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Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa was an American composer, guitarist, bandleader, actor and outspoken satirist whose career spanned nearly four decades, reshaping the boundaries of rock, jazz, classical and experimental music. Born Frank Vincent Zappa on 1940-12-21 in Baltimore, Maryland, he grew up in a multilingual Italian‑American household, absorbing a bewildering mix of doo‑wop, R&B, and 20th‑century avant‑garde composers such as Varèse and Stravinsky, a blend that would later define his eclectic sound. He taught himself to play drums, percussion and guitar, later forming the groundbreaking band The Mothers of Invention in 1965, whose debut double‑album Freak Out! challenged conventional pop structures with sound collages, satire and complex orchestration. Zappa’s relentless non‑conformist ethos extended beyond music; he directed feature‑length films, designed iconic album covers, and became a vocal advocate for freedom of speech, frequently confronting censorship and legal battles. Throughout the 1970s he explored jazz‑fusion on releases like Hot Rats and Apostrophe (’), while also conducting large‑scale orchestral projects with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra, illustrating his capacity to bridge popular and academic worlds. His later years saw a fascination with digital synthesis, most notably the Synclavier, which he employed to compose intricate electronic works such as The Perfect Stranger and Jazz from Hell. Despite a severe attack in 1971 and a terminal prostate‑cancer diagnosis in 1990, Zappa continued to produce, tour and inspire, leaving a legacy celebrated by a posthumous 1995 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction and a 1997 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He was married twice—first to Kay Sherman (1960‑1963) and later to Gail Sloatman (1967‑1993)—and fathered four children: Moon, Dweezil, Ahmet and Diva.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Frank Zappa, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Frank Zappa rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Frank Vincent Zappa
Born: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Citizenship: American
Birthday: December 21, 1940
Occupations: composer, guitarist, bandleader, actor, comedian, satirist, filmmaker, activist, freedom of speech advocate
Years Active: 1955-1993
Children: 4
Spouses: Kay Sherman, Gail Sloatman
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Movies Featuring Frank Zappa
Zappa
From Straight to Bizarre
Frank Zappa: The Freak Out List
Frank Zappa: A Token Of His Extreme
Super Duper Alice Cooper
Frank Zappa – Summer ’82: When Zappa Came to Sicily
Led Zeppelin Played Here
Feats First: The Life and Music of Lowell George
Frank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The Movie
Marian Briozzo
Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words
Frank Zappa: A Token of His Extreme
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Classic Albums: Frank Zappa - Apostrophe (’) Over-Nite Sensation
Manson: Music From an Unsound Mind
The Boy Who Left Home to Find Out About the Shivers
Frank Zappa: Does Humor Belong in Music?
The Amazing Mr. Bickford
Video from Hell
The True Story of Frank Zappa’s 200 Motels
Frank Zappa: Live in Barcelona
Laurel Canyon
Uncle Meat
Frank Zappa: A Pioneer of the Future of Music
Classic Albums: Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention - Freak Out!
Larry Flynt for President
Steve Vai - His First 30 Years: The Documentary
Frank Zappa: Baby Snakes
Head
The Yellow Shark
The Artist Formerly Known As Captain Beefheart
Hey, Hey, We’re The Monkees
All My Loving
Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention: In the 1960’s
Frank Zappa: The Torture Never Stops
Frank Zappa: We Don’t Mess Around
You Are What You Eat
Deep Purple: Made In Japan
Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution
Frank Zappa
200 Motels
The Big T.N.T. Show
Cover Your Ears
Mondo Hollywood
Frank Zappa: Cheaper Than Cheep
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Frank Zappa, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
2021
Classic Albums: Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention - Freak Out!
Self
Larry Flynt for President
Self (archive footage)
2015
Feats First: The Life and Music of Lowell George
Self (archive footage)
Frank Zappa & The Mothers: Roxy: The Movie
Himself
2014
Super Duper Alice Cooper
Self (archive footage)
Frank Zappa – Summer ’82: When Zappa Came to Sicily
Himself (archive Footage)
Led Zeppelin Played Here
Self (archive footage)
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