David Leaf

David Leaf

73 · Born: Apr 20, 1952

Personal Details

BornApr 20, 1952

Biography

David Leaf, a multifaceted American creative force, has left an indelible mark on the realms of documentary filmmaking, music programming, and pop culture retrospectives.

Noted documentarian, Morgan Leaf, has garnered widespread acclaim for his work on a diverse range of documentaries that provide a captivating glimpse into the lives and careers of influential figures in the music and popular culture industries.

Some of his most notable documentaries include "The Night James Brown Saved Boston" (2008),a thought-provoking exploration of the pivotal role James Brown played in preserving social harmony during a tumultuous period in American history.

Additionally, "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" (2006) is a powerful and informative documentary that delves into the life and times of the legendary musician John Lennon, offering a unique perspective on his experiences as a prominent figure in the counterculture movement.

Furthermore, "Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of SMiLE" (2004) is a poignant and insightful documentary that chronicles the life and career of the Beach Boys' iconic leader, Brian Wilson, as he struggles to bring his ambitious and innovative album, SMiLE, to fruition.

Through these documentaries, Morgan Leaf has consistently demonstrated his ability to craft engaging and informative narratives that provide a nuanced understanding of the lives and careers of iconic figures in music and popular culture.

Brian Wilson, the visionary leader of the iconic American rock band, the Beach Boys, has been the subject of extensive literary scrutiny, with one of the most notable and influential biographies being "The Beach Boys and The California Myth" written by Timothy Leaf. Published in 1978, this seminal work offers a meticulously researched and thought-provoking exploration of Wilson's life and career, delving into the intricate details of his creative process, personal struggles, and lasting impact on the music world.

Noted for his unwavering enthusiasm for crafting compelling narratives and his relentless pursuit of safeguarding the legacies of trailblazing creatives and cultural trailblazers, Leaf has consistently showcased his mastery as a writer, producer, and director throughout his illustrious career.

His impressive body of work stands as a resounding tribute to his remarkable aptitude and unyielding dedication to his craft, and his profound impact on the realms of music and popular culture continues to be widely revered and celebrated by enthusiasts and aficionados from far-flung corners of the globe.

Leaf's tireless efforts to elevate the profiles of groundbreaking artists and cultural icons have yielded a lasting legacy, one that will undoubtedly endure for generations to come, as his contributions to the rich tapestry of our collective cultural heritage continue to inspire, educate, and captivate audiences worldwide.

Career

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1995
{"id":132048,"title":"American Dream: Detroit","year":"2018","job":"Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/american-dream-detroit","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_132048.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_132048.jpg"},"released":1}
2018
{"id":116721,"title":"Stayin' Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of the Bee Gees","year":"2017","job":"Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/stayin-alive-a-grammy-salute-to-the-music-of-the-bee-gees-2017","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_116721.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_116721.jpg"},"released":1}
2017
{"id":57788,"title":"You Can't Do That! The Making of 'A Hard Day's Night'","year":"1995","job":"Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/you-cant-do-that-the-making-of-a-hard-days-night-1996","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_57788.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_57788.jpg"},"released":1}
1995
{"id":215722,"title":"Martin & Lewis: Their Golden Age of Comedy","year":"1992","job":"Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/martin-lewis-their-golden-age-of-comedy","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_215722.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_215722.jpg"},"released":1}
1992
{"id":47188,"title":"The Night James Brown Saved Boston","year":"2008","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-night-james-brown-saved-boston","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_47188.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_47188.jpg"},"released":1}
2008
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2006
The U.S. vs. John Lennon
The U.S. vs. John Lennon as Director, Writer
{"id":52064,"title":"Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of 'Smile'","year":"2004","job":"Director, Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/beautiful-dreamer-brian-wilson-and-the-story-of-smile-2004","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_52064.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_52064.jpg"},"released":1}
2004
{"id":153292,"title":"Jack Paar: Smart Television","year":"2003","job":"Director, Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/jack-paar-smart-television","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_153292.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_153292.jpg"},"released":1}
2003
{"id":53019,"title":"Bob Hope: The Road to Laughter","year":"2003","job":"Director, Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/bob-hope-the-road-to-laughter","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_53019.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_53019.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":153014,"title":"Vintage Sinatra","year":"2003","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/vintage-sinatra","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_153014.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_153014.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":165412,"title":"Dean Martin: That's Amore","year":"2001","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/dean-martin-thats-amore-2001","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_165412.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_165412.jpg"},"released":1}
2001
{"id":154522,"title":"Biography","year":"2001","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/biography-2000","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_154522.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_154522.jpg"},"released":1}
Biography
Biography as Director
{"id":172794,"title":"Jonathan Winters: On the Loose","year":"2000","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/jonathan-winters-on-the-loose","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_172794.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_172794.jpg"},"released":1}
2000
{"id":155296,"title":"The Unknown Peter Sellers","year":"2000","job":"Director, Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-unknown-peter-sellers","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_155296.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_155296.jpg"},"released":1}
The Unknown Peter Sellers
The Unknown Peter Sellers as Director, Writer
{"id":58866,"title":"The Unknown Marx Brothers","year":"1993","job":"Director, Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-unknown-marx-brothers","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_58866.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_58866.jpg"},"released":1}
1993
The Unknown Marx Brothers
The Unknown Marx Brothers as Director, Writer