Acting · Abbott, Texas, USA · Born April 30, 1933
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
MovieThe Man with the Big Hat
2026
as Self (archive footage)
MovieWillie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies
2025
as Self
MovieWillie and Me
2024
as Willie Nelson / Bones
MovieThe Greatest Night in Pop
2024
as Self (archive footage)
TVWillie Nelson & Family
2023
as Self
MovieWillie Nelson's 90th Birthday Celebration
2023
as Self
MovieJune
2023
as Self
MovieJoke Man
2023
as Self
MovieWillie Nelson 90: Long Story Short
2023
as Self
MovieHeartbreakers at the BBC
2023
as Self (archive footage)
MovieDolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas
2022
as Self
Movie2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
2022
as Self (archive footage)
MovieWillie Nelson: Live at Budokan
2022
as Self (archive footage)
MovieDolly Parton: A MusiCares Tribute
2021
as Self
TVThis Is Pop
2021
as Self (archive footage)
MovieJimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President
2020
as Self
MovieMy Darling Vivian
2020
as Self (archive footage)
MovieWillie Nelson American Outlaw
2020
as Self
MovieWaiting for the Miracle to Come
2019
as Jimmy Riggs
MovieCharley Pride: I'm Just Me
2019
as Self
MovieWillie Nelson at Austin City Limits
2019
as Self
MovieQuincy
2018
as Self
MovieAlso Starring Austin
2018
MovieParadox
2018
as Red
TVOBJECTified
2017
as Self
MovieRevolution: The Legacy of the Sixties
2017
MoviePure Country: Pure Heart
2017
as Himself
TVAmerican Epic
2017
as Self
MovieLost in London
2017
as Willie Nelson
MovieThe Best Democracy Money Can Buy
2016
as Self
MovieRoad to Austin
2016
as Self
MovieThe Highwaymen: Friends Till the End
2016
as Self - Performer
MovieThe Highwaymen - Live American Outlaws
2016
as Self
MovieThe American Epic Sessions
2016
as Self
MovieHonky Tonk Heaven: Legend of the Broken Spoke
2016
as Self
MovieLoretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl
2016
as Self
MovieZoolander 2
2016
as Willie Nelson
MovieWillie Nelson: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize For Popular Song
2016
as Self
TVThe Muppets
2015
as Self
MovieJohnny Cash: American Rebel
2015
as Self
TVThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015
as Self - Musical Guest
MovieI Am Johnny Cash
2015
as Self
MovieCountry Kings at the BBC
2014
MovieAustin City Limits Celebrates 40 Years
2014
as Self - Performer
MovieThe Art of McCartney
2014
as Self
MovieAll About Ann: Governor Richards of the Lone Star State
2014
as Self
MovieWillie Nelson Live @ SXSW
2014
as self
TVLate Night with Seth Meyers
2014
as Self
MovieAngels Sing
2013
as Nick
MovieSupermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon
2013
as Self
MovieWe Walk The Line: A Celebration of the Music of Johnny Cash
2012
as Self
MovieJohn Mellencamp: It's About You
2012
as Self
MovieCountry at the BBC
2011
as Self (archive footage)
9/11 Truth: Hollywood Speaks Up
2011
as Self
Save the Farm
2011
I Ride
2011
as Willie Nelson
MovieThe King of Luck
2011
as Self
MovieOK Buckaroos
2010
MovieThe Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story
2010
as Self
MovieWillie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis Play the Music of Ray Charles
2009
as Self - Vocals and Acoustic Guitar
Happiness Is
2009
as Self
MovieThe Obama Deception
2009
as Self
MovieDolly Parton & Friends: Love Always Live
2009
as Self - Performer (archive footage)
MovieO Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar
2009
as Self (archive footage)
MovieMerle Haggard: The Real Deal
2008
as Self
MovieA Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!
2008
as Self
MovieWillie Nelson / Wynton Marsalis - Live from Jazz at Lincoln Center, NYC
2008
as Chanteur
MovieElvis | Viva Las Vegas
2008
as Self
MovieSurfer, Dude
2008
as Farmer Bob
MovieBeer for My Horses
2008
as Charlie
MovieSwing Vote
2008
as Willie Nelson
MovieHempsters: Plant the Seed
2008
as Himself
MovieThe King of Texas
2008
as Self
MovieBlonde Ambition
2007
as Pap Paw
MovieEric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007
2007
as Self
MovieOpry Video Classics: Hall of Fame
2007
as Self (archive footage)
MovieOpry Video Classics : Legends
2007
as Self (archive footage)
MovieLast of the Breed: Live in Concert
2007
as Himself
MovieJerry Lee Lewis: Last Man Standing, Live
2007
as Self
MovieThe Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning
2007
as Uncle Jesse
MovieGlen Campbell | Good Times Again
2007
as Self
Fighting With Anger
2007
as Will
MovieAmerican Revolutions: The Highwaymen
2006
as Self
MovieOutlaw Country: Live from Austin, TX
2006
as Self
MovieIt's Happiness: A Polka Documentary
2006
as Self
MovieBroken Bridges
2006
as self
MovieBeerfest
2006
as Self (uncredited)
MovieCelebrating the Man in Black: The Making of Walk the Line
2006
as Self
MovieWillie Nelson: Live from Austin TX
2006
as Self - Vocals (archive footage)
MovieFarm Aid: 20th Anniversary Concert
2005
as Self
TVThe Colbert Report
2005
as Self (uncredited)
MovieThe Dukes of Hazzard
2005
as Uncle Jesse Duke
Tootsie's Orchid Lounge: Where the Music Began
2005
as self
TVVH1 Storytellers
2005
as Self
MovieWillie Nelson & Leon Russel - Partners In Music
2005
MovieWillie Nelson & Friends: Outlaws & Angels
2004
as Self
MovieBe Here to Love Me
2004
as Self - Musician
Ray Charles: Genius Loves Company
2004
as Self
CMA Music Festival
2004
as Self
MovieThe Big Bounce
2004
as Joe Lurie
Willie Nelson - Live at Billy Bob's Texas
2004
as Self
MovieEmmylou Harris: From a Deeper Well
2003
as Self
MovieRingo Rama
2003
as Himself
MovieThe Highwaymen: On the Road Again
2003
as Self
MovieWillie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin'
2003
as Self
TVReal Time with Bill Maher
2003
as Self
TVJimmy Kimmel Live!
2003
as Self - Musical Guest
Farm Aid 2001 - A Concert For America
2002
as Himself
MovieThe Country Bears
2002
as Self
TVMonk
2002
as Willie Nelson
MovieThe Willie Nelson Special - With Special Guest Ray Charles
2002
as Self
MovieThe Country Bears Concert for America
2002
as Self
This Land Is Your Land - Folk Years
2002
TVCMT Crossroads
2002
as Self
MovieLast Party 2000
2001
as Self
MovieAmerica | A Tribute to Heroes
2001
as Self - Performer
MovieWillie Nelson: Live in Amsterdam
2001
as Himself
MovieThe Journeyman
2001
as Samuel Hancock
MovieKinky Friedman: Proud To Be An Asshole From El Paso
2001
as Self
TVAustin City Limits: Country
2001
as Self
MovieChet Atkins: A Life in Music
2000
as Self
MovieDill Scallion
1999
as Self
MovieWillie Nelson: Greatest Hits Live
1999
as Himself
MovieAustin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
1999
as Willie Nelson
MovieA Tribute to Johnny Cash
1999
as Self - Performer
MovieOutlaw Justice
1999
as Lee Walker
The Story of Darrell Royal
1999
as Self
MovieHalf Baked
1998
as Historian Smoker
MovieWillie Nelson at the Teatro
1998
as Self
MovieWag the Dog
1997
as Johnny Dean
Willie Nelson: Down Home
1997
as Self
TVThe View
1997
as Self - Guest
MovieAnthem
1997
as Self
MovieGone Fishin'
1997
as Billy 'Catch' Pooler
