Top 19 Biography Movies Award-Winning Released in 1980

The life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it. Find out about Raging Bull / IMDB / YouTube

A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man who is mistreated while scraping a living as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of kindness, intelligence and sophistication. Find out about The Elephant Man / IMDB / YouTube

The fictionalized life of singer Loretta Lynn, a girl who rose from humble beginnings to become a country music star in the 1960s/70s. More about Coal Miner's Daughter / IMDB / YouTube

The origins, exploits and the ultimate fate of the Jesse James gang is told in a sympathetic portrayal of the bank robbers made up of brothers who begin their legendary bank raids because of revenge. Check out The Long Riders / IMDB / YouTube

Semi-biographical film based on the experiences of gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson. More about Where the Buffalo Roam / IMDB / YouTube

Bounty hunter Ralph Papa Thorson is receiving death threats from a criminal he helped put away. This while his girlfriend is about to give birth, an event he isn't looking forward to. Learn about The Hunter / IMDB / YouTube

An ex-army scout is hired by ranchers to kill cattle rustlers but he gets into trouble with the corrupt local officials when he's suspected of killing a boy. Find out about Tom Horn / IMDB / YouTube

A DJ and composer from New York seeks to form an innovative musical group. With the help of a former model and a lawyer, they recruit six singers from the Greenwich Village for a disco adventure full of fantasy and fun in the 80s. More about Can't Stop the Music / IMDB / YouTube

Based on the life of rock promoter/producer Bob Marcucci, who discovered, among others, Frankie Avalon and Fabian. See more about The Idolmaker / IMDB / YouTube

Life and times of Nikola Tesla, famous scientist whose inventions were stolen, but whose greatest contribution to mankind remain a mystery to this day. Get info on The Secret Life of Nikola Tesla / IMDB / YouTube

The story of Clarence Earl Gideon and his fight for the right to have publicly funded legal counsel for the needy. Get info on Gideon's Trumpet / IMDB / YouTube

The gaudy rise and dizzy fall of the last great Hollywood blonde bombshell: Jayne Mansfield. Find out about The Jayne Mansfield Story / IMDB / YouTube

The story of Vaslav Nijinsky, who is widely believed to be one of the greatest ballet dancers of all time. Based on Romola Nijinsky's Last Years Of Nijinski. More about Nijinsky / IMDB / YouTube

A loving film tribute to Russian filmmaker Larisa Shepitko, who died tragically in a car accident in 1979 at the age of 40. This documentary by her husband, Elem Klimov, includes excerpts from all of Shepitko's films, and her own voice is heard talking about her life and art. Look into Larisa / IMDB / YouTube

The life of Dacian war-leader Burebista who ruled between 80-44 B.C.and founded a strong Dacian Kingdom despite considerable pressure from the neighboring Celtic warlords and the Greek cities of the Black Sea coast. See more about Burebista / IMDB / YouTube

The story of the life and times of the legendary Hollywood blonde bombshell Marilyn Monroe, from her meteoric rise to stardom, to her marriages and untimely death. Details on Marilyn: The Untold Story / IMDB / YouTube

A journalist investigates a newspaper story of the execution of an Arab princess. See more about Death of a Princess / IMDB / YouTube

Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka the one-ideaed Hungarian painter was thought to be crazy by his peers, but he eventually became a significant artist. Details on Csontváry / IMDB / YouTube

The story of Harold Krents, who became totally blind at nine years old, but graduated Harvard and Oxford and became a lawyer. Explore To Race the Wind / IMDB / YouTube