Bruce Gowers
- Known for
- Directing
- Born
- December 21, 1940
- Place of birth
- West Kilbride, Ayrshire, Scotland, UK
- Died
- January 15, 2023
Biography
Bruce Gowers was an English television director and producer, best known for work on large scale live music and event productions. He started his career in his native England where his landmark music video for Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" brought him international recognition leading to his relocation to the U.S. in the late 1970s.
Bruce’s varied career includes credits for the live episodes of American Idol (2001–2010) which he has directed from the start, and awards shows including the Emmys, The MTV Awards, the Billboard Awards and the American Music Awards, event specials including Live Earth, Live 8 and President Bill Clinton’s Inaugural Concert at the Lincoln Memorial and music specials for Michael Jackson and The Jacksons, The Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart and Britney Spears. See credits below.
HBO and Showtime provided the opportunity to direct comedy specials with the biggest names in the business: Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Eddie Murphy and Jerry Seinfeld. For Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and PBS Bruce turned his attention to the popular kids series’ Roundhouse, The Kidsongs TV Show (co-creator), The Amanda Show, All That and the Teen Choice Awards.
In the first wave of reality shows, Bruce executive produced and directed The Spectacular World of Guinness Records, America’s Funniest People (co-creator) and This is Your Life.
Along the way Bruce has directed documentaries (for the Rolling Stones and Salvador Dali), ice shows, magic shows (Penn and Teller), comedy series (Whose Line is it Anyway), sports (wrestling, soccer and horse racing), talk shows (Tony Tenille), game shows (Family Feud), sitcoms (The Life and Times of Edgar Briggs) and interviews specials (David Frost with various heads of state).
Movies with Bruce Gowers
- The Story of Bohemian Rhapsody 2004 · ★ 8.1
- The 10 Faces of Michael Jackson 2015 · ★ 5.0
Movies directed by Bruce Gowers
- Eddie Murphy: Delirious 1983 · ★ 7.6
- Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits: HIStory 1995 · ★ 8.3
- Madonna: The Immaculate Collection 1990 · ★ 8.6
- Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration 2001 · ★ 8.0
- George Carlin: What Am I Doing in New Jersey? 1988 · ★ 7.4
- Robin Williams: An Evening at the Met 1986 · ★ 8.2
- Queen: Live at the Rainbow '74 1974 · ★ 8.1
- Jennifer Lopez | Feelin' So Good 2000 · ★ 8.6
- Genius. A Night for Ray Charles 2004 · ★ 7.4
- Fleetwood Mac: The Dance 1997 · ★ 7.8
- Britney Spears: Live and More! 2000 · ★ 8.3
- The Best British Rock Concert of All Time: Live at Knebworth 2010 · ★ 7.5
- Prince: The Hits Collection 1993 · ★ 7.8
- Jerry Seinfeld: Stand-Up Confidential 1987 · ★ 6.5
- Sarah Brightman: La Luna - Live in Concert 2001 · ★ 6.5
- Arista Records' 25th Anniversary Celebration 2000 · ★ 7.0
- Paula Poundstone: Cats, Cops and Stuff 1990 · ★ 7.0
- Billy Crystal: A Comic's Line 1984 · ★ 4.3
- Nine Inch Nails: Woodstock 94 1994 · ★ 9.5
- Prince : Musicology Live 2004ever (Live in Los Angeles) 2004 · ★ 8.5
- Legends of Rock 'n' Roll 1989 · ★ 9.0
- Paul McCartney: Unplugged 1991 · ★ 4.0
- American Idol: The Search For A Superstar 2002 · ★ 8.0
- Rodney Dangerfield's 75th Birthday Toast 1997 · ★ 7.0
- Kidsongs: Ride the Roller Coaster 1990 · ★ 10.0
- Woodstock 94 1995 · ★ 8.0
- The Cure: MTV Unplugged 1991 · ★ 7.0
- Paula Poundstone Goes to Harvard 1996 · ★ 10.0
- Kelly, Ruben & Fantasia: Home for Christmas 2004 · ★ 0.0
- Harry Anderson's Sideshow 1987 · ★ 10.0
- Richard Lewis: I'm Doomed 1990 · ★ 7.0
- Richard Lewis: I'm Exhausted 1988 · ★ 8.0
- The Rolling Stones: The Marquee Club 1971 1971 · ★ 9.0
- Primus: Woodstock 94 1994 · ★ 8.0
- Huey Lewis and the News: The Heart of Rock and Roll 1985 · ★ 8.0
- Rod Stewart: Tonight He's Yours 1981
- This Is Your Life: 30th Anniversary Special 1981
- The Doobie Brothers: Live At The Greek Theatre 1982
- The Best of All Star Band: Live in Concert 1990
- Kidsongs: I Can Do It 1997