The lives you think you know may have backstories you haven't heard; explore the biographies of the famous and infamous in this collection.

Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast, is the world’s first digital philanthropist. After becoming obsessed with YouTube at a young age, Jimmy built a viral video empire based on the joy he gets from helping others.

Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast, is the world’s first digital philanthropist. Jimmy built a viral video empire based on the joy he gets from helping others.

MrBeast

Before they led America through national crises, Presidents Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson were all transformed by personal trauma. Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin reveals the all too human men who became legends.

Presidents In Crisis

Pulitzer prize-winning historian David McCullough explores how the Wright Brothers achieved the impossible -- and did it without formal education, government support or powerful friends.

The Wright Brothers

This documentary feature chronicles the amazing life story of Joseph Greenstein, “The Mighty Atom – Strongest Man In The World”. Given a death sentence as a young child, standing only 5’4”, Greenstein would go on to create and master unusual feats of strength.

This documentary feature chronicles the amazing life story of Joseph Greenstein, “The Mighty Atom – Strongest Man In The World”.

The Mighty Atom

The incredible true story of the renowned magician turned skeptic and exposer of frauds and hoaxes, James "The Amazing" Randi.

An Honest Liar

Go beyond the legends and clichés to discover the real St. Patrick: a fifth-century Christian who was brought to Ireland as a slave, where he labored six long years before finally escaping, only to voluntarily return to bring his message of peace to the Irish people.

Go beyond the legends and clichés to discover the real St. Patrick.

St. Patrick: Pilgrimage To Peace

Widely regarded as the first woman of Native American and African American descent to have a pilot’s license, Bessie Coleman has long inspired women like her to reach their dreams. Unfortunately, her career ended with a tragic plane crash — but her legacy lives on.

Widely regarded as the first woman of African American descent to have a pilot’s license, Bessie Coleman soared across the sky.

Bessie Coleman: Queen of the Skies

It took an extraordinary set of circumstances to bring Abraham Lincoln to the White House. Violence in the streets... and in the U.S. capital. Dueling Newspapers. An unpredictable election with four main candidates, and an obscure frontier lawyer destined for greatness.

An in depth look at the events surrounding Lincoln's election. An unpredictable election with four main candidates, and an obscure frontier lawyer destined for greatness.

The Rise of Lincoln

In 2003 Vladimir Putin publicly caged and exiled the richest man in Russia. When Oligarchs asked how to avoid that fate, Putin responded: “50 percent.” In one bold stroke, Putin spread fear and consolidated his power. The inside story of Russia’s super-rich and the man who rules over them.

With war raging in Ukraine, the oligarchs are caught between sanctions in the west and a backlash at home. Inside Russia’s super-rich and the man who rules over them.

Putin and the Oligarchs

Dean Reed's story is the story of a wild and changing world. Through the prism of his life, we witness global youth rebellion, revolutions in popular music, and the shifting tectonics of superpower rivalry.

This is the forgotten story of a 1960's American teen idol who defected to the Soviet Bloc and became a superstar. And then he disappeared.

Red Elvis: The Cold War Cowboy

When the lost tomb of King Tut is opened in 1922, it's not only the famous Curse that is unleashed. Fashion, movies and architecture all come under the pharaoh's spell as the world goes mad for Tut-mania. Discover how a 3,000-year-old teenager becomes a celebrity pharaoh and changes the modern world

When the lost tomb of an obscure teenage pharaoh is opened in 1922, Tut-mania is born and the world goes mad for his gold, his eye-liner and his Curse.

King Tut

It takes just 25 years for Genghis Khan to conquer the greatest land empire the world has ever seen. It's said he's responsible for over 40 million deaths, and even now 16 million people carry his personal DNA.

GENGHIS KHAN - the myth and the man: find out if the greatest conqueror the world has ever seen is the world's greatest villain or a hero of history.

Genghis Khan

Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman Loera. You know him as El Chapo – a ruthless drug lord who became famous for using slick maneuvers to evade capture. But Chapo is not only a dark and devious character. He is also a wildly successful billionaire entrepreneur with business acumen.

Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman Loera. You know him as El Chapo – a ruthless drug lord who became famous for using slick maneuvers to evade capture.

CEO of Sinaloa

British actor Michael Enright rose to fame in Hollywood and then did something most of us would never dream of doing… he gave it all up for a chance to join the fight against ISIS with the Kurdish forces, known as the YPG, as they battled on the front lines in Syria.

British actor Michael Enright rose to fame in Hollywood and then gave it all up to join the fight against ISIS with the Kurdish forces, known as the YPG.

Heval

Mata Hari is the very epitome of beauty and feminine seduction. Who is this woman, who exerts a hold over our imagination to this very day? Did Mata Hari really betray secrets revealed to her by influential lovers in moments of weakness?

Mata Hari is the very epitome of beauty and feminine seduction. Who is this woman, who exerts a hold over our imagination to this very day?

Mata Hari - The Beautiful Spy

He is revered in China as a Buddha, as the 'Schindler of Nanking'. But his deeds have barely been recognized in the West. The German John Rabe, a Siemens manager and fervent admirer of the 'Führer', saved the lives of more than 200,000 Chinese in 1937.

John Rabe is revered in China as a Buddha, as the 'Schindler of Nanking'. But his deeds have barely been recognized in the West.

John Rabe – The Schindler of Nanking

Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi would have been 100 years in October 2019. His wealth was legendary, and his marriages made tabloid headlines for years. However, his name also stands for a time of human rights violations, vicious oppression, and intolerance.

Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi would have been 100 years in October 2019. The Shah's story begins with good ideas and ideals and ends in bloody chaos.

The Last Persian Shah

Take a trip down memory lane with acclaimed director Doug Liman, of Swingers and Bourne Identity fame, as we see his very first short films and hear first-hand the lessons learned before Hollywood came calling.

Take a trip down memory lane with director Doug Liman as we see his very first short films and hear first-hand the lessons learned before Hollywood came calling.

Before Hollywood: Doug Liman

Leonardo da Vinci: the most famous, most admired of all painters. Yet, the man himself remains elusive. Old accounts describe someone too handsome, too strong, too perfect to be accurate. Then, a chance discovery takes the art world by storm. Could it be an unknown self-portrait by da Vinci?

Leonardo da Vinci is an iconic painter, yet the man himself has remained elusive. Then, a chance discovery takes the art world by storm. Could it be his self-portrait?

Leonardo: The Mystery of the Lost Portrait

Harrison Ford gives voice to the first man to walk on the moon. ARMSTRONG tells the definitive life story of Neil Armstrong: from his childhood in rural Ohio, through aerial combat in Korea, to his first steps on the Moon – and the unwanted celebrity...

Harrison Ford gives voice to the first man to walk on the moon. ARMSTRONG tells the definitive life story of Neil Armstrong:

Armstrong

Meet the Father of Our Country in a whole new way as historians analyze George Washington's voluminous correspondence. Setting out his contacts and letters in the modern framework of a Facebook profile gives Washington's busy and productive career a new transparency.

#GeorgeWashington

Author and historian Howard Means reveals the real story of the man who inspired the legend of Johnny Appleseed and the impact he had on pioneers settling the American frontier.

Who Was Johnny Appleseed?

At age 19, on a missionary trip to a clinic in Brazil, Kristen Bell helped to deliver two babies. The experience ignited her nurturing nature, which endures today in good works like the snack bars “This Saves Lives” and the organization she co-founded, “No Kid Hungry.”

At age 19, on a missionary trip to a clinic in Brazil, Kristen Bell helped to deliver two babies. The experience ignited her nurturing nature, which endures today.

Kristen Bell

Shaquille O’Neal went from being poor and bullied – and becoming a bully himself – to fame in the NBA. The greatest influence on Shaq’s life was his step-father, who taught him that “true pressure is not knowing where your next meal is coming from.”

Shaquille O’Neal went from being poor and bullied – and becoming a bully himself – to fame in the NBA. The greatest influence on Shaq’s life was his step-father.

Shaquille O'Neal

At age 20 Samuel L. Jackson served as an usher at Martin Luther King’s funeral. Jackson and his wife LaTanya have fought for civil rights around the world, but their greatest satisfactions are hand written thank you notes from children they have supplied with books.

At age 20 Samuel L. Jackson served as an usher at Martin Luther King’s funeral. Jackson and his wife LaTanya have fought for civil rights around the world.

Samuel L. Jackson & LaTanya Richardson Jackson

Inspired by his mother to be “of service”, LeVar Burton entered the seminary at 13 years old. But after deciding the church didn’t have the answers to his many questions about life, he changed his focus to theater arts, ultimately becoming known for Roots, Reading Rainbow, and Star Trek.

LeVar Burton entered the seminary at 13 years old. But after deciding the church didn’t have the answers to his questions about life he changed his focus to theater.

LeVar Burton

These are the intriguing people who capture our attention, fill our social feeds and shape pop culture. In this episode, an intimate portrait of NFL legend Joe Namath, including his journey to help fellow players deal with long-term brain trauma.

Joe Namath grew up in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. After his parent’s divorce, Joe turns to sports.

Joe Namath

This is the untold story of space visionary Gerard K. O'Neill, who wrote the 1977 book "The High Frontier: Human Colonies in Space." The Princeton physicist sparked a grassroots movement to build Earth-like habitats in space with the hope of solving Earth's greatest crises.

The untold story of Gerard K. O'Neill whose 1977 book "The High Frontier: Human Colonies in Space" sparked a grassroots movement to build Earth-like habitats in space.

The High Frontier: The Untold Story of Gerard K. O'Neill

Return to President John F. Kennedy’s early years as an adventurous student in the 1930s as he travels across the Atlantic, discovers his love for Europe and searches for his path in life.

Return to JFK’s early years as an adventurous student in the 1930s as he travels across the Atlantic, discovers his love for Europe and searches for his path in life.

JFK’s Love for Europe

Photographer Harry Burton’s images of the Tutankhamun excavation created a global sensation in the 1920s and are still studied by Egyptologists today. Explore the spectacular locations where he worked and discover why Burton’s photographs inspired a craze for Egyptian designs.

Photographer Harry Burton’s images of the Tutankhamun excavation created a global sensation in the 1920s. Discover why his King Tut photographs are still studied today.

The Man Who Shot Tutankhamun

Follow the life and legacy of Cecil: one of the world's most famous lions. The ultimate big cat king, Cecil was a warrior, a father and a loyal brother, but his untimely death at the hands of an illegal hunt in Zimbabwe spelled the end of his extraordinary reign.

Follow the life and legacy of Cecil: one of the world's most famous lions. A warrior, father and brother, his reign was cut short after an illegal hunt in Zimbabwe.

Cecil: The Legacy of a King

On October 1, 1949, after years of revolutionary struggle, Mao Zedong proclaims the People's Republic of China, aiming to restore its legendary strength and past glory.

Mao: Founder of Modern China?

An original series that tells the often unknown stories of the men and women who have defined America and its place in the world.

American Icons

Traitor/Patriot gives you an insider's look at the motivation behind the people who committed espionage.

Traitor/Patriot

Inspiration, power, greed, scandal—a story that was made for the movies. The gripping drama of how Hollywood was built.

Titans: The Rise of Hollywood

Money made America a global empire, and for the last 150 years, America’s riches have been controlled by the titans of Wall Street.

Titans: The Rise of Wall Street

Featuring profiles on some of the world’s favorite comedy stars. Barry Cryer, recalls some of his funniest moments working with each of them

Comedy Legends (Season 1)

Comedy Legends (Season 2)

Comedy Legends (Season 3)

Comedy Legends (Season 4)

Journey into the lives of the planet’s billionaire innovators. Discover how they’ve shaped our lives.

Tycoons

The relationship between music and film is nearly as old as cinema itself.

Great Film Composers

We will take a look into the lives of 22 inventors and see how they work, invent and most of all think!

Power & Tech (Season 2)

Explore the mystery behind JFK's assassination through first-hand accounts, expert analysis and newly-released government documents.

JFK: The Final Evidence

Celebrating the world's most notable people, including: explorers, leaders, and legends in art and entertainment.