Jimmy Carl Black was an American actor best known for his roles in 200 Motels, Panama Red, and Uncle Meat. He was born on February 1, 1938, in El Paso, Texas, and passed away on November 1, 2008, in Siegsdorf, Bavaria, Germany.
Personal and Family Life
Jimmy Carl Black was married to Monika from 1995 until his death in 2008. He had six children and was proud of his Cheyenne heritage, which he inherited from both of his parents. Black began playing the trumpet at the age of 12 but later switched to drums due to the lack of trumpets in rock music.
Career Highlights
Black was an original drummer for Frank Zappa’s band, The Mothers of Invention. After the band broke up, he explored different ventures including making doughnuts, running a painting company, and forming new musical groups. One of these groups was The Grandmothers, which included former bandmates Bunk Gardner and Don Preston.
Death and Legacy
Jimmy Carl Black died of lung cancer on November 1, 2008. His contributions to music and film live on through his unique style and performances. He is remembered not only for his acting roles but also for his influence on rock music.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Video From Hell | 1987-02-28 | Self |
| Where’s the Beer and when do we get paid? | 2013-08-29 | Himself |
| Mondo Hollywood | 1967-06-30 | |
| Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words | 2016-05-03 | Self (archive footage) |
| Kosmische Brocken – Frank Zappa und die Deutschen | 2018-11-03 | |
| 200 Motels | 1971-11-10 | Lonesome Cowboy Burt |
| Uncle Meat | 1987-01-01 | Self |
| The True Story of Frank Zappa’s 200 Motels | 1988-01-01 | Self |
| Classic Albums: Frank Zappa – Apostrophe (‘) Over-Nite Sensation | 2007-05-01 | Self (archive footage) |
| Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention: In the 1960’s | 2009-01-20 | |
| Zappa | 2020-11-27 | Self – Drums (archive footage) |
| The Artist Formerly Known As Captain Beefheart | 1997-08-19 | Himself |
| Ein Leben als Extravaganza – Das Genie Frank Zappa | 1993-01-01 | Self |
| An American Dissident: un tributo a Frank Zappa | 1994-01-07 | Self |
| Panama Red | 1976-10-31 | |
| Wild Thing | 2012-03-26 | Self |
| Live at Whisky a Go Go 1968 | 2024-06-21 | |
| Classic Albums | 1997-04-14 | Self (archive footage) |
