
What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedDolemite Is My Name
Craig Brewer · Film · 2019
If you loved Dolemite Is My Name, start with Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker (2020) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 3 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Dolemite Is My Name across media.
What hooked you in Dolemite Is My Name was the relentless, creative hustle required to build a legacy from scratch.
Books on the same thread
The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story
Nikole Hannah-Jones, The New York Times Magazine · Book · 2022
Explores: Race in America, Slavery, Historical Revisionism.
Just as Dolemite Is My Name reclaims Rudy Ray Moore’s narrative, this work provides a necessary, authoritative expansion of history that centers the Black experience in America.

Supreme City
Donald L. Miller · Book · 2014
Explores: Urbanization, Immigration, Commerce.
If you enjoyed the vibrant, chaotic energy of building a career in Dolemite Is My Name, you will appreciate this survey of the visionaries who constructed Manhattan.

Crook Manifesto
Colson Whitehead · Book
Explores: systemic corruption, 1970s urban decay, criminal underworld.
The 1970s setting and gritty urban atmosphere that grounded Dolemite Is My Name permeate this crime novel, capturing the same era with a sharp, noir-inflected perspective.
All About Me!
Mel Brooks · Book · 2021
Explores: Showbiz nostalgia, Creative legacy, Humor as survival.
Like the career-defining persistence seen in Dolemite Is My Name, this memoir highlights the lifelong dedication and sheer force of personality required to leave a lasting comedic mark.
Series on the same thread

Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker
Series · 2020
Shares a thread with Dolemite Is My Name: Self-Made Success.
You will find the same spirit of defying the odds and achieving self-made success in this series that made Dolemite Is My Name such an inspiring underdog story.

The Movies That Made Us
Brian Volk-Weiss · Series · 2019
Explores: Filmmaking, Movie History, Cultural Impact.
This series mirrors the behind-the-scenes fascination of Dolemite Is My Name, documenting the messy, high-stakes reality of filmmaking and the cultural impact of bold, creative risks.

The New Edition Story
Series · 2017
Explores: Fame and Fortune, Coming of Age, Group Dynamics.
Much like the trajectory of Rudy Ray Moore in Dolemite Is My Name, this story tracks the complex evolution of artists navigating the pressures of fame and industry.
Podcasts on the same thread

1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
Similar to how Dolemite Is My Name recontextualizes a cultural figure, this podcast challenges established historical narratives to provide a more honest look at the American foundation.
Barrio Bravo
Podcast
Explores: DIY, Making things up as you go, Creative Process.
The DIY, seat-of-your-pants ambition that drove the production in Dolemite Is My Name is perfectly captured in the chaotic and creative spirit of this improvised comedy podcast.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Dolemite Is My Name based on a true story?
Yes, Dolemite Is My Name is based on the true story of Rudy Ray Moore. The film follows his journey in the 1970s as he creates the iconic Dolemite character to find success on the big screen.
Who directed Dolemite Is My Name?
Dolemite Is My Name was directed by Craig Brewer. The movie chronicles the creative process of Rudy Ray Moore as he develops his famous pimp persona and brings his vision to life.
What is the primary focus of the plot in Dolemite Is My Name?
The plot of Dolemite Is My Name focuses on Rudy Ray Moore and his determination to create the Dolemite character. It details his efforts to translate his act from the comedy circuit to the big screen during the 1970s.
Is Dolemite Is My Name about the origin of a specific character?
Yes, Dolemite Is My Name tells the origin story of the iconic pimp character known as Dolemite. It depicts how Rudy Ray Moore developed this persona in the 1970s to launch his career in film.