Willie Nelson
Acting • Born 1933-04-30
Biography
Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 30, 1933) is an American country singer-songwriter, author, poet, actor, and activist. Nelson was one of the main figures of the Outlaw Movement, a subgenre of Country music that developed between the end of 1960s and early 1980s. The critical success of the albums Shotgun Willie, Phases and Stages, and the commercial success of Red Headed Stranger made Nelson one of the most recognized artists in country music. Nelson is also recognized for his contributions to charity, he is the president and one of the founding members of Farm Aid charity concert, and his activism for the legalization of marijuana and for the use of bio-fuels. Nelson started studying music from mail order material that his grandparents gave him. He wrote his first song at age seven and joined his first band at nine. During high school, he toured locally with the Bohemian Fiddlers as their lead singer and guitar player. After graduating from high school in 1950, he joined the Air Force. However, he was discharged due to back problems. After his return, Nelson attended Baylor University for two years but dropped out because he was succeeding in music. During this time, he worked as a disc jockey in Texas radio stations and a singer in honky tonks. Nelson moved to Vancouver, Washington, where he wrote "Family Bible" and recorded the song "Lumberjack" in 1956. In 1960, he signed a publishing contract with Pamper Music which allowed him to join Ray Price's band as a bassist. During that time, he wrote songs that would become country standards, including "Funny How Time Slips Away", "Hello Walls", "Pretty Paper", and "Crazy". In 1962, he recorded his first album, And Then I Wrote. Due to this success, Nelson signed in 1965 with RCA Victor and joined the Grand Ole Opry. Nelson is a major liberal activist and the co-chair of the advisory board of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, which is in favor of marijuana legalization. On the environmental front, Nelson owns the bio-diesel brand Willie Nelson Biodiesel, which is made from vegetable oil. He is the co-founder and president of Farm Aid, and has been contributing to the benefit concert series since the first event in 1985, organizing concerts and performing with other prominent artists. Nelson is also the Honorary Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Texas Music Project, the official music charity of the state of Texas. Description above from the Wikipedia article Willie Nelson, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia
Filmography
198 credits
Wag the Dog
Movie • 1997
Johnny Dean
The Electric Horseman
Movie • 1979
Wendell
Thief
Movie • 1981
David 'Okla' Bertinneau
The Dukes of Hazzard
Movie • 2005
Uncle Jesse Duke
Honeysuckle Rose
Movie • 1980
Buck
Heartbreakers at the BBC
Movie • 2023
Self (archive footage)
Barbarosa
Movie • 1982
Barbarosa
Gone Fishin'
Movie • 1997
Billy 'Catch' Pooler
Stagecoach
Movie • 1986
Doc Holliday
Beerfest
Movie • 2006
Self (uncredited)
Surfer, Dude
Movie • 2008
Farmer Bob
Farm Aid: 20th Anniversary Concert
Movie • 2005
Self
Be Here to Love Me
Movie • 2004
Self - Musician
A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!
Movie • 2008
Self
The Beach Boys: Nashville Sounds
Movie • 1996
Self
Hempsters: Plant the Seed
Movie • 2008
Himself
Willie Nelson 90: Long Story Short
Movie • 2023
Self
Songwriter
Movie • 1984
Doc Jenkins
Hells Angels Forever
Movie • 1983
Himself
Outlaw Justice
Movie • 1999
Lee Walker
The Highwaymen: On the Road Again
Movie • 2003
Self
John Mellencamp: It's About You
Movie • 2012
Self
Once Upon a Texas Train
Movie • 1988
John Henry Lee
Angels Sing
Movie • 2013
Nick
Joke Man
Movie • 2023
Self
A Tribute to Johnny Cash
Movie • 1999
Self - Performer
The Highwaymen: Live at Nassau Coliseum
Movie • 1990
Self
Where the Hell's That Gold?!!?
Movie • 1988
Cross
Kris Kristofferson: His Life and Work
Movie • 1993
Self
Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis Play the Music of Ray Charles
Movie • 2009
Self - Vocals and Acoustic Guitar
Happiness Is
Movie • 2009
Self
The Story of Darrell Royal
Movie • 1999
Self
Coming Out of the Ice
Movie • 1982
Red Loon
Willie Nelson: Live in Amsterdam
Movie • 2001
Himself
Kinky Friedman: Proud To Be An Asshole From El Paso
Movie • 2001
Self
9/11 Truth: Hollywood Speaks Up
Movie • 2011
Self
Another Pair of Aces: Three of a Kind
Movie • 1991
Billy Roy Rodriguez
Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin'
Movie • 2003
Self
Wild Texas Wind
Movie • 1991
Willie Nelson
Red Headed Stranger
Movie • 1986
Rev. Julian Shay
Road to Austin
Movie • 2016
Bob Dylan: The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration
Movie • 1993
Self
The Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story
Movie • 2010
Self
Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon
Movie • 2013
Self
Starlight
Movie • 1996
The King of Luck
Movie • 2011
Self
Glen Campbell | Good Times Again
Movie • 2007
Self
All About Ann: Governor Richards of the Lone Star State
Movie • 2014
Self
Celebrating the Man in Black: The Making of Walk the Line
Movie • 2006
Self
Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration
Movie • 1988
Self
June
Movie • 2023
Self
Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz
Movie • 1988
Willie Nelson
Waylon: Renegade. Outlaw. Legend.
Movie • 1990
Self
Dolly Parton & Friends: Love Always Live
Movie • 2009
Self - Performer (archive footage)
Beer for My Horses
Movie • 2008
Charlie
The Greatest Night in Pop
Movie • 2024
Self (archive footage)
Walking After Midnight
Movie • 1988
Self
Pair of Aces
Movie • 1990
Billy Roy Barker
Blonde Ambition
Movie • 2007
Pap Paw
Heartbeat
Movie • 1987
Himself
Tootsie's Orchid Lounge: Where the Music Began
Movie • 2005
self
Swing Vote
Movie • 2008
Willie Nelson
Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas
Movie • 2022
Self
2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Movie • 2022
Self (archive footage)
Big Dreams & Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story
Movie • 1995
Willie Nelson
Johnny Cash: American Rebel
Movie • 2015
Self
I Ride
Movie • 2011
Willie Nelson
Fighting With Anger
Movie • 2007
Will
Willie Nelson Live at the US Festival
Movie • 1983
Himself
Willie Nelson - Live at Billy Bob's Texas
Movie • 2004
Self
Honky Tonk Heaven: Legend of the Broken Spoke
Movie • 2016
Self
Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl
Movie • 2016
Self
Willie Nelson's 4th of July Celebration
Movie • 1979
Willie Nelson: Live from Austin TX
Movie • 2006
Self - Vocals (archive footage)
The Big Bounce
Movie • 2004
Joe Lurie
The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning
Movie • 2007
Jesse Duke
The King of Texas
Movie • 2008
Self
Zoolander 2
Movie • 2016
Willie Nelson
Playboy Video Magazine: Volume 4
Movie • 1983
Himself
The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James
Movie • 1986
Gen. Jo Shelby
A Poem Is a Naked Person
Movie • 1974
Self
Willie and Me
Movie • 2024
Willie Nelson / Bones
Lost in London
Movie • 2017
Willie Nelson
The Journeyman
Movie • 2001
Samuel Hancock
The American Epic Sessions
Movie • 2016
Self
Opry Video Classics: Hall of Fame
Movie • 2007
Self (archive footage)
Outlaw Country: Live from Austin, TX
Movie • 2006
Self
Jerry Lee Lewis: Last Man Standing, Live
Movie • 2007
Self
Willie Nelson at the Teatro
Movie • 1998
Self
The Highwaymen - Live American Outlaws
Movie • 2016
Self
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Movie • 1999
Willie Nelson
Paradox
Movie • 2018
Red
American Revolutions: The Highwaymen
Movie • 2006
Self
The Country Bears
Movie • 2002
Self
Merle Haggard: The Real Deal
Movie • 2008
Self
The Highwaymen: Friends Till the End
Movie • 2016
Self - Performer
This Land Is Your Land - Folk Years
Movie • 2002
Half Baked
Movie • 1998
Historian Smoker
OK Buckaroos
Movie • 2010
Also Starring Austin
Movie • 2018
Willie Nelson: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize For Popular Song
Movie • 2016
Self
Charley Pride: I'm Just Me
Movie • 2019
Self
We Walk The Line: A Celebration of the Music of Johnny Cash
Movie • 2012
Self
Elvis | Viva Las Vegas
Movie • 2008
Self
Willie Nelson Live @ SXSW
Movie • 2014
self
Opry Video Classics : Legends
Movie • 2007
Self (archive footage)
Farm Aid 2001 - A Concert For America
Movie • 2002
Himself
The Willie Nelson Special - With Special Guest Ray Charles
Movie • 2002
Self
Willie Nelson & Friends: Outlaws & Angels
Movie • 2004
Self
Quincy
Movie • 2018
Self
Waiting for the Miracle to Come
Movie • 2019
Jimmy Riggs
Last of the Breed: Live in Concert
Movie • 2007
Himself
The Art of McCartney
Movie • 2014
Self
Mickey's 50
Movie • 1978
Self
The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1980
Movie • 1980
Willie Nelson at Austin City Limits
Movie • 2019
Self
Willie Nelson & Family: In Concert
Movie • 1983
Himself
Willie Nelson: Greatest Hits Live
Movie • 1999
Himself
Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President
Movie • 2020
Self
Anthem
Movie • 1997
Self
Austin City Limits Celebrates 40 Years
Movie • 2014
Self - Performer
The World of Jim Henson
Movie • 1994
Self (archive footage)
America | A Tribute to Heroes
Movie • 2001
Self - Performer
My Darling Vivian
Movie • 2020
Self (archive footage)
We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song
Movie • 1985
Self
Willie Nelson: The Big Six-O
Movie • 1993
Self
I Am Johnny Cash
Movie • 2015
Self
Broken Bridges
Movie • 2006
self
Kenny, Dolly & Willie: Something Inside So Strong
Movie • 1989
Self
WWE WrestleMania VII
Movie • 1991
Self - National Anthem
Ray Charles: Genius Loves Company
Movie • 2004
Self
Dolly Parton: A MusiCares Tribute
Movie • 2021
Self
Willie Nelson American Outlaw
Movie • 2020
Self
Emmylou Harris: From a Deeper Well
Movie • 2003
Self
Dust to Dust
Movie • 1994
Pure Country: Pure Heart
Movie • 2017
Himself
Country Kings at the BBC
Movie • 2014
Baja Oklahoma
Movie • 1988
Self
The Best Democracy Money Can Buy
Movie • 2016
Self
The Obama Deception
Movie • 2009
Self
Last Party 2000
Movie • 2001
Self
Chet Atkins and Friends
Movie • 1987
O Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar
Movie • 2009
Self (archive footage)
Dill Scallion
Movie • 1999
Self
Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies
Movie • 2025
Self
In the Hank Williams Tradition
Movie • 1989
Self
Willie Nelson: Live at Budokan
Movie • 2022
Self (archive footage)
Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007
Movie • 2007
Self
The Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team
Movie • 1984
Self - Performer
Some Enchanted Evening: Celebrating Oscar Hammerstein II
Movie • 1995
Self
Willie Nelson's 90th Birthday Celebration
Movie • 2023
Self
Revolution: The Legacy of the Sixties
Movie • 2017
Willie Nelson & Leon Russel - Partners In Music
Movie • 2005
Ringo Rama
Movie • 2003
Himself
It's Happiness: A Polka Documentary
Movie • 2006
Self
Willie Nelson: Down Home
Movie • 1997
Self
Chet Atkins: A Life in Music
Movie • 2000
Self
The Country Bears Concert for America
Movie • 2002
Self
Save the Farm
Movie • 2011
Willie Nelson - Austin City Limits '74
Movie
Himself
The Man with the Big Hat
Movie • 2026
Archival Footage
The Simpsons
TV • 1989
Willie Nelson (voice)
The Daily Show
TV • 1996
Self
Miami Vice
TV • 1984
Texas Ranger Jake Pierson
The View
TV • 1997
Self - Guest
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
TV • 1992
Space Ghost Coast to Coast
TV • 1994
Solid Gold
TV • 1980
Self
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
TV • 1993
Marshall Elias Burch
The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
TV • 1969
Self
Austin City Limits
TV • 1975
Self
The Kennedy Center Honors
TV • 1978
Self
CMA Music Festival
TV • 2004
Self
This Is Pop
TV • 2021
Self (archive footage)
Saturday Night Live
TV • 1975
Self - Host & Musical Guest
The Muppets
TV • 2015
Self
Hot Country Nights
TV • 1991
Monk
TV • 2002
Willie Nelson
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
TV • 2003
Self - Musical Guest
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
TV • 1996
Self
OBJECTified
TV • 2017
Self
Saturday Night Live
TV • 1975
Self - Musical Guest
CMT Crossroads
TV • 2002
Self
VH1 Storytellers
TV • 2005
Self
Champs-Elysées
TV • 1982
Self (archive footage)
King of the Hill
TV • 1997
Willie Nelson (voice)
Willie Nelson & Family
TV • 2023
Self
Real Time with Bill Maher
TV • 2003
Self
Delta
TV • 1992
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
TV • 2015
Self - Musical Guest
Adventures in Wonderland
TV • 1992
The Troubadour
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
TV • 1962
Self
Late Night with Seth Meyers
TV • 2014
Self
American Epic
TV • 2017
Self
CMA Awards
TV • 1967
Self
NWA World Championship Wrestling
TV • 1985
Self
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
TV • 2003
Self - Guest
The Colbert Report
TV • 2005
Self (uncredited)