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Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson

Acting

Born: April 30, 1933Abbott, Texas, USA

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
Filmography
The Man with the Big Hat

The Man with the Big Hat

Self (archive 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'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
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
Revolution: The Legacy of the Sixties

Revolution: The Legacy of the Sixties

2017
Pure Country: Pure Heart

Pure Country: Pure Heart

Himself

2017
Lost in London

Lost in London

Willie Nelson

2017
The Best Democracy Money Can Buy

The Best Democracy Money Can Buy

Self

2016
The Highwaymen: Friends Till the End

The Highwaymen: Friends Till the End

Self - Performer

2016
Road to Austin

Road to Austin

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
Johnny Cash: American Rebel

Johnny Cash: American Rebel

Self

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
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

Self

2011

Save the Farm

2011

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

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 : Legends

Opry Video Classics : Legends

Self (archive footage)

2007
Opry Video Classics: Hall of Fame

Opry Video Classics: Hall of Fame

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

Uncle Jesse

2007

Fighting With Anger

Will

2007
Glen Campbell | Good Times Again

Glen Campbell | Good Times Again

Self

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 Dukes of Hazzard

The Dukes of Hazzard

Uncle Jesse Duke

2005

Tootsie's Orchid Lounge: Where the Music Began

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

Self

2004
The Big Bounce

The Big Bounce

Joe Lurie

2004

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'

Self

2003

Farm Aid 2001 - A Concert For America

Himself

2002
The Country Bears

The Country Bears

Self

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

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

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

Self

1997
Anthem

Anthem

Self

1997
Gone Fishin'

Gone Fishin'

Billy 'Catch' Pooler

1997
The Beach Boys: Nashville Sounds

The Beach Boys: Nashville Sounds

Self

1996
Starlight

Starlight

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
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
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
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
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
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

Self

1983
Willie Nelson Live at the US Festival

Willie Nelson Live at the US Festival

Himself

1983

Willie Nelson & Family: In Concert

Himself

1983
Playboy Video Magazine: Volume 4

Playboy Video Magazine: Volume 4

Himself

1983
Coming Out of the Ice

Coming Out of the Ice

Red Loon

1982
Barbarosa

Barbarosa

Barbarosa

1982
Thief

Thief

David 'Okla' Bertinneau

1981
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

1979
Mickey's 50

Mickey's 50

Self

1978
A Poem Is a Naked Person

A Poem Is a Naked Person

Self

1974
Willie Nelson | Snape