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Michael Stipe

Michael Stipe

Actor and producer, also composer · Born January 4, 1960 (66) · Decatur, Georgia, USA

Producers Guild Award winner · Grammy Award nominee · 2 Independent Spirit Awards

John Michael Stipe (born January 4, 1960) is an American singer, songwriter and artist, best known as the lead singer and lyricist of alternative rock band R.E.M. He is known for his vocal quality, poetic lyrics and unique stage presence. Possessing a distinctive voice, Stipe has been noted for the "mumbling" style of his early career. Since the mid-1980s, Stipe has sung in "wailing, keening, arching vocal figures" that R.E.M. biographer David Buckley compared to Celtic folk artists and Muslim muezzin. He was in charge of R.E.M.'s visual aspect, often selecting album artwork and directing many of the band's music videos. Outside the music industry, he owns and runs two film production studios, C-00 and Single Cell Pictures. As a member of R.E.M., Stipe was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. As a singer-songwriter, Stipe influenced a wide range of artists, including Kurt Cobain of Nirvana and Thom Yorke of Radiohead. Bono of U2 has described his voice as "extraordinary", and Yorke told The Guardian that Stipe is his favorite lyricist, saying "I loved the way he would take an emotion and then take a step back from it and in doing so make it so much more powerful." From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 4, 1960 (66)
From
Decatur, Georgia, USA
Works as
Actor and producer, also composer
Titles
17 on MovieCove · 50 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Down 45% in 30 days

What are Michael Stipe's films like?

Across their 17 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Society and Self.

Genres

Drama7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 76th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Documentary6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 81st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 86th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Society
35%
Self
33%
Bonds
10%
Survival
8%
Ideas
8%
Morality
5%
Power
1%
Community7 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFame3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 17 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 10 · Serious 4 · Dark 3

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 11 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 8 · Charged 8 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 12 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 1

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 13 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 7 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 3

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 4 · Open-ended 6 · Ambiguous 7

Roles they play

1 analyzed role

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Contemplative
12
Melancholic
10
Warm
6
Absurd
5
Bittersweet
5
Other
10

How their films linger

Thought-provoking11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Bittersweet10
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous5
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Michael Stipe's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 10 of their 17 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Michael Stipe's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

50 credits, 17 with a MovieCove page; 61 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Little, Big, and Far(2024)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • En el séptimo día(2017)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • R.E.M. - Automatic Unearthed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • R.E.M. - Automatic for the People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Lead vocals

  • Jeremy Dance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Director · Composer

  • R.E.M. - Out Of Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Sänger

  • R.E.M. Unplugged: The Complete 1991 and 2001 Sessions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • Vic Chesnutt - IT IS WHAT IT IS (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Executive Producer

  • R.E.M. Live from Austin, TX (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • This Is Not a Show: Live at the Olympia in Dublin(2009)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Cleveland Show(2009)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all shows

  • R.E.M. - Live In Athens (MTV) 2008 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • 6 Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • R.E.M. Live (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Vocals

  • R.E.M.: When the Light is Mine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • R.E.M. - Live At The Rock Am Ring (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Executive Producer

  • Johnny Berlin(2005)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Saved!(2004)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Dashboard Confessional: MTV2 Album Covers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Michael Stipe

  • R.E.M. : Perfect Square (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Vocals

  • Everyday People(2004)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Anderson Cooper 360°(2003)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all shows

  • 13 Conversations About One Thing(2001)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • R.E.M.: MTV Unplugged No. 2.0 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • Stranger Inside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Producer

  • The Sleepy Time Gal(2001)

    Co-Producer

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Spring Forward (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Executive Producer

  • Our Song(2000)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Man on the Moon(1999)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Olive, the Other Reindeer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Producer · as Schnitzel (voice)

  • American Movie(1999)

    Co-Producer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Being John Malkovich(1999)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • R.E.M.: Live at Shoreline Amphitheatre 1998/10/18 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • R.E.M.: Live at Shoreline Amphitheatre 1998/10/17 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • Velvet Goldmine(1998)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Radiohead: Tibetan Freedom Concert (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • R.E.M.: Road Movie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • Color of a Brisk and Leaping Day(1996)

    as Skeeter

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • TFI Friday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • R.E.M.: MTV Unplugged (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • R.E.M: Shocking Club, Milan, Italy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • R.E.M. Tourfilm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director · as Himself

  • R.E.M.: Pop Screen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Actor

  • The Simpsons(1989)

    Show 2 episodes · as Michael Stipe (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Arena Brains (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as The Watcher

  • R.E.M.: Live at The Capitol Theater (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • Left of Reckoning (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • R.E.M.: Live at the Raleigh Underground (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • R.E.M.: New Adventures In Hi-Fi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Lead Vocals

Career shape

Star power in the 23rd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 50 titles, 49 of them dated from 1982 to 2026.

Biggest box office

Man on the Moon (1999)

$47M worldwide

Highest rated

American Movie (1999)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Man on the Moon (1999)

Film career

  • 1999Screen debut· Olive, the Other Reindeer

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting32 of 50: 31 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score44thDirecting2 of 50: 1 only directing, 1 with another roleProducing16 of 50: 15 only producing, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score81stMusic2 of 50: 1 only music, 1 with another role

By decade

1980s5 · acting1990s15 · 10 acting · 6 crew2000s20 · 11 acting · 9 crew2010s8 · 5 acting · 3 crew2020s1 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

Awards

3 major awards from 5 major nominations, 2000–2019.

WinNomination
  1. 2019
    • Independent Spirit Award, won
  2. 2001
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media
  3. 2000
    • Producers Guild Award, won · Theatrical Motion Pictures
    • Producers Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures
    • Independent Spirit Award, won · Best First Feature - Over $500,000

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Michael Stipe's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 79th percentile, the median of all 14; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 75th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

75thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Approval · how many liked their films

76thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

54thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Midcredits score across 17 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th2
  • 25th to 49th2
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

9 of their 17 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser9
  • Mixed3

Most divisive · actor

This Is Not a Show: Live at the Olympia in Dublin (2009)

77th percentile spread · 23% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · producer

American Movie (1999)

Midcredits 97th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the acting 77/100 in their films, across 11 reviewed titles; fans 83, detractors 53. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Michael Stipe's work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 36 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 63 · intenseMedian of all films: 32
Profanity5 titles52–76 · median 73 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 49 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 30 · mildMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Michael Stipe work with?

People who share at least 2 of Michael Stipe's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jim McKay shares the most, 6.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles