Bruce Gowers
- Known for
- Directing
- Born
- December 21, 1940
- Died
- January 15, 2023 (aged 82)
- Birthplace
- West Kilbride, Ayrshire, Scotland, UK
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).
Known For
Eddie Murphy: Delirious
American Idol
Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits: HIStory
Madonna: The Immaculate Collection
Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration
George Carlin: What Am I Doing in New Jersey?
Robin Williams: An Evening at the Met
Queen: Live at the Rainbow '74
Jennifer Lopez | Feelin' So Good
Genius. A Night for Ray Charles
The Story of Bohemian Rhapsody
Fleetwood Mac: The Dance
Filmography
The Best British Rock Concert of All Time: Live at Knebworth
Movie · Director
Celebrity Duets
TV · Director · 1 ep
I Walk the Line: A Night for Johnny Cash
Movie · Director
Prince : Musicology Live 2004ever (Live in Los Angeles)
Movie · Director
Kelly, Ruben & Fantasia: Home for Christmas
Movie · Director
Genius. A Night for Ray Charles
Movie · Director
American Idol: The Search For A Superstar
Movie · Director
American Idol
TV · Director · 21 eps
Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration
Movie · Director
Sarah Brightman: La Luna - Live in Concert
Movie · Director
Britney Spears: Live and More!
Movie · Director
Jennifer Lopez | Feelin' So Good
Movie · Director
Arista Records' 25th Anniversary Celebration
Movie · Director
Fleetwood Mac: The Dance
Movie · Director
Rodney Dangerfield's 75th Birthday Toast
Movie · Director
Kidsongs: I Can Do It
Movie · Director
Paula Poundstone Goes to Harvard
Movie · Director
Woodstock 94
Movie · Director
Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits: HIStory
Movie · Director
Nine Inch Nails: Woodstock 94
Movie · Director
Kidsongs: Country Sing-Along
Movie · Director
Primus: Woodstock 94
Movie · Director
Prince: The Hits Collection
Movie · Director
Pete Townshend Live in New York Featuring Psychoderelict
Movie · Director
Rod Stewart Vagabond Heart Tour
Movie · Director
Roundhouse
TV · Director · 19 eps
Paul McCartney: Unplugged
Movie · Director
The Cure: MTV Unplugged
Movie · Director
Kidsongs: Very Silly Songs
Movie · Director
The 14th Annual Young Comedians Show
Movie · Director
Paula Poundstone: Cats, Cops and Stuff
Movie · Director
The Best of All Star Band: Live in Concert
Movie · Director
Kidsongs: Ride the Roller Coaster
Movie · Director
Madonna: The Immaculate Collection
Movie · Director
Richard Lewis: I'm Doomed
Movie · Director
Legends of Rock 'n' Roll
Movie · Director
George Carlin: What Am I Doing in New Jersey?
Movie · Director
Richard Lewis: I'm Exhausted
Movie · Director
Jerry Seinfeld: Stand-Up Confidential
Movie · Director
Harry Anderson's Sideshow
Movie · Director
Kidsongs
TV · Director · 106 eps
Robin Williams: An Evening at the Met
Movie · Director
Rush: Through the Camera Eye
Movie · Director
Kidsongs: A Day at Old MacDonald's Farm
Movie · Director
Huey Lewis and the News: The Heart of Rock and Roll
Movie · Director
Billy Crystal: A Comic's Line
Movie · Director
Eddie Murphy: Delirious
Movie · Director
The Doobie Brothers: Live At The Greek Theatre
Movie · Director
Rod Stewart: Tonight He's Yours
Movie · Director
This Is Your Life: 30th Anniversary Special
Movie · Director
Bob Welch & Friends: Live from the Roxy
Movie · Director
Solid Gold
TV · Director · 1 ep
Larry Grayson
TV · Director · 14 eps
Queen: Live at the Rainbow '74
Movie · Director
The Rolling Stones: The Marquee Club 1971
Movie · Director