Bruce Gowers profile photo

Bruce Gowers

Directing
82 years oldWest Kilbride, Ayrshire, Scotland

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).

Personal Details

Born
December 21, 1940 - January 15, 2023 (age 82)
Gender
Male
Place of Birth
West Kilbride, Ayrshire, Scotland
Known For
Directing

Movies (46)

The 10 Faces of Michael Jackson
5.0

The 10 Faces of Michael Jackson

as Self

2015

The Best British Rock Concert of All Time: Live at Knebworth
7.4

The Best British Rock Concert of All Time: Live at Knebworth

Director (Directing)

2010

The Story of Bohemian Rhapsody
8.1

The Story of Bohemian Rhapsody

as Self

2004

Kelly, Ruben & Fantasia: Home for Christmas

Kelly, Ruben & Fantasia: Home for Christmas

Director (Directing)

2004

Genius. A Night for Ray Charles
7.3

Genius. A Night for Ray Charles

Director (Directing)

2004

Prince : Musicology Live 2004ever (Live in Los Angeles)
8.5

Prince : Musicology Live 2004ever (Live in Los Angeles)

Director (Directing)

2004

American Idol: The Search For A Superstar
8.0

American Idol: The Search For A Superstar

Director (Directing)

2002

Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration
8.0

Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration

Director (Directing)

2001

Sarah Brightman: La Luna - Live in Concert
6.1

Sarah Brightman: La Luna - Live in Concert

Director (Directing)

2001

Jennifer Lopez | Feelin' So Good
8.5

Jennifer Lopez | Feelin' So Good

Director (Directing)

2000

Arista Records' 25th Anniversary Celebration
6.2

Arista Records' 25th Anniversary Celebration

Director (Directing)

2000

Britney Spears: Live and More!
8.2

Britney Spears: Live and More!

Director (Directing)

2000

The Rolling Stones: Bridges to Babylon Tour '97-98
6.8

The Rolling Stones: Bridges to Babylon Tour '97-98

Production Director (Production)

1997

Fleetwood Mac: The Dance
7.8

Fleetwood Mac: The Dance

Director (Directing)

1997

Kidsongs: I Can Do It

Kidsongs: I Can Do It

Director (Directing)

1997

Rodney Dangerfield's 75th Birthday Toast

Rodney Dangerfield's 75th Birthday Toast

Director (Directing)

1997

Paula Poundstone Goes to Harvard

Paula Poundstone Goes to Harvard

Director (Directing)

1996

Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits: HIStory
8.3

Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits: HIStory

Director (Directing)

1995

Woodstock 94

Woodstock 94

Director (Directing)

1995

Kidsongs: Country Sing-Along

Kidsongs: Country Sing-Along

Director (Directing)

1994

Nine Inch Nails: Woodstock 94
9.5

Nine Inch Nails: Woodstock 94

Director (Directing)

1994

Primus: Woodstock 94
8.0

Primus: Woodstock 94

Director (Directing)

1994

Mickey's Fun Songs: Campout at Walt Disney World
6.1

Mickey's Fun Songs: Campout at Walt Disney World

Executive Producer (Production)

1994

Prince: The Hits Collection
7.9

Prince: The Hits Collection

Director (Directing)

1993

Pete Townshend Live in New York Featuring Psychoderelict

Pete Townshend Live in New York Featuring Psychoderelict

Director (Directing)

1993

Paul McCartney: Unplugged
4.0

Paul McCartney: Unplugged

Director (Directing)

1991

The Cure: MTV Unplugged
7.0

The Cure: MTV Unplugged

Director (Directing)

1991

Kidsongs: Very Silly Songs

Kidsongs: Very Silly Songs

Director (Directing)

1991

Paula Poundstone: Cats, Cops and Stuff
6.5

Paula Poundstone: Cats, Cops and Stuff

Director (Directing)

1990

Madonna: The Immaculate Collection
8.6

Madonna: The Immaculate Collection

Director (Directing)

1990

Richard Lewis: I'm Doomed
7.0

Richard Lewis: I'm Doomed

Director (Directing)

1990

Kidsongs: Ride the Roller Coaster

Kidsongs: Ride the Roller Coaster

Producer (Production)

1990

The Best of All Star Band: Live in Concert

The Best of All Star Band: Live in Concert

Director (Directing)

1990

Legends of Rock 'n' Roll
9.0

Legends of Rock 'n' Roll

Director (Directing)

1989

Richard Lewis: I'm Exhausted
8.0

Richard Lewis: I'm Exhausted

Director (Directing)

1988

George Carlin: What Am I Doing in New Jersey?
7.2

George Carlin: What Am I Doing in New Jersey?

Director (Directing)

1988

Harry Anderson's Sideshow

Harry Anderson's Sideshow

Director (Directing)

1987

Jerry Seinfeld: Stand-Up Confidential
6.2

Jerry Seinfeld: Stand-Up Confidential

Director (Directing)

1987

Robin Williams: An Evening at the Met
8.1

Robin Williams: An Evening at the Met

Director (Directing)

1986

Kidsongs: A Day at Old MacDonald's Farm

Kidsongs: A Day at Old MacDonald's Farm

Director (Directing)

1985

Huey Lewis and the News: The Heart of Rock and Roll
8.0

Huey Lewis and the News: The Heart of Rock and Roll

Director (Directing)

1985

Rush: Through the Camera Eye

Rush: Through the Camera Eye

Director (Directing)

1985

Billy Crystal: A Comic's Line
2.0

Billy Crystal: A Comic's Line

Director (Directing)

1984

Eddie Murphy: Delirious
7.6

Eddie Murphy: Delirious

Director (Directing)

1983

The Doobie Brothers: Live At The Greek Theatre

The Doobie Brothers: Live At The Greek Theatre

Director (Directing)

1982

Rod Stewart: Tonight He's Yours

Rod Stewart: Tonight He's Yours

Director (Directing)

1981

TV Shows (4)