Willie Nelson
Acting
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
Known for
Acting201
movieThe Man with the Big Hat
2026
Self (archive footage)
movieWillie and Me
2024
Willie Nelson / Bones
movieThe Greatest Night in Pop
2024
Self (archive footage)
movieJune
2023
Self
movieHeartbreakers at the BBC
2023
Self (archive footage)
movie2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
2022
Self (archive footage)
movieWillie Nelson: Live at Budokan
2022
Self (archive footage)
tvThis Is Pop
2021
Self (archive footage)
movieMy Darling Vivian
2020
Self (archive footage)
movieWaiting for the Miracle to Come
2019
Jimmy Riggs
movieQuincy
2018
Self
movieLost in London
2017
Willie Nelson
movieThe Highwaymen: Friends Till the End
2016
Self - Performer
movieZoolander 2
2016
Willie Nelson
tvThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015
Self - Musical Guest
movieAustin City Limits Celebrates 40 Years
2014
Self - Performer
movieCountry at the BBC
2011
Self (archive footage)
I Ride
2011
Willie Nelson
movieWillie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis Play the Music of Ray Charles
2009
Self - Vocals and Acoustic Guitar
movieDolly Parton & Friends: Love Always Live
2009
Self - Performer (archive footage)
movieO Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar
2009
Self (archive footage)
movieSurfer, Dude
2008
Farmer Bob
movieBeer for My Horses
2008
Charlie
movieSwing Vote
2008
Willie Nelson
movieBlonde Ambition
2007
Pap Paw
movieOpry Video Classics: Hall of Fame
2007
Self (archive footage)
movieOpry Video Classics : Legends
2007
Self (archive footage)
movieThe Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning
2007
Uncle Jesse
movieBeerfest
2006
Self (uncredited)
movieWillie Nelson: Live from Austin TX
2006
Self - Vocals (archive footage)
tvThe Colbert Report
2005
Self (uncredited)
movieThe Dukes of Hazzard
2005
Uncle Jesse Duke
movieBe Here to Love Me
2004
Self - Musician
movieThe Big Bounce
2004
Joe Lurie
movieRingo Rama
2003
Himself
tvJimmy Kimmel Live!
2003
Self - Musical Guest / Self - Guest
tvMonk
2002
Willie Nelson
movieAmerica | A Tribute to Heroes
2001
Self - Performer
movieThe Journeyman
2001
Samuel Hancock
movieAustin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
1999
Willie Nelson
movieA Tribute to Johnny Cash
1999
Self - Performer
movieOutlaw Justice
1999
Lee Walker
movieHalf Baked
1998
Historian Smoker
movieWag the Dog
1997
Johnny Dean
tvThe View
1997
Self - Guest
movieAnthem
1997
Self
movieGone Fishin'
1997
Billy 'Catch' Pooler
tvKing of the Hill
1997
Willie Nelson (voice)
movieThe World of Jim Henson
1994
Self (archive footage)
tvDr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
1993
Marshall Elias Burch
tvAdventures in Wonderland
1992
The Troubadour
movieWild Texas Wind
1991
Willie Nelson
movieAnother Pair of Aces: Three of a Kind
1991
Billy Roy Rodriguez
movieWWE WrestleMania VII
1991
Self - National Anthem
moviePair of Aces
1990
Billy Roy Barker
tvThe Simpsons
1989
Willie Nelson (voice)
movieOnce Upon a Texas Train
1988
John Henry Lee
movieHeartbeat
1987
Himself
movieRed Headed Stranger
1986
Rev. Julian Shay
movieStagecoach
1986
Doc Holliday
movieThe Last Days of Frank and Jesse James
1986
Gen. Jo Shelby
movieSongwriter
1984
Doc Jenkins
tvMiami Vice
1984
Texas Ranger Jake Pierson
movieThe Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team
1984
Self - Performer
movieComing Out of the Ice
1982
Red Loon
movieBarbarosa
1982
Barbarosa
tvChamps-Elysées
1982
Self (archive footage)
movieThief
1981
David 'Okla' Bertinneau
tvSolid Gold
1980
Self
tvSaturday Night Live
1975
Self - Host & Musical Guest / Self - Musical Guest
tvCMA Awards
1967
Self
tvThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
Self / Self (archive footage)
Sound6
tvSquidbillies
2005
Theme Song Performance
movieRed Headed Stranger
1986
Music, Original Music Composer
movieStagecoach
1986
Original Music Composer
movieSongwriter
1984
Songs
movieHoneysuckle Rose
1980
Original Music Composer
Production4
movieWillie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies
2025
Executive Producer
movieRed Headed Stranger
1986
Producer
movieStagecoach
1986
Executive Producer
movieStreetwise
1984
Executive Producer