Cast & creator
Bobby McFerrin
Best known for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Saturday Night Live, Great Performances
Robert Keith McFerrin Jr. (born March 11, 1950) is an American jazz vocalist. He is known for his vocal techniques, such as singing fluidly but with quick and considerable jumps in pitch—for example, sustaining a melody while also rapidly alternating with arpeggios and harmonies—as well as scat singing, polyphonic overtone singing, and improvisational vocal percussion. He is widely known for performing and recording regularly as an unaccompanied solo vocal artist. He has frequently collaborated with other artists from both the jazz and classical scenes. McFerrin's song "Don't Worry, Be Happy" was a No. 1 U.S. pop hit in 1988 and won Song of the Year and Record of the Year honors at the 1989 Grammy Awards. McFerrin has also worked in collaboration with instrumentalists, including pianists Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Joe Zawinul, drummer Tony Williams, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. He is the father of musicians Taylor McFerrin and Madison McFerrin.
41
film credits
9
television credits
36
1962–2023 · acting roles
6.4
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (50)
Showing 50 of 50 credits
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
1962
Saturday Night Live
Self - Musical Guest
1975
Great Performances
Self - Host
1971
Later... with Jools Holland
1992Where Are They Now?
Self
1999
The Jim Henson Hour
Self
1989Hamburg Journal
self
2011
Son of the Pink Panther
Self (uncredited)
1993Son of the Pink Panther
Theme Song Performance
1993
The Rhythm of Life
1997
Masterclass
Self
2010
Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt
Original Music Composer
1989
Hush!
Music
2001
Knick Knack
Original Music Composer
1989
For Our Children
Self
1993
Aida's Brothers & Sisters
Self
2000
The Wizard of Oz on Ice
Host / The Wizard of Oz
1996
The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble
Self
2016
Chick Corea: The Musician
Self
2017George Martin: In My Life
Self
1998
A Beverly Hills Christmas
Self
1987Santabear's High Flying Adventure
Santabear / Bullybear (voice)
1987
Simply Mad About the Mouse
Self
1991Bobby McFerrin: Spontaneous Inventions
Himself
1987
Cypher
Original Music Composer
2023
Nin E Tepueian: My Cry
Music
2020
Then and Now: 1981-2004
Music
2004
Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories
Vocalist (voice)
1987Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories
Music
1987The Elephant's Child
Original Music Composer
1986
Alive Inside
2014
Everyone's Channel
Music
1990Rabbit Ears - How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin/How the Camel Got His Hump
Music
1987
Live at Munich Summer Piano Festiva
1988
Chick Corea Rendezvous in New York - Chick Corea & Bobby McFerrin Duet
Vocals
2005
Creating The Wizard of Oz on Ice
Self
1995Bobby McFerrin & Chick Corea Duet - Jazz A Vienne
Himself
2012
Bobby McFerrin: Try This at Home
Himself
2005
What Would Beethoven Do?
Self
2016
Snétberger Ferenc - Solo Duo Trio
self
Bobby McFerrin - Live in Montreal
Himself
2005Without Me
Original Music Composer
1993
Big Mama
Original Music Composer
2000Umbria Jazz Story
himself
1993Bobby McFerrin - Alfa Jazz Festival 2013
Himself Vocals
2013
Art
2008Art
Music
2008Bobby McFerrin Spirityouall au festival Jazz a Vienne
2014
Bobby McFerrin - Circlesongs
himself
2018