American Masters

How Buffy Sainte-Marie won an Oscar for "Up Where We Belong"

Clip: 11/22/2022 | 1m 39s  | Video has closed captioning.

Watch Full Length

When Jack Nitzsche became stumped while scoring the film "An Officer and a Gentleman," he turned to his friend Buffy Sainte-Marie for help. Buffy played him the melody for her song "Up Where We Belong," which took on "a life of its own." The iconic song eventually went on to win several major awards, including the award for Best Original Song at the 55th Academy Awards in 1983.

Aired: 11/22/22

Rating: NR

Buy Now:

Problems Playing Video? | Closed Captioning

Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Cheryl and Philip Milstein Family, Judith & Burton …

A front row seat to the creative process

NEW PODCAST

A front row seat to the creative process

How do today’s masters create their art? Each episode an artist reveals how they brought one of their iconic works to life. Hear from artists across disciplines, like singer Buffy Sainte-Marie, filmmaker John Waters, actor John David Washington, and more on our podcast "American Masters: Creative Spark."

SUBSCRIBE

More History Shows