The Man with the Big Hat
2026 · Movie
as Self (archive footage)
Willie Nelson
1933-04-30
•
Abbott, Texas, USA
Writers:
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
Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies
2025 · Movie
as Self
The Greatest Night in Pop
2024 · Movie
as Self (archive footage)
Willie and Me
2024 · Movie
as Willie Nelson / Bones
Heartbreakers at the BBC
2023 · Movie
as Self (archive footage)
Willie Nelson 90: Long Story Short
2023 · Movie
as Self
Joke Man
2023 · Movie
as Self
June
2023 · Movie
as Self
Willie Nelson's 90th Birthday Celebration
2023 · Movie
as Self
Willie Nelson & Family
2023 · TV Show
as Self
Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas
2022 · Movie
as Self
2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
2022 · Movie
as Self (archive footage)
Willie Nelson: Live at Budokan
2022 · Movie
as Self (archive footage)
Dolly Parton: A MusiCares Tribute
2021 · Movie
as Self
This Is Pop
2021 · TV Show
as Self (archive footage)
Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President
2020 · Movie
as Self
My Darling Vivian
2020 · Movie
as Self (archive footage)
Willie Nelson American Outlaw
2020 · Movie
as Self
Charley Pride: I'm Just Me
2019 · Movie
as Self
Waiting for the Miracle to Come
2019 · Movie
as Jimmy Riggs
Willie Nelson at Austin City Limits
2019 · Movie
as Self
Paradox
2018 · Movie
as Red
Also Starring Austin
2018 · Movie
Quincy
2018 · Movie
as Self
Lost in London
2017 · Movie
as Willie Nelson
Pure Country: Pure Heart
2017 · Movie
as Himself
Revolution: The Legacy of the Sixties
2017 · Movie
OBJECTified
2017 · TV Show
as Self
American Epic
2017 · TV Show
as Self
Road to Austin
2016 · Movie
as Self
Honky Tonk Heaven: Legend of the Broken Spoke
2016 · Movie
as Self
Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl
2016 · Movie
as Self
Zoolander 2
2016 · Movie
as Willie Nelson
The American Epic Sessions
2016 · Movie
as Self
The Highwaymen - Live American Outlaws
2016 · Movie
as Self
The Highwaymen: Friends Till the End
2016 · Movie
as Self - Performer
Willie Nelson: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize For Popular Song
2016 · Movie
as Self
The Best Democracy Money Can Buy
2016 · Movie
as Self
Johnny Cash: American Rebel
2015 · Movie
as Self
I Am Johnny Cash
2015 · Movie
as Self
The Muppets
2015 · TV Show
as Self
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015 · TV Show
as Self - Musical Guest, Self - Guest/Musical Guest
All About Ann: Governor Richards of the Lone Star State
2014 · Movie
as Self
Willie Nelson Live @ SXSW
2014 · Movie
as self
The Art of McCartney
2014 · Movie
as Self
Austin City Limits Celebrates 40 Years
2014 · Movie
as Self - Performer
Country Kings at the BBC
2014 · Movie
Late Night with Seth Meyers
2014 · TV Show
as Self
Angels Sing
2013 · Movie
as Nick
Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon
2013 · Movie
as Self
John Mellencamp: It's About You
2012 · Movie
as Self
We Walk The Line: A Celebration of the Music of Johnny Cash
2012 · Movie
as Self
No image
9/11 Truth: Hollywood Speaks Up
2011 · Movie
as Self
The King of Luck
2011 · Movie
as Self
No image
I Ride
2011 · Movie
as Willie Nelson
No image
Save the Farm
2011 · Movie
Country at the BBC
2011 · Movie
as Self (archive footage)
The Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story
2010 · Movie
as Self
OK Buckaroos
2010 · Movie
Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis Play the Music of Ray Charles
2009 · Movie
as Self - Vocals and Acoustic Guitar
No image
Happiness Is
2009 · Movie
as Self
Dolly Parton & Friends: Love Always Live
2009 · Movie
as Self - Performer (archive footage)
The Obama Deception
2009 · Movie
as Self
O Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar
2009 · Movie
as Self (archive footage)
Surfer, Dude
2008 · Movie
as Farmer Bob
A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!
2008 · Movie
as Self
Hempsters: Plant the Seed
2008 · Movie
as Himself
Beer for My Horses
2008 · Movie
as Charlie
Swing Vote
2008 · Movie
as Willie Nelson
The King of Texas
2008 · Movie
as Self
Merle Haggard: The Real Deal
2008 · Movie
as Self
Elvis | Viva Las Vegas
2008 · Movie
as Self
Willie Nelson / Wynton Marsalis - Live from Jazz at Lincoln Center, NYC
2008 · Movie
as Chanteur
Glen Campbell | Good Times Again
2007 · Movie
as Self
Blonde Ambition
2007 · Movie
as Pap Paw
No image
Fighting With Anger
2007 · Movie
as Will
The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning
2007 · Movie
as Uncle Jesse
Opry Video Classics: Hall of Fame
2007 · Movie
as Self (archive footage)
Jerry Lee Lewis: Last Man Standing, Live
2007 · Movie
as Self
Opry Video Classics : Legends
2007 · Movie
as Self (archive footage)
Last of the Breed: Live in Concert
2007 · Movie
as Himself
Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007
2007 · Movie
as Self
Beerfest
2006 · Movie
as Self (uncredited)
Celebrating the Man in Black: The Making of Walk the Line
2006 · Movie
as Self
Willie Nelson: Live from Austin TX
2006 · Movie
as Self - Vocals (archive footage)
Outlaw Country: Live from Austin, TX
2006 · Movie
as Self
American Revolutions: The Highwaymen
2006 · Movie
as Self
Broken Bridges
2006 · Movie
as self
It's Happiness: A Polka Documentary
2006 · Movie
as Self
The Dukes of Hazzard
2005 · Movie
as Uncle Jesse Duke
Farm Aid: 20th Anniversary Concert
2005 · Movie
as Self
No image
Tootsie's Orchid Lounge: Where the Music Began
2005 · Movie
as self
Willie Nelson & Leon Russel - Partners In Music
2005 · Movie
VH1 Storytellers
2005 · TV Show
as Self
The Colbert Report
2005 · TV Show
as Self (uncredited)
Be Here to Love Me
2004 · Movie
as Self - Musician
No image
Willie Nelson - Live at Billy Bob's Texas
2004 · Movie
as Self
The Big Bounce
2004 · Movie
as Joe Lurie
Willie Nelson & Friends: Outlaws & Angels
2004 · Movie
as Self
No image
Ray Charles: Genius Loves Company
2004 · Movie
as Self
No image
CMA Music Festival
2004 · TV Show
as Self
The Highwaymen: On the Road Again
2003 · Movie
as Self
Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin'
2003 · Movie
as Self
Emmylou Harris: From a Deeper Well
2003 · Movie
as Self
Ringo Rama
2003 · Movie
as Himself
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
2003 · TV Show
as Self - Musical Guest, Self - Guest
Real Time with Bill Maher
2003 · TV Show
as Self
The Country Bears
2002 · Movie
as Self
No image
This Land Is Your Land - Folk Years
2002 · Movie
No image
Farm Aid 2001 - A Concert For America
2002 · Movie
as Himself
The Willie Nelson Special - With Special Guest Ray Charles
2002 · Movie
as Self
The Country Bears Concert for America
2002 · Movie
as Self
Monk
2002 · TV Show
as Willie Nelson
CMT Crossroads
2002 · TV Show
as Self
Willie Nelson: Live in Amsterdam
2001 · Movie
as Himself
Kinky Friedman: Proud To Be An Asshole From El Paso
2001 · Movie
as Self
The Journeyman
2001 · Movie
as Samuel Hancock
America | A Tribute to Heroes
2001 · Movie
as Self - Performer
Last Party 2000
2001 · Movie
as Self
Austin City Limits: Country
2