game) (writer: "Eazy-Er Said Than Dunn")
 
2002 All About the Benjamins (writer: "The Breakdown")
 
2001 American Masters (TV series documentary)
– Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records (2001) (performer: "Bear Cat The Answer To Hound Dog" / as Rufus 'Hound Dog' Thomas Jr.)
 
2001 Scratch (documentary) (performer: "The Itch & Scratch Part 2")
 
2001 Stickmen (performer: "Push and Pull Part One")
 
1999 The Sopranos (TV series)
– Pax Soprana (1999) (performer: "Willy Nilly")
 
1998 All I Wanna Do (writer: "Walkin' the Dog" / performer: "Walkin' the Dog")
 
1996 Keys to Tulsa (writer: "Walkin' the Dog")
 
1995 All Men Are Liars (writer: "Walkin' the Dog")
 
1992 The Cutting Edge (writer: "Walking the Dog")
 
1991 Reasonable Doubts (TV series)
– Hard Bargains (1991) (writer: "Walking the Dog" - uncredited / performer: "Walking the Dog" - uncredited)
 
1990 The Wonder Years (TV series)
– The Powers That Be (1990) (performer: "Walkin' the Dog" - uncredited)
 
1989 Mystery Train (performer: "The Memphis Train")
 
1984 Fame (TV series)
– The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll (1984) (writer: "Walking the Dog")
 
1982 I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can (music: "DO THE DOG" / lyrics: "DO THE DOG")
 
1973 Wattstax (documentary) (performer: "Breakdown", "Funky Chicken")
 
1965 Shindig! (TV series)
– Episode #1.46 (1965) (writer: "Walkin' the Dog")
 
Show ShowActor (5 titles)
1999 Cookie's Fortune
Theo Johnson
 
1996 A Family Thing
Tommy
 
1989 Great Balls of Fire!
Haney's Big House Dancer
 
1989 Mystery Train
Man in Station (segment "Far From Yokohama")
 
1973 Police Story (TV series)
Blackberry
– The Ho Chi Minh Trail (1973) … Blackberry
 
Show ShowMusic Department (1 title)
1989 Aerosmith: Live Texxas Jam '78 (TV special documentary) (composer: song "Walkin' the Dog")
 
Show ShowThanks (2 titles)
2002 Only the Strong Survive (documentary) (dedicatee)
 
2001 American Masters (TV series documentary) (in memory of: 1917-2001 - 1 episode)
– Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records (2001) (in memory of: 1917-2001)
 
Show ShowSelf (23 titles)
2008 Airplay: The Rise and Fall of Rock Radio (documentary)
Himself
 
2007 Great Performances (TV series)
Himself
– Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story (2007) … Himself
 
2003 The Blues (TV series documentary)
Himself
– The Road to Memphis (2003) … Himself
 
2003 Soulsville (documentary short)
Himself
 
2002 Sounds of Memphis (TV documentary)
 
2002 Only the Strong Survive (documentary)
Himself
 
2001 American Masters (TV series documentary)
Himself - Sun Artist
– Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records (2001) … Himself - Sun Artist
 
2001 American Roots Music (TV series documentary)
Himself
– When First Unto This Country (2001) … Himself
 
2001 Walk on By: The Story of Popular Song (TV series documentary)
Himself
– The Road to Rock 'n' Roll (2001) … Himself
 
2001 22nd Annual W.C. Handy Blues Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
2000 21st Annual W.C. Handy Blues Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
2000 Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock'n'Roll (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1997 Elvis: His Life and Times (TV special)
 
1995 Rock & Roll (TV mini-series documentary)
Himself
 
1994 The Memphis Sound: A Tribute to Our City's Music (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1993 Schmidteinander (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #3.8 (1993) … Himself
 
1992 Saturday Night, Sunday Morning: The Travels of Gatemouth Moore (documentary)
 
1977 All You Need Is Love (TV series documentary)
Himself
– God's Children: The Beginnings (1977) … Himself
 
1973 Wattstax (documentary)
Himself
 
1973 Black Omnibus (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.12 (1973) … Himself
 
1971-1972 Soul Train (TV series documentary)
Guest
– Rufus Thomas/The Bar-Kays/Laura Lee (1972) … Guest
– Chairmen of the Board/Rufus Thomas/Laura Lee (1971) … Guest
 
1970 Top of the Pops (TV series)
– Episode dated 23 April 1970 (1970)
 
1964 Ready, Steady, Go! (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #2.15 (1964) … Himself
 

Related Videos

Only the Strong Survive -- In the winning spirit of "Standing in the Shadows of Motown", "Only the Strong Survive" brings together an amazing array of soul music icons! Mystery Train -- Criterion Collection release trailer Cookie's Fortune -- Conflict arises in the small town of Holly Springs when an old woman's death causes a variety of reactions among family and friends.
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Personal Details

Other Works:

CD: "Funkiest Man Alive: Stax Funk Sessions, 1967-1975" (Fantasy) See more »

Publicity Listings:

1 Interview  | See more »
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Did You Know?

Trivia:

R & B Stage Performer still active in 1999. His song "Walking the Dog" was covered by The Rolling Stones on their first album (1964). See more »

Nickname:

The Dog See more »

Star Sign:

Aries