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The Best Episodes of Biography Season 5

Every episode of Biography Season 5 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Biography Season 5!

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Biography is a documentary television series. It was originally a half-hour filmed series produced for CBS by David Wolper from 1961 to 1964 and hosted by Mike Wallace. The A&E Network later re-ran it and

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  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Biography Season 5 Episode 1 - Abbott and Costello
    7.0/10(99 votes)

    #1 - Abbott and Costello

    S5:E1

    Abbott and Costello were one of America’s most beloved comedy duos, blending sharp timing with timeless humor. Bud Abbott, the straight man, and Lou Costello, the bumbling comic, rose to fame in the 1940s through radio, film, and television. Their signature routine, “Who’s on First?”, became a cultural landmark, showcasing their mastery of wordplay and rhythm. Together, they starred in classics like Buck Privates and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, bringing laughter to audiences during wartime and beyond. Though their partnership ended in the 1950s, their influence on comedy endures—an unforgettable mix of wit, warmth, and chaos that defined an era.

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  2. Biography Season 5 Episode 2 - Abraham Lincoln: Preserving the Union
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #2 - Abraham Lincoln: Preserving the Union

    S5:E2

    Abraham Lincoln rose from a frontier log cabin to become America’s 16th president, leading the nation through the Civil War and preserving the Union. Self‑taught and driven, he became a lawyer, legislator, and a central figure in the new Republican Party. Elected in 1860, he guided the country through secession, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and delivered the Gettysburg Address—an enduring statement of democratic ideals. His leadership ended tragically when he was assassinated in 1865, but his legacy as the Great Emancipator and defender of self‑government remains unmatched.

    Director:Unknown
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  3. Biography Season 5 Episode 3 - Adam & Eve: Lost Innocence
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #3 - Adam & Eve: Lost Innocence

    S5:E3

    They were the world's first people, the first to live, the first to love, the first to yield to temptation. According to Genesis, God created Adam from the dust of the earth, then formed Eve from Adam's rib. Their simple story of temptation and innocence lost has endured and resonated in the hearts of Westerners for thousands of years. As a creation legend, morality play and love story, the tale of Adam and Eve has always been a source of fascination. This extraordinary program combines expert interviews, abundant location footage and rare paintings and artifacts to create a unique portrait of the two people who started it all. This is an in-depth look at Adam and Eve, the man and woman who gave humans their humanity.

    Director:Unknown
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  4. Biography Season 5 Episode 4 - Admiral Chester Nimitz: Thunder of the Pacific
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #4 - Admiral Chester Nimitz: Thunder of the Pacific

    S5:E4

    He held the U.S. Navy together while America struggled to rebound from Pearl Harbor, and his cunning strategies eventually led the U.S. to WWII victory. When the United States was suddenly plunged into the second world war, a courageous and resourceful leader was needed to take command of the Navy in the Pacific. The man chosen for the job was Admiral Chester Nimitz, and he was given the vital responsibility of turning a shattered American fleet into the most devastating naval power in history. From his childhood in Fredericksburg, Texas, to the historic moment when he signed the Japanese statement of surrender aboard the USS Missouri, Biography chronicles the life and distinguished military career of this much celebrated admiral. Featuring interviews with military experts, friends, family, and colleagues, the biography of Admiral Chester Nimitz is filled with determination, fearlessness, and conviction.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Biography Season 5 Episode 5 - Albert DeSalvo: The Boston Strangler
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #5 - Albert DeSalvo: The Boston Strangler

    S5:E5

    Albert DeSalvo was a Massachusetts criminal who became widely known as the self‑proclaimed “Boston Strangler,” a name linked to a series of brutal murders of women in the early 1960s. Raised in poverty and marked by abuse, DeSalvo developed a long record of theft, assault, and impersonation. He was first arrested for a string of “Green Man” sexual assaults, during which he confessed to the Strangler killings while in custody. Though his confession was detailed, he was never actually tried for the murders; instead, he received a life sentence for unrelated crimes. DeSalvo’s claims have remained controversial, with doubts about his guilt persisting long after his death in prison.

    Director:Unknown
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  6. Biography Season 5 Episode 6 - Alexander Graham Bell: Voice of Invention
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #6 - Alexander Graham Bell: Voice of Invention

    S5:E6

    His drive to help his deaf mother communicate led to one of the most important inventions of the 20th century. But the telephone was only one of many notable contributions he made to fields ranging from medicine to aviation. Alexander Graham Bell left his mark on the world with the invention of the telephone. But he might have been a footnote in history if not for his lawyer, who filed for the patent a mere two hours before his rival Elisha Gray, who had also unraveled the mysteries of communicating by wire. From his childhood in Scotland and his long struggle to get out from under his father's shadow to the invention of the precursors to the X-ray machine and Iron Lung, Biography traces the life of the famed inventor. Discover how he saved National Geographic from financial ruin, and why Helen Keller dedicated her autobiography to him! Biography proudly presents a tribute to a man whose life and genius touched millions.

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  7. Biography Season 5 Episode 7 - Albert DeSalvo: The Boston Strangler
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #7 - Albert DeSalvo: The Boston Strangler

    S5:E7

    Albert DeSalvo was a Massachusetts criminal who became widely known as the self‑proclaimed “Boston Strangler,” a name linked to a series of brutal murders of women in the early 1960s. Raised in poverty and marked by abuse, DeSalvo developed a long record of theft, assault, and impersonation. He was first arrested for a string of “Green Man” sexual assaults, during which he confessed to the Strangler killings while in custody. Though his confession was detailed, he was never actually tried for the murders; instead, he received a life sentence for unrelated crimes. DeSalvo’s claims have remained controversial, with doubts about his guilt persisting long after his death in prison.

    Director:Unknown
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  8. Biography Season 5 Episode 8 - Annie Oakley: Crack Shot in Petticoats
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #8 - Annie Oakley: Crack Shot in Petticoats

    S5:E8

    She was the world’s greatest female sharp shooter of her day. Her legend—while rife with contradictions—has been the source of endless films, books, and theatrical productions. Inspired by the skill of her father, the young girl from Ohio who would later become the famous Annie Oakley, began her shooting career out of pure necessity. Upon the death of her father, Annie supported her family by shooting game in order to put food on the table. Her unmatched proficiency soon led her to participate in shooting competitions. After witnessing one of these performances, the renowned Sioux chief, Sitting Bull, gave her the nickname “Little Miss Sure Shot.” From her troubled childhood to her raving success with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, this is the saga of the conservative Victorian woman who turned the American frontier upside down with her unrivaled bravado and skill.

    Director:Unknown
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  9. Biography Season 5 Episode 9 - Audie Murphy: Great American Hero
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #9 - Audie Murphy: Great American Hero

    S5:E9

    Audie Murphy was one of America’s most celebrated World War II heroes, receiving 33 military decorations. Yet despite winning immense national acclaim, he never escaped the pain and trauma of the battle that made him an icon. From his difficult childhood in Texas to his tragic death at 46, Audie Murphy: Great American Hero offers a rare glimpse into Murphy’s valorous and tumultuous life. Follow the young soldier into action in Italy, France and Germany, and hear from the men who fought alongside him. Accompany Murphy as he parlays his heroic status into a career as an actor and writer while enduring an ongoing struggle with battle fatigue and drug abuse. Through clips, newsreel footage, and the memories of those who knew him, Audie Murphy: Great American Hero recounts the laudatory and tragic tale of a truly remarkable man.

    Director:Unknown
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  10. Biography Season 5 Episode 10 - Confucius: Words of Wisdom
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #10 - Confucius: Words of Wisdom

    S5:E10

    In an age of intrigue and vice, he was a voice of morality and virtue. Twenty-five hundred years after his death, he is revered as one of the greatest teachers in history, even credited as galvanizing East Asia's current "economic miracle." Confucius's name is synonymous with ageless wisdom. Biography journeys back into China's troubled feudal era to uncover his dramatic story, from his childhood poverty and long road to enlightenment to his years as a celebrated teacher. Leading scholars reveal why his message of "five virtues" was not always accepted by the period's leaders and interviews with a direct descendant provide a personal glimpse into Confucius's legend. Confucius: Words of Wisdom explores the life and legacy of the ancient sage whose timeless message remains deeply influential to this day.

    Director:Unknown
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  11. Biography Season 5 Episode 11 - Conrad Hilton: Innkeeper to the World
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #11 - Conrad Hilton: Innkeeper to the World

    S5:E11

    He began his career as an unknown entrepreneur in the tiny town of Cisco, Texas. Today, his name graces some of the world's most prestigious addresses. The son of a humble shopkeeper, Conrad Hilton built a billion-dollar hotel empire from the ground up-and nothing, not even the Depression, could stop him. Biography narrates the comprehensive story of Hilton's colorful life, from his first hotel-a rundown Texas inn-to his acquisition of the Waldorf Astoria. Friends and family recall his early adventures-including friendships with presidents and glamorous relationships with Hollywood's elite-and rare photographs and archival footage offer an inside glimpse into an unpredictable life of extraordinary success. Join Biography for the rags-to-riches story of Conrad Hilton, self-made billionaire and "innkeeper to the world."

    Director:Unknown
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  12. Biography Season 5 Episode 12 - David and Goliath: A Biblical Battle
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #12 - David and Goliath: A Biblical Battle

    S5:E12

    His unerring courage made him one of history's most beloved kings. Chosen by God to be the next ruler of Israel, David was a mere shepherd boy when he walked onto the field and slew the Philistine giant Goliath. He was a hero to his people and conqueror of the holy city of Jerusalem. He ruled peacefully for over 40 years. But with one terrible mistake, a restless King David set in motion a string of tragedies that nearly destroyed his family and his kingdom. This extraordinary program tells David's complete story, drawing on rare paintings and artifacts, interviews with experts and extensive visits to ancient holy lands. Here is an intimate look at the triumphs, passions and failures of one of the Old Testament's greatest heroes the legendary King David.

    Director:Unknown
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  13. Biography Season 5 Episode 13 - Edward VIII: The Traitor King
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #13 - Edward VIII: The Traitor King

    S5:E13

    Edward VIII, born in 1894, was the charismatic yet controversial King of the United Kingdom who abdicated the throne in 1936 to marry American divorcée Wallis Simpson, a decision that shook the monarchy. His brief reign was marked by charm and modernity but overshadowed by scandal and political tension. After abdication, he became the Duke of Windsor and lived in exile, his reputation further tarnished by alleged sympathies toward Nazi Germany during World War II—earning him the moniker “The Traitor King.” Despite his royal birth, Edward’s pursuit of personal happiness over duty left a legacy of romance, rebellion, and enduring controversy.

    Director:Unknown
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  14. Biography Season 5 Episode 14 - Evita: The Woman Behind the Myth
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #14 - Evita: The Woman Behind the Myth

    S5:E14

    To some, she was a hero. To others, she was a symbol of naked ambition. To the world, she remains a legend. María Eva Duarte de Perón—Evita—is one of the most controversial figures in history. A minor actress when she married Argentine president-to-be Juan Peron, her political power and prestige eventually equaled, or perhaps eclipsed, his. Was she a power-hungry opportunist, as detractors claim? Or was she really the savior of the working poor? In this remarkable program, rare photographs and films tell Evita’s real story, from her humble birth to her tragic death from cancer at 33. Close aides and bitter enemies offer firsthand accounts, and popular artists—including playwright Tim Rice—consider why she continues to fascinate us today. Join Biography for an unforgettable look at a 20th-century icon!

    Director:Unknown
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  15. Biography Season 5 Episode 15 - Fidel Castro: El Comandante
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #15 - Fidel Castro: El Comandante

    S5:E15

    He stood defiantly at the center of some of the worst crises of the Cold War. After over 40 years of rule, he remains one of the most controversial political figures of all time. Join Biography for a revealing portrait of Fidel Castro, the last great communist leader. Fidel Castro led a remarkable three-year fight to rescue his country from a corrupt regime. Yet this rebel leader—who once claimed that he wasn’t interested in leading the new government—became a tyrant, imprisoning and executing thousands of political opponents in the process of transforming his nation. Through rare archival footage and personal interviews, this extraordinarily insightful program explores the life, rise, and rule of this iconically bearded, cigar-smoking Cuban leader known to many as El Comandante.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Biography Season 5 Episode 16 - Hatfields & McCoys: An American Feud
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #16 - Hatfields & McCoys: An American Feud

    S5:E16

    It lasted over a decade and claimed a dozen lives. But the feud that has been immortalized in folklore wasn't nearly as bad as many others it just got more press. The Hatfields and McCoys lived along the Tug Fork River on the Kentucky-West Virginia border in the late 1800s. According to most, their feud began when Floyd Hatfield took a hog from Randolph McCoy in 1878. By the time everything was settled 11 years later a dozen folks were dead and the national press had turned the feud into front-page news. In this definitive BIOGRAPHY historians and descendants of feud members help separate legend from reality as both sides are presented. Discover the forbidden romance that flamed the fires, relive the fatal encounters, and follow contemporary accounts. Journey to the rugged Appalachians for the real story of the most famous feud in American history.

    Director:Unknown
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  17. Biography Season 5 Episode 17 - Henry VIII: Scandals of a King
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #17 - Henry VIII: Scandals of a King

    S5:E17

    Everyone knows the story of the many wives of Henry VIII. But that sordid tale is but a small part of the life of a remarkable leader who led his country for almost four decades. One of the best-known monarchs in history, Henry VIII was coronated at the age of 18. Join leading historians as they explore the life and 38-year reign of the legendary king who transformed his nation. Find out how he used his political brilliance to united England and Wales and establish the Kingdom of Ireland. And discover the complete story behind his most lasting accomplishment the creation of the Church of England. Learn the ironic end to his quest for a son, which led to his many marriages, and explore how his legacy continues to shape England to this day. Biography presents a searching profile of one of history's most capricious and powerful kings.

    Director:Unknown
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  18. Biography Season 5 Episode 18 - Jeffrey Dahmer: The Monster Within
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #18 - Jeffrey Dahmer: The Monster Within

    S5:E18

    Jeffrey Dahmer was not a typical serial killer. He did not come from an abusive, impoverished, or violent background. On the contrary, his father was a learned chemist who taught Jeffrey how to garden, play tennis, and raise sheep for 4-H competitions. He took scouting trips and played in his wooded backyard with neighborhood boys. He spoke in a monotone voice much like his father and tended to keep his private thoughts to himself; but he always had a sense of humor. What tormented Jeff and drove him to kill in a macabre and disturbing pattern had nothing to do with his environment. There is no single catalyst that can explain the presence of evil in the likes of someone like Jeffrey Dahmer. A host of factors eclipsed each other and converged upon this man to make him what he was. Jeffrey, it seems, chose and was forced down, all the wrong paths in his life. Jeffrey said he never acted out of hate, but was guided by a sickness he could never satiate.

    Director:Unknown
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  19. Biography Season 5 Episode 19 - John F. Kennedy Jr.: Child of a Dream
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #19 - John F. Kennedy Jr.: Child of a Dream

    S5:E19

    In the aftermath of his father’s assassination, he was fixed in our collective memory as the small boy bravely saluting the final act of Camelot’s brief glory. Later, he became the ultimate eligible bachelor and high-profile torch-bearer of the “Kennedy mystique.” But when John F. Kennedy, Jr. lost his life in yet another of the Kennedy family’s front-page tragedies, many knew him only as the handsome jet-setting scion of America’s most famous political dynasty. Now, go beyond the headlines for exclusive interviews with long-time friends, reporters and other insiders to meet the man behind the alluring image. Through numerous film clips and rarely seen Kennedy family photographs, follow “John-John” from his White House boyhood to his marriage to the beautiful and accomplished Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. In this truly fascinating biography, gain a surprising new perspective on the private life of the man regarded around the world as “America’s Prince.”

    Director:Unknown
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  20. Biography Season 5 Episode 20 - John Paul Jones: Captain of the High Seas
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #20 - John Paul Jones: Captain of the High Seas

    S5:E20

    His sense of adventure brought him to America. His bravery made him the country's greatest naval hero. The son of a Scottish gardener, John Paul Jones went to sea at age 12 with the British navy, making his way to America after killing a sailor in self-defense during a mutiny. He joined the fledgling American Navy, and in 1779 became captain of the Bon Homme Richard. In an epic battle with the British frigate Serapis, he responded to the enemy captain's premature assumption of victory with the immortal words, "Sir, I have not yet begun to fight," and went on to win the battle. Maritime experts, leading historians, and Naval officers reflect on the legacy of the swashbuckling hero in this definitive look at his life. And learn about his many accomplishments after the Revolution, when he went on to fight in the Russian navy and lived in Paris during the French Revolution. Join Biography for the story of an inspirational leader and the founder of the American naval tradition.

    Director:Unknown
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  21. Biography Season 5 Episode 21 - Marie Antoinette: The Tragic Queen
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #21 - Marie Antoinette: The Tragic Queen

    S5:E21

    Marie Antoinette, born Archduchess of Austria, became Queen of France at just 19 after marrying Louis XVI. Initially adored for her beauty and charm, she soon became a symbol of royal excess amid France’s growing poverty. Her lavish lifestyle at Versailles and infamous phrase—“Let them eat cake,” though likely apocryphal—fueled public outrage. As revolution swept through France, she faced imprisonment and trial, ultimately executed by guillotine. Though vilified in her time, history now views her as a complex figure—both victim and participant in the downfall of the French monarchy.

    Director:Unknown
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  22. Biography Season 5 Episode 22 - Mikhail Gorbachev: A Man Who Changed the World
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #22 - Mikhail Gorbachev: A Man Who Changed the World

    S5:E22

    His drastic reforms led to the end of his nation as the world knew it. But ultimately, he was undone by his own success. Mikhail Gorbachev is one of the most compelling figures of the 20th century. The son of a mechanic from the Caucasus, his vision to change his nation was shaped by his childhood experiences under Stalin's rule. Biography interviewed the former Soviet Premier at length for this historic program. In it, Gorbachev recounts how he rose through the party ranks without betraying his radical visions for the future. Once in power, however, the changes were swift and sweeping. Extensive footage chronicles the turbulent years of his rule, from the first stirrings of Glasnost to the unsuccessful coup attempt that marked the last gasp of the old, hardline leadership. And Soviet historians and political experts detail his world-changing legacy. Like no other program, this is a gripping, first-person portrait of one of the most influential men in history.

    Director:Unknown
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  23. Biography Season 5 Episode 23 - Moses and the Ten Commandments
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #23 - Moses and the Ten Commandments

    S5:E23

    He was a complex man and a reluctant prophet. But when called upon to save his people, he overcame his doubts and fears and defeated the most powerful empire on earth. Born of Hebrew slaves and raised in the Pharaoh's courts, Moses performed some of the Old Testament's greatest miracles. Yet the man who delivered his people from 2,000 years of bondage and received the Ten Commandments from God was often beset by self-doubt. How did Moses manage to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness of Sinai? This extraordinary program tells the story of the Exodus in all its majesty, using abundant location footage, rare paintings and artifacts, and interviews with biblical experts. Join Biography for an in-depth portrait of one of the Bible's most fascinating figures.

    Director:Unknown
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  24. Biography Season 5 Episode 24 - Moshe Dayan: A Warrior's Story
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #24 - Moshe Dayan: A Warrior's Story

    S5:E24

    His mastery of desert warfare transformed a tiny, beleaguered nation into a respected military power. But in a world fueled by hatred, he came to champion a different cause: Peace. Moshe Dayan occupied the center stage in Israel for more than 30 years. A hero in the War for Independence, his finest hour came in 1967 with his command of the stunning victory in the Six Day War. Now Biography brings you the complete story of this famed commander. Through rare vintage footage and exclusive interviews, you’ll go behind the scenes at top-secret planning meetings, witness the catastrophe of the Yom Kippur War and, ultimately, follow Dayan on his quest for peace with his Arab enemies. Join Biography for an extraordinary look at the warrior-statesman who personified the fighting spirit of his nation.

    Director:Unknown
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  25. Biography Season 5 Episode 25 - Noah and the Ark: Voyage to a New Beginning
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #25 - Noah and the Ark: Voyage to a New Beginning

    S5:E25

    With humanity perched on the brink of destruction, his righteousness saved the world. Every schoolchild knows the story of Noah's ark and how he brought the world's animals on board "two by two." But what do we actually know about Noah the sailor, the vintner, the farmer and healer the holy man who is said to have lived for 950 years. This remarkable program creates a complete portrait of Noah, prophet of the Flood, using interviews with experts and historians, film footage from the Holy Land and rare paintings and artifacts. Join Biography for a fascinating study of the figure who envisioned a terrible end and new beginning for mankind.

    Director:Unknown
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Season 5 Ratings Summary

"Abbott and Costello" is the best rated episode of "Biography" season 5. It scored 7/10 based on 99 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 1/4/1996. This episode is rated 7.0 points higher than the second-best, "Abraham Lincoln: Preserving the Union".