TVKing of the Hill
1997
as Willie Nelson (voice)
MovieThe Beach Boys: Nashville Sounds
1996
as Self
TVThe Daily Show
1996
as Self
MovieStarlight
1996
TVThe Rosie O'Donnell Show
1996
as Self
MovieSome Enchanted Evening: Celebrating Oscar Hammerstein II
1995
as Self
MovieBig Dreams & Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story
1995
as Willie Nelson
MovieThe World of Jim Henson
1994
as Self (archive footage)
MovieDust to Dust
1994
TVSpace Ghost Coast to Coast
1994
as Self
MovieKris Kristofferson: His Life and Work
1993
as Self
MovieWillie Nelson: The Big Six-O
1993
as Self
MovieBob Dylan: The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration
1993
as Self
TVDr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
1993
as Marshall Elias Burch
TVDelta
1992
TVThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992
TVAdventures in Wonderland
1992
as The Troubadour
Hot Country Nights
1991
MovieWild Texas Wind
1991
as Willie Nelson
MovieAnother Pair of Aces: Three of a Kind
1991
as Billy Roy Rodriguez
MovieWWE WrestleMania VII
1991
as Self - National Anthem
MovieThe Highwaymen: Live at Nassau Coliseum
1990
as Self
MoviePair of Aces
1990
as Billy Roy Barker
MovieWaylon: Renegade. Outlaw. Legend.
1990
as Self
TVThe Simpsons
1989
as Willie Nelson (voice)
MovieKenny, Dolly & Willie: Something Inside So Strong
1989
as Self
MovieSome Enchanted Evening With Willie Nelson
1989
as Self
MovieIn the Hank Williams Tradition
1989
as Self
MovieWhere the Hell's That Gold?!!?
1988
as Cross
MovieOnce Upon a Texas Train
1988
as John Henry Lee
MovieJoan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz
1988
as Willie Nelson
MovieIrving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration
1988
as Self
MovieBaja Oklahoma
1988
as Self
MovieWalking After Midnight
1988
as Self
MovieChet Atkins and Friends
1987
MovieHeartbeat
1987
as Himself
MovieRed Headed Stranger
1986
as Rev. Julian Shay
MovieStagecoach
1986
as Doc Holliday
MovieThe Last Days of Frank and Jesse James
1986
as Gen. Jo Shelby
TVNWA World Championship Wrestling
1985
as Self
MovieWe Are the World: The Story Behind the Song
1985
as Self
MovieSongwriter
1984
as Doc Jenkins
TVMiami Vice
1984
as Texas Ranger Jake Pierson
MovieThe Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team
1984
as Self - Performer
MovieHells Angels Forever
1983
as Self
MoviePlayboy Video Magazine, Volume 4
1983
as Himself
MovieWillie Nelson Live at the US Festival
1983
as Himself
Willie Nelson & Family: In Concert
1983
as Himself
MovieComing Out of the Ice
1982
as Red Loon
MovieBarbarosa
1982
as Barbarosa
TVChamps-Elysées
1982
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThief
1981
as David 'Okla' Bertinneau
TVSolid Gold
1980
as Self
MovieHoneysuckle Rose
1980
as Buck
MovieThe Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1980
1980
MovieThe Electric Horseman
1979
as Wendell
Willie Nelson's 4th of July Celebration
1979
TVThe Kennedy Center Honors
1978
as Self
MovieMickey's 50
1978
as Self
TVSaturday Night Live
1975
as Self - Host & Musical Guest
TVAustin City Limits
1975
as Self
MovieA Poem Is a Naked Person
1974
as Self
TVThe Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
1969
as Self
TVCMA Awards
1967
as Self
TVThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
as Self
Willie Nelson - Austin City Limits '74
as Himself
MovieWillie Nelson & Friends: Stars & Guitars
as Himself
