Directing
Community Rating
7.6
TMDB estimate
Born
December 21, 1940
Died
January 15, 2023 (age 82)
Born in
West Kilbride, Ayrshire, Scotland, UK
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).

The 10 Faces of Michael Jackson
as Self
2015

The Best British Rock Concert of All Time: Live at Knebworth
as Director
2010

Celebrity Duets
as Director
2006
I Walk the Line: A Night for Johnny Cash
as Director
2005

The Story of Bohemian Rhapsody
as Self
2004
Kelly, Ruben & Fantasia: Home for Christmas
as Director
2004

Genius. A Night for Ray Charles
as Director
2004

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

American Idol
as Director
2002

American Idol: The Search For A Superstar
as Director
2002

Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration
as Director
2001

Sarah Brightman: La Luna - Live in Concert
as Director
2001

Jennifer Lopez | Feelin' So Good
as Director
2000

Arista Records' 25th Anniversary Celebration
as Director
2000

Britney Spears: Live and More!
as Director
2000

The Rolling Stones: Bridges to Babylon Tour '97-98
as Production Director
1997

Fleetwood Mac: The Dance
as Director
1997

Kidsongs: I Can Do It
as Executive Producer, Director
1997

Rodney Dangerfield's 75th Birthday Toast
as Director
1997
Paula Poundstone Goes to Harvard
as Director
1996