The Best Episodes of Biography Season 6

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   8.0/10(106 votes)

   #1 - Anastasia: Her True Story

   S6:E11/9/1997

   Born in 1901, she was supposedly the fourth and final daughter of the Russian czar. But the woman who claimed to be the princess for over 60 years was more likely the daughter of a Polish factory worker. Amongst the many mysteries surrounding the Romanovs is the story of Anastasia. Was she killed along with her family in 1918, or did she escape into New York high society? Leading historians discuss the young princess before the Russian Revolution and explore recent forensic findings that conclusively prove that the woman who lived as Anastasia was not the real princess. Rare home movie footage and extensive interviews with those who knew her capture the intrigue of this fascinating figure. Anastasia: Her True Story offers an illuminating investigation into the unique double-life and enduring enigma of the puckish young princess who symbolized the glory of Czarist Russia.

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2. 

   2.9/10(112 votes)

   #2 - Andy Griffith: Hollywood's Homespun Hero

   S6:E21/16/1997

   Born in Mount Airy, North Carolina, Andy Griffith started studying to become a preacher, but then changed to music and drama. All of these pursuits worked to launch his career with a preacher act. He went on to play Sir Walter Raleigh with a British accent. But it was his folksy, down-home North Carolina accent that made him a star. First in his triumphant Broadway show, No Time for Sergeants, and then his acclaimed role in A Face in the Crowd. His career spanned the decades in radio, stage, TV and film. His long-running TV comedy series as a southern sheriff in "The Andy Griffith Show" established him as a television icon. Today he is best known for his portrayal of small-town lawyer on the popular television series, Matlock. Biography takes a look back at the life of one of the most popular and endearing stars in American television.

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3. 

   8.0/10(104 votes)

   #3 - Augustus: First of the Emperors

   S6:E31/23/1997

   Explore the life and legacy of Gaius Octavius—better known as Augustus—who transformed Rome from a republic torn by civil war into a stable empire that endured for centuries. The program traces his rise from the adopted heir of Julius Caesar to his consolidation of power after defeating Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Through historical analysis, reenactments, and expert commentary, it reveals how Augustus balanced ruthless ambition with political genius, reshaping Roman governance, culture, and architecture. His reign ushered in the Pax Romana, a golden age of peace and prosperity, while establishing the model for imperial rule that defined Rome’s future. The episode portrays Augustus as both visionary statesman and shrewd strategist—the man who turned Rome’s chaos into empire.

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4. 

   0.0/10(0 votes)

   #4 - Ayatollah Khomeini: Holy Terror

   S6:E41/30/1997

   For most, the mention of the Ayatollah Khomeini conjures up haunting images of blindfolded hostages being led from the American Embassy in Tehran. But for those in Iran, Khomeini is a legend who lives on today in the continuing revolution of Islam. His image covers buildings and monuments, his fierce gaze perpetually watchful. Here is the story of Khomeiniís rise from dutiful student in the dusty hamlet of Khomein in Iran to one of the most ruthless leaders the twentieth century has ever known. A man of myth and uncertainty, even the date of his birth is unknown. But what is known is that as a 70-year old grandfather, Khomeini pulled off one of the most daring revolutions in history and succeeded in serving up a crushing blow to America. Examine the man whose name brings to mind a swell of hate to most in America but instills immeasurable pride, honor and national dignity to the people of Iran.

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5. 

   8.6/10(140 votes)

   #5 - Caligula: Reign of Madness

   S6:E52/6/1997

   His reign lasted only four years and he was dead at the age of 28. Yet, as the third emperor of the Roman empire, he remains one of the most notorious rulers in history. Best remembered for his bacchanalian lifestyle and callous, heavy-handed ruling style, Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, or “Caligula,” as he was known, packed a lot into a very short life. In this incisive program, Biography goes beyond the legend to explore the anguished life of this infamous emperor. Discover how the first six months of Caligula’s rule were marked by a surprising degree of clemency and how a violent illness seemingly transformed him into the monster that history remembers today. Featuring interviews with leading scholars, Caligula: Reign of Madness is the ultimate profile of Rome’s most reviled ruler: the bizarre, bloodthirsty Caligula.

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6. 

   5.3/10(109 votes)

   #6 - Charles Kuralt: A Life on the Road

   S6:E62/13/1997

   His knack lay in finding the universal themes in "small" stories. His easygoing charm and unique approach to reporting made him one of journalism's most distinctive and beloved figures. Charles Kuralt carved out a unique place in broadcasting. Though he worked as a reporter for CBS News for 40 years, he was best known not for his news reportage but for his Sunday morning show On the Road. In this fond showcase of America, he celebrated the small stories and local heritage of the nation, and exposed the themes and beliefs that hold our vast country together. Biography goes on the road with the famed vagabond to tell his story. See clips from his long career which illustrate the easy presence and natural intelligence that made him unique. Colleagues like Walter Cronkite recall working with Kuralt and share favorite stories, while family members offer a warm glimpse of his private side. It's a touching tribute to one of the most distinctive and beloved TV personalities of his age.

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7. 

   2.7/10(153 votes)

   #7 - Constantine: The Christian Emperor

   S6:E72/20/1997

   Chronicle the life of Constantine the Great, the Roman ruler who forever changed the course of Western civilization by embracing Christianity. Born in 272 AD, Constantine rose through military ranks to become emperor after years of civil war. The program explores his pivotal victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, where legend says he saw a divine vision that led him to adopt the Christian faith. Through expert commentary and historical reenactments, the episode examines his founding of Constantinople, his role in the Council of Nicaea, and his efforts to unify the empire under one religion. Both visionary and pragmatic, Constantine emerges as a complex leader whose faith and ambition reshaped Rome—and laid the foundation for medieval Christendom.

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8. 

   6.2/10(92 votes)

   #8 - David Copperfield: Master of Illusion

   S6:E82/27/1997

   David Copperfield is widely regarded as one of the world’s most famous magicians. Through archival footage of his greatest televised performances and an in‑depth interview, the program traces Copperfield’s rise from a young stage performer to a two‑time “Entertainer of the Year.” Viewers see signature illusions that defined his career—grand spectacles that helped transform magic into mainstream entertainment. The episode highlights Copperfield’s showmanship, creative ambition, and the technical mastery behind his illusions, offering a revealing look at the magician whose work reshaped modern stage magic.

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9. 

   7.3/10(83 votes)

   #9 - Diana: The People's Princess

   S6:E93/6/1997

   Trace the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, from her emergence as a shy young woman entering the British royal family to her transformation into one of the most beloved public figures in the world. The program highlights how she brought warmth and openness to the monarchy, reshaping public perception through her compassion, humanitarian work, and ability to connect with people across all walks of life. It also explores her personal struggles behind the scenes, offering insight into the pressures she faced while living under intense global scrutiny. Through interviews, archival footage, and reflective commentary, the episode portrays Diana as a modern icon whose legacy endures through her sons and the lasting impact she made on millions.

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10. 

    6.9/10(103 votes)

    #10 - Dow and Jones: Wizards of Wall Street

    S6:E103/13/1997

    The fascinating story of the lives and partnership of Charles Dow and Edward Jones, whose combined talents produced the Dow Jones Industrial Average, one of the most influential financial indicators in history. It traces Dow’s early ambitions as a journalist, his collaboration with Jones at the Providence Journal, and their founding of the Wall Street Journal in 1889. The program highlights Dow’s creation of the first stock index in 1896 and follows the evolution of the Dow through major economic events—from the rise of corporate giants and early market booms to the shocks of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, the Panic of 1907, and the 1929 crash. Financial historians explain how their work shaped modern markets and why the Dow remains a central measure of economic confidence.

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11. 

    7.1/10(85 votes)

    #11 - Dutch Schultz: Menace to Society

    S6:E113/20/1997

    He was considered, even among gangsters, "totally evil." When his father abandoned the family, he quit school and began a life of crime to help his mother. He changed his name to Dutch Schultz from Arthur Flegenheimer while serving his first prison sentence. Here is the story of one of the nation's most ruthless and brutal criminals. He ended one argument by sticking his .45 automatic pistol into the mouth of a friend and pulling the trigger. He combined such merciless acts with a keen instinct for business to become the most feared and successful gangster of the Prohibition era. He lived the gangster version of the American dream--fast bucks, fast cars and fast women. Lucky Luciano is said to have arranged one of gangland's most infamous massacres, one that killed Schultz and his men. His death cleared the way for Luciano and other organized criminals to take over Shultz's various operations. Schultz goes down in crime history as the last truly independent Jewish gangster.

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12. 

    8.3/10(112 votes)

    #12 - Edgar Cayce: The Sleeping Psychic

    S6:E123/27/1997

    While appearing to sleep, he touched the lives of thousands and saw into the future. His remarkable gift made him the most famous spiritualist since Nostradamus. Edgar Cayce downplayed his apparently supernatural abilities, saying, "I don't do anything you can't do, if you're willing to pay the price." The price must have been high indeed, for he seemingly traveled through space and time with his mind alone. Biography profiles the life of the man known as "the sleeping psychic." See how he predicted both World Wars and the 1929 stock market crash, and diagnosed the illnesses of people sometimes thousands of miles away, all from a trance-like sleep. See how his prescriptions for the afflictions he diagnosed foreshadowed many of the staples of today's holistic and homeopathic cures. Spiritualists and cynics examine his gift and career, while contemporary accounts and interviews with those he helped cure testify to his astonishing abilities.

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13. 

    9.2/10(191 votes)

    #13 - Edward R. Murrow: Voice of America

    S6:E134/3/1997

    He virtually invented broadcast journalism, setting all its standards and breaking all its rules. Edward R. Murrow is the pivotal figure in the history of TV news. But before he helped define that medium, he was already revered for his brilliant radio coverage of World War II. In bringing the epic struggle to millions of listeners worldwide, he became known as "the voice of America." This definitive profile includes extensive clips of these historic broadcasts along with footage from his career as a television pioneer. Discover how the insightful "hard news" programs he considered his best work never got the ratings he hoped for, and how he soon learned to give the viewers what they wanted creating the light, "frothy" celebrity profile that many feel is the curse of TV journalism to this day. Extensive interviews with colleagues and friends explore this professional paradox and reveal how it spilled over into his private life.

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14. 

    7.8/10(106 votes)

    #14 - Eliot Ness: Untouchable

    S6:E144/10/1997

    He was a prohibition agent who became an alcoholic. A moral idealist who married three times. A crime fighter whose name is forever linked with the gangster he didn't really catch! Eliot Ness's life is a tapestry of irony, but his legend has a life all its own. In this revealing BIOGRAPHY the real story of the famed lawman comes to light. See how his legend was launched by a book he co-authored 25 years after his days with the "Untouchables," in which he recklessly exaggerated his own importance and accomplishments. Paul Heimel, author of Eliot Ness: The Real Story tells how his real victories came after his Chicago years, when, as Director of Public Safety for Cleveland, he transformed that city from one of the nation's most corrupt and dangerous into the safest. And friends trace his long decline into alcoholism, and recall the final, sad days of his life. This is the revealing, true tale of the straight-arrow lawman whose life has been eclipsed by the legend he helped create.

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15. 

    2.9/10(123 votes)

    #15 - Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen

    S6:E154/17/1997

    The episode examines the turbulent early reign of Elizabeth I, beginning with her rise to the throne after the death of her sister, Mary I. It explores the immense challenges she faced as a young Protestant queen in a divided, male‑dominated court, including pressure to marry for political advantage and the constant threat posed by Mary, Queen of Scots. The program highlights Elizabeth’s determination to rule independently, her refusal to wed foreign princes, and her complex relationship with Robert Dudley. It also covers defining moments of her reign, such as the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. Through historical commentary and dramatized scenes, the episode portrays Elizabeth as a shrewd, resilient monarch whose identity as the “Virgin Queen” shaped both her political strategy and her enduring legacy.

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16. 

    8.5/10(132 votes)

    #16 - Elizabeth: The Reluctant Monarch

    S6:E164/24/1997

    The episode presents an in‑depth profile of Queen Elizabeth II, exploring how a young woman who never expected to rule became one of the most enduring monarchs in modern history. Through archival footage and expert commentary, it traces her early life, the abdication crisis that unexpectedly placed her father on the throne, and the responsibilities that fell on Elizabeth as heir. The program examines her steady, measured approach to leadership, her commitment to duty, and the personal sacrifices required by her role. By highlighting key moments from her early reign and the challenges of guiding a changing nation, the episode portrays Elizabeth as a thoughtful, disciplined figure whose reluctance gave way to a lifetime of service.

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17. 

    7.9/10(179 votes)

    #17 - Erwin Rommel: The Last Knight

    S6:E175/1/1997

    He served the cruelest monster who ever lived, yet emerged with his reputation intact. His military brilliance and sense of honor earned him a place among history's most fabled commanders. Erwin Rommel may be the greatest general to serve in World War II. His dreaded Panzer legions inflicted bitter defeats on the Allied commanders who opposed him. Yet his unwavering brilliance and nobility won him the enduring respect of his enemies, and eventually the betrayal of his master. This in-depth portrait explores the life of the commander who tore up Hitler's order to execute captured Jewish soldiers. Footage of his army in action and interviews with the men who fought with and against him testify to his tactical genius, while excerpts from his writings reveal the private man. Trace the remarkable life Hitler's greatest commander, Erwin Rommel, the "Desert Fox."

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18. 

    8.0/10(132 votes)

    #18 - F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great American Dreamer

    S6:E185/8/1997

    The episode traces the brilliant yet turbulent life of F. Scott Fitzgerald, the novelist whose work came to define the Jazz Age. It follows his rise from a promising young writer to a literary sensation with the publication of This Side of Paradise, and explores his passionate, complicated marriage to Zelda Sayre, whose spirit and struggles deeply shaped his fiction. The program highlights Fitzgerald’s creation of The Great Gatsby, his most enduring masterpiece, and examines the personal demons—alcoholism, financial instability, and fading fame—that haunted him in later years. Through archival footage, expert commentary, and dramatized scenes, the episode portrays Fitzgerald as a gifted but fragile artist whose pursuit of the American Dream mirrored the triumphs and tragedies of his own life.

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19. 

    6.1/10(92 votes)

    #19 - Frank Costello: Prime Minister of the Mob

    S6:E195/15/1997

    The episode chronicles the life of Frank Costello, the influential underworld figure whose calm demeanor and political savvy earned him the title “Prime Minister of the Mob.” Rising from impoverished immigrant beginnings, Costello built a criminal empire through bootlegging, gambling, and strategic alliances within the American Mafia. The program explores his close ties to Tammany Hall, his ability to wield power without relying on violence, and his role in shaping organized crime during the mid‑20th century. Through archival footage, interviews, and historical analysis, the episode examines Costello’s clashes with rival Vito Genovese, his dramatic appearance before the Kefauver hearings, and his eventual retreat from public life. Costello emerges as a complex figure—part gangster, part statesman—whose influence reached far beyond the underworld.

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20. 

    5.4/10(102 votes)

    #20 - General George C. Marshall: Soldier and Statesman

    S6:E205/22/1997

    This is the epic story of the monumental soldier and statesman who--perhaps more than anybody else--shaped the world we live in today. He is the only career soldier ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize. His military genius led the Allies to victory in World War II, and his far-flung vision helped engineer the peace that followed. George C. Marshall may well be the most influential figure of the century. Churchill called him 'the true organizer of victory.' Through extensive expert interviews, rare archival footage and contemporary accounts, the life and career of this monumental figure come to life. In a rare interview, Colin Powell talks about Marshall's brilliance in preparing America for war and laying out the grand strategy. See footage of Marshall receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for his Plan for European Recovery better known as the Marshall Plan. And discover why both FDR and Eisenhower agreed that Marshall would have been the greatest president America had ever seen.

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21. 

    7.5/10(122 votes)

    #21 - George Armstrong Custer: America's Golden Cavalier

    S6:E215/29/1997

    He rose to fame as the youngest general in the Union Army, leading a pivotal charge at Gettysburg, but earned a place in history for his ill-fated command at the Battle of Little Bighorn. In fact, although his life was marked by towering accomplishments, his name has become synonymous with defeat. Through archival letters and journal entries, Biography investigates the life of George Armstrong Custer, tracing his remarkable rise through the ranks of the Union Army during the Civil War and his later reincarnation as a frontier combatant. Leading scholars explore his unusual relationship with his wife and reveal how she helped turn her husband into an American legend, while period accounts and archival artifacts shed light on his infamous “Last Stand.” Illuminating and insightful, George Armstrong Custer offers a probing look into the life and legacy of one of America’s most compelling figures.

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22. 

    7.9/10(75 votes)

    #22 - Hadrian: Emperor of the Golden Age

    S6:E226/5/1997

    Explore the life and legacy of one of Rome’s most enlightened rulers, Hadrian, whose reign marked a period of peace, prosperity, and cultural flourishing across the empire. The program traces his rise from soldier and scholar to emperor, highlighting his deep interest in architecture, philosophy, and governance. Viewers learn how Hadrian consolidated Rome’s vast territories, strengthened its borders with monumental works like Hadrian’s Wall, and promoted Greek culture and intellectual pursuits. Through expert commentary and historical reenactments, the episode reveals a complex leader—both visionary and introspective—whose devotion to art, travel, and reform helped define Rome’s “Golden Age.” It also examines his enduring love for Antinous and the human side of an emperor remembered as both builder and humanist.

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23. 

    7.1/10(195 votes)

    #23 - Ivan the Terrible: Might and Madness

    S6:E236/12/1997

    Examine the violent, transformative reign of Ivan IV, the first tsar of Russia, whose rule fused sweeping ambition with terrifying brutality. It traces his rise from a neglected child‑prince to a ruler determined to centralize power and expand Russia’s borders. The program explores Ivan’s early reforms, his military campaigns, and the creation of the Oprichnina, a feared state within a state that unleashed widespread terror. Through expert commentary and dramatic reenactments, the episode reveals how personal tragedy, paranoia, and absolute authority shaped Ivan’s descent into cruelty. Yet it also highlights his role in forging a more unified Russian state. The portrait that emerges is of a ruler both mighty and monstrous—an architect of empire whose legacy remains deeply conflicted.

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24. 

    5.3/10(105 votes)

    #24 - J.C. Penney: Main Street Millionaire

    S6:E246/19/1997

    This program profiles the life and business career of one of America's greatest entrepreneurs, J.C. Penney. Interviews with family, friends, and business associates make clear that Penney's greatness was due not so much to his success as a businessman, but to his unwaveringly high principles. A deeply religious man, J.C. Penney never forgot what was really important to him: God, his family, and his workers. Archival film footage and photographs show the millionaire who took as his salary $1 a day from each of his stores. When his business later failed, he still had his faith and family to fall back on.

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25. 

    7.6/10(129 votes)

    #25 - JFK: A Personal Story

    S6:E256/26/1997

    He will always be remembered as the youthful president who inspired America, a charismatic leader who gave the nation a sense of pride and confidence. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was different than any other president America had ever seen. His sharp mind, quick wit, and boundless determination won him friends, confidantes, and devoted followers. As a World War II hero, respected senator, and author of Why England Slept and the Pulitzer Prize‑winning Profiles in Courage, Kennedy regarded life as a race against boredom. Here, the pivotal moments of his life and presidency are revisited through archival footage and interviews with famous journalists, Hollywood actors, and White House staffers. Biography traces the compelling history of this unforgettable leader and explores the rich dynasty he left behind.

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