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Willie Nelson

Acting 92 years old Abbott, Texas, USA ★ 1.1
Born: April 30, 1933

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

Acting Credits (198)

The Man with the Big Hat
The Man with the Big Hat Archival Footage 2026
Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies
Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies Self 2025
Willie and Me
Willie and Me Willie Nelson / Bones 2024
The Greatest Night in Pop
The Greatest Night in Pop Self (archive footage) 2024
Willie Nelson & Family
Willie Nelson & Family Self 2023
Willie Nelson's 90th Birthday Celebration
Willie Nelson's 90th Birthday Celebration Self 2023
June
June Self 2023
Joke Man
Joke Man Self 2023
Willie Nelson 90: Long Story Short
Willie Nelson 90: Long Story Short Self 2023
Heartbreakers at the BBC
Heartbreakers at the BBC Self (archive footage) 2023
Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas
Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas Self 2022
2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Self (archive footage) 2022
Willie Nelson: Live at Budokan
Willie Nelson: Live at Budokan Self (archive footage) 2022
Dolly Parton: A MusiCares Tribute
Dolly Parton: A MusiCares Tribute Self 2021
This Is Pop
This Is Pop Self (archive footage) 2021
Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President
Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President Self 2020
My Darling Vivian
My Darling Vivian Self (archive footage) 2020
Willie Nelson American Outlaw
Willie Nelson American Outlaw Self 2020
Waiting for the Miracle to Come
Waiting for the Miracle to Come Jimmy Riggs 2019
Charley Pride: I'm Just Me
Charley Pride: I'm Just Me Self 2019
Willie Nelson at Austin City Limits
Willie Nelson at Austin City Limits Self 2019
Quincy
Quincy Self 2018
Also Starring Austin
Also Starring Austin 2018
Paradox
Paradox Red 2018
OBJECTified
OBJECTified Self 2017
Revolution: The Legacy of the Sixties
Revolution: The Legacy of the Sixties 2017
Pure Country: Pure Heart
Pure Country: Pure Heart Himself 2017
American Epic
American Epic Self 2017
Lost in London
Lost in London Willie Nelson 2017
The Best Democracy Money Can Buy
The Best Democracy Money Can Buy Self 2016
Road to Austin
Road to Austin 2016
The Highwaymen: Friends Till the End
The Highwaymen: Friends Till the End Self - Performer 2016
The Highwaymen - Live American Outlaws
The Highwaymen - Live American Outlaws Self 2016
The American Epic Sessions
The American Epic Sessions Self 2016
Honky Tonk Heaven: Legend of the Broken Spoke
Honky Tonk Heaven: Legend of the Broken Spoke Self 2016
Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl
Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl Self 2016
Zoolander 2
Zoolander 2 Willie Nelson 2016
Willie Nelson: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize For Popular Song
Willie Nelson: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize For Popular Song Self 2016
The Muppets
The Muppets Self 2015
Johnny Cash: American Rebel
Johnny Cash: American Rebel Self 2015
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Self - Musical Guest 2015
I Am Johnny Cash
I Am Johnny Cash Self 2015
Country Kings at the BBC
Country Kings at the BBC 2014
Austin City Limits Celebrates 40 Years
Austin City Limits Celebrates 40 Years Self - Performer 2014
The Art of McCartney
The Art of McCartney Self 2014
All About Ann: Governor Richards of the Lone Star State
All About Ann: Governor Richards of the Lone Star State Self 2014
Willie Nelson Live @ SXSW
Willie Nelson Live @ SXSW self 2014
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Late Night with Seth Meyers Self 2014
Angels Sing
Angels Sing Nick 2013
Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon
Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon Self 2013
We Walk The Line: A Celebration of the Music of Johnny Cash
We Walk The Line: A Celebration of the Music of Johnny Cash Self 2012
John Mellencamp: It's About You
John Mellencamp: It's About You Self 2012
9/11 Truth: Hollywood Speaks Up
9/11 Truth: Hollywood Speaks Up Self 2011
Save the Farm
Save the Farm 2011
I Ride
I Ride Willie Nelson 2011
The King of Luck
The King of Luck Self 2011
OK Buckaroos
OK Buckaroos 2010
The Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story
The Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story Self 2010
Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis Play the Music of Ray Charles
Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis Play the Music of Ray Charles Self - Vocals and Acoustic Guitar 2009
Happiness Is
Happiness Is Self 2009
The Obama Deception
The Obama Deception Self 2009
Dolly Parton & Friends: Love Always Live
Dolly Parton & Friends: Love Always Live Self - Performer (archive footage) 2009
O Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar
O Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar Self (archive footage) 2009
Merle Haggard: The Real Deal
Merle Haggard: The Real Deal Self 2008
A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!
A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All! Self 2008
Elvis | Viva Las Vegas
Elvis | Viva Las Vegas Self 2008
Surfer, Dude
Surfer, Dude Farmer Bob 2008
Beer for My Horses
Beer for My Horses Charlie 2008
Swing Vote
Swing Vote Willie Nelson 2008
Hempsters: Plant the Seed
Hempsters: Plant the Seed Himself 2008
The King of Texas
The King of Texas Self 2008
Blonde Ambition
Blonde Ambition Pap Paw 2007
Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007
Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007 Self 2007
Opry Video Classics: Hall of Fame
Opry Video Classics: Hall of Fame Self (archive footage) 2007
Opry Video Classics : Legends
Opry Video Classics : Legends Self (archive footage) 2007
Last of the Breed: Live in Concert
Last of the Breed: Live in Concert Himself 2007
Jerry Lee Lewis: Last Man Standing, Live
Jerry Lee Lewis: Last Man Standing, Live Self 2007
The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning
The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning Jesse Duke 2007
Glen Campbell | Good Times Again
Glen Campbell | Good Times Again Self 2007
Fighting With Anger
Fighting With Anger Will 2007
American Revolutions: The Highwaymen
American Revolutions: The Highwaymen Self 2006
Outlaw Country: Live from Austin, TX
Outlaw Country: Live from Austin, TX Self 2006
It's Happiness: A Polka Documentary
It's Happiness: A Polka Documentary Self 2006
Broken Bridges
Broken Bridges self 2006
Beerfest
Beerfest Self (uncredited) 2006
Celebrating the Man in Black: The Making of Walk the Line
Celebrating the Man in Black: The Making of Walk the Line Self 2006
Willie Nelson: Live from Austin TX
Willie Nelson: Live from Austin TX Self - Vocals (archive footage) 2006
Farm Aid: 20th Anniversary Concert
Farm Aid: 20th Anniversary Concert Self 2005
The Colbert Report
The Colbert Report Self (uncredited) 2005
The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard Uncle Jesse Duke 2005
Tootsie's Orchid Lounge: Where the Music Began
Tootsie's Orchid Lounge: Where the Music Began self 2005
VH1 Storytellers
VH1 Storytellers Self 2005
Willie Nelson & Leon Russel - Partners In Music
Willie Nelson & Leon Russel - Partners In Music 2005
Willie Nelson & Friends: Outlaws & Angels
Willie Nelson & Friends: Outlaws & Angels Self 2004
Be Here to Love Me
Be Here to Love Me Self - Musician 2004
Ray Charles: Genius Loves Company
Ray Charles: Genius Loves Company Self 2004
CMA Music Festival
CMA Music Festival Self 2004
The Big Bounce
The Big Bounce Joe Lurie 2004
Willie Nelson - Live at Billy Bob's Texas
Willie Nelson - Live at Billy Bob's Texas Self 2004
Emmylou Harris: From a Deeper Well
Emmylou Harris: From a Deeper Well Self 2003
Ringo Rama
Ringo Rama Himself 2003
The Highwaymen: On the Road Again
The Highwaymen: On the Road Again Self 2003
Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin'
Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin' Self 2003
Real Time with Bill Maher
Real Time with Bill Maher Self 2003
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Jimmy Kimmel Live! Self - Musical Guest 2003
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Jimmy Kimmel Live! Self - Guest 2003
Farm Aid 2001 - A Concert For America
Farm Aid 2001 - A Concert For America Himself 2002
The Country Bears
The Country Bears Self 2002
Monk
Monk Willie Nelson 2002
The Willie Nelson Special - With Special Guest Ray Charles
The Willie Nelson Special - With Special Guest Ray Charles Self 2002
The Country Bears Concert for America
The Country Bears Concert for America Self 2002
This Land Is Your Land - Folk Years
This Land Is Your Land - Folk Years 2002
CMT Crossroads
CMT Crossroads Self 2002
Last Party 2000
Last Party 2000 Self 2001
America | A Tribute to Heroes
America | A Tribute to Heroes Self - Performer 2001
Willie Nelson: Live in Amsterdam
Willie Nelson: Live in Amsterdam Himself 2001
The Journeyman
The Journeyman Samuel Hancock 2001
Kinky Friedman: Proud To Be An Asshole From El Paso
Kinky Friedman: Proud To Be An Asshole From El Paso Self 2001
Chet Atkins: A Life in Music
Chet Atkins: A Life in Music Self 2000
Dill Scallion
Dill Scallion Self 1999
Willie Nelson: Greatest Hits Live
Willie Nelson: Greatest Hits Live Himself 1999
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me Willie Nelson 1999
A Tribute to Johnny Cash
A Tribute to Johnny Cash Self - Performer 1999
Outlaw Justice
Outlaw Justice Lee Walker 1999
The Story of Darrell Royal
The Story of Darrell Royal Self 1999
Half Baked
Half Baked Historian Smoker 1998
Willie Nelson at the Teatro
Willie Nelson at the Teatro Self 1998
Wag the Dog
Wag the Dog Johnny Dean 1997
Willie Nelson: Down Home
Willie Nelson: Down Home Self 1997
The View
The View Self - Guest 1997
Anthem
Anthem Self 1997
Gone Fishin'
Gone Fishin' Billy 'Catch' Pooler 1997
King of the Hill
King of the Hill Willie Nelson (voice) 1997
The Beach Boys: Nashville Sounds
The Beach Boys: Nashville Sounds Self 1996
The Daily Show
The Daily Show Self 1996
Starlight
Starlight 1996
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
The Rosie O'Donnell Show Self 1996
Some Enchanted Evening: Celebrating Oscar Hammerstein II
Some Enchanted Evening: Celebrating Oscar Hammerstein II Self 1995
Big Dreams & Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story
Big Dreams & Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story Willie Nelson 1995
The World of Jim Henson
The World of Jim Henson Self (archive footage) 1994
Dust to Dust
Dust to Dust 1994
Space Ghost Coast to Coast
Space Ghost Coast to Coast 1994
Kris Kristofferson: His Life and Work
Kris Kristofferson: His Life and Work Self 1993
Willie Nelson: The Big Six-O
Willie Nelson: The Big Six-O Self 1993
Bob Dylan: The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration
Bob Dylan: The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration Self 1993
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Marshall Elias Burch 1993
Delta
Delta 1992
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno 1992
Adventures in Wonderland
Adventures in Wonderland The Troubadour 1992
Hot Country Nights
Hot Country Nights 1991
Wild Texas Wind
Wild Texas Wind Willie Nelson 1991
Another Pair of Aces: Three of a Kind
Another Pair of Aces: Three of a Kind Billy Roy Rodriguez 1991
WWE WrestleMania VII
WWE WrestleMania VII Self - National Anthem 1991
The Highwaymen: Live at Nassau Coliseum
The Highwaymen: Live at Nassau Coliseum Self 1990
Pair of Aces
Pair of Aces Billy Roy Barker 1990
Waylon: Renegade. Outlaw. Legend.
Waylon: Renegade. Outlaw. Legend. Self 1990
The Simpsons
The Simpsons Willie Nelson (voice) 1989
Kenny, Dolly & Willie: Something Inside So Strong
Kenny, Dolly & Willie: Something Inside So Strong Self 1989
In the Hank Williams Tradition
In the Hank Williams Tradition Self 1989
Where the Hell's That Gold?!!?
Where the Hell's That Gold?!!? Cross 1988
Once Upon a Texas Train
Once Upon a Texas Train John Henry Lee 1988
Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz
Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz Willie Nelson 1988
Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration
Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration Self 1988
Baja Oklahoma
Baja Oklahoma Self 1988
Walking After Midnight
Walking After Midnight Self 1988
Chet Atkins and Friends
Chet Atkins and Friends 1987
Heartbeat
Heartbeat Himself 1987
Red Headed Stranger
Red Headed Stranger Rev. Julian Shay 1986
Stagecoach
Stagecoach Doc Holliday 1986
The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James
The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James Gen. Jo Shelby 1986
NWA World Championship Wrestling
NWA World Championship Wrestling Self 1985
We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song
We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song Self 1985
Songwriter
Songwriter Doc Jenkins 1984
Miami Vice
Miami Vice Texas Ranger Jake Pierson 1984
The Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team
The Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team Self - Performer 1984
Hells Angels Forever
Hells Angels Forever Himself 1983
Willie Nelson Live at the US Festival
Willie Nelson Live at the US Festival Himself 1983
Playboy Video Magazine: Volume 4
Playboy Video Magazine: Volume 4 Himself 1983
Willie Nelson & Family: In Concert
Willie Nelson & Family: In Concert Himself 1983
Coming Out of the Ice
Coming Out of the Ice Red Loon 1982
Barbarosa
Barbarosa Barbarosa 1982
Champs-Elysées
Champs-Elysées Self (archive footage) 1982
Thief
Thief David 'Okla' Bertinneau 1981
Solid Gold
Solid Gold Self 1980
Honeysuckle Rose
Honeysuckle Rose Buck 1980
The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1980
The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1980 1980
The Electric Horseman
The Electric Horseman Wendell 1979
Willie Nelson's 4th of July Celebration
Willie Nelson's 4th of July Celebration 1979
The Kennedy Center Honors
The Kennedy Center Honors Self 1978
Mickey's 50
Mickey's 50 Self 1978
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live Self - Host & Musical Guest 1975
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live Self - Musical Guest 1975
Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits Self 1975
A Poem Is a Naked Person
A Poem Is a Naked Person Self 1974
The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour Self 1969
CMA Awards
CMA Awards Self 1967
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Self 1962
Willie Nelson - Austin City Limits '74
Willie Nelson - Austin City Limits '74 Himself

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