Smokey Robinson
Born
February 19, 1940 (85 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
Detroit, Michigan, USA
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
The Greatest Night in Pop
Self
2024
Soul of a Nation Presents: Black in Vegas
Self
2023
Miracle in Motor City
Self
2021
Aretha Franklin Remembered (My Music)
Self
2019
Hitsville: The Making of Motown
Self
2019
The Apollo
Self
2019
ReMastered: The Two Killings of Sam Cooke
Self
2019
Hitsville US Eh!
Interviewee
2017
Smokey Robinson: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song
Himself
2017
The Art of McCartney
Self
2014
Smokey Robinson - Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park
2013
Rejoice and Shout
2011
Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days
Self (uncredited) (archive footage)
2010
The 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concerts
Self
2009
Michael Jackson Memorial
Self
2009
DJ Juice: The King is Back Mixtape Blend DVD Vol. 70
Self (archive footage)
2009
Motown at the BBC
Self
2009
Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History
Self
2008
Last Holiday
Smokey Robinson
2006
Hollywood Homicide
Cabbie
2003
The Giants of Black Music
Self
2003
It's Black Entertainment
Self
2002
Quincy Jones...The First 50 Years
Self
1998
Motown 40: The Music is Forever
Self
1998
Ready Steady Go! The Sounds of Motown
self
1995
The History of Rock 'n' Roll
Self
1995
Aretha Franklin: Duets
Self
1993
Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues
Self
1988
Knights of the City
Himself
1986
Mirroring Michael Jackson
Self
A Motown Christmas
Self
2024
Beatles '64
Self
2024
American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special
Self
2024
The Jennifer Hudson Show
Self · (2 episodes)
2022
Sherri
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2022
Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over
Self
2021
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Self · (1 episode)
2019
Beat Shazam
Self · (1 episode)
2017
Michael Jackson - The Final Days
self
2014
Who Do You Think You Are?
Self · (1 episode)
2010
The Jay Leno Show
Self · (1 episode)
2009
NPR Tiny Desk Concerts
Self · (1 episode)
2008
Celebrity Duets
(9 episodes)
2006
The Very Best of Smokey Robinson Live In Concert
Himself
2004
On Air with Ryan Seacrest
Self - Performer · (1 episode)
2004
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Self · (1 episode)
2003
American Idol
Self - Guest Judge · (1 episode)
2002
American Idol
Self · (1 episode)
2002
CMT Crossroads
Self · (1 episode)
2002
The Proud Family
(1 episode)
2001
One on One
Duane's Father · (2 episodes)
2001
Hollywood Squares
Self - Panelist · (5 episodes)
1998
The Heaven and Earth Show
(1 episode)
1998
Michael Jackson Talks... to Oprah
Self
1993
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
(1 episode)
1992
The Jim Henson Hour
Himself · (1 episode)
1989
We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song
Self
1985
DTV: Golden Oldies
Self
1984
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
Self
1983
The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour
(1 episode)
1982
The Kennedy Center Honors
Self · (1 episode)
1978
Dinah!
Self · (2 episodes)
1974
American Music Awards
Self - Presenter · (1 episode)
1974
Police Story
(1 episode)
1973
The Midnight Special
Host · (1 episode)
1972
The T.A.M.I. Show
Self - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
1964
The Mike Douglas Show
Self · (2 episodes)
1961
The Grammys
Self · (4 episodes)
1959