American Masters, committed to producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.
Program WebsiteMajor support for American Masters is provided by AARP. Additional funding is provided by Rosalind P. Walter, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Ellen and James S. Marcus, Lillian Goldman Programming Endowment, The Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation, Vital Projects Fund, Cheryl and Philip Milstein Family, The André and Elizabeth Kertész Foundation, Lenore Hecht Foundation, Michael & Helen Schaffer Foundation, and public television viewers.
01:28:42
Explore the life and 70-year career of the iconic Latina actor, performer and activist.
24:25
Celebrate the incredible impact Latinos have made in Hollywood — past, present and future.
04:39
Born into slavery, Swann was the first known person to identify as a “Queen of Drag.”
05:38
Crystal was a proud Black trans woman, a drag mother and, a pageant girl.
05:57
Jean Malin was one of the first openly gay performers in the Prohibition era.
06:30
She was an artist, activist, gay mother and mentor to hundreds of queer youth.
06:13
She ran for president in lipstick, heels and eyeshadow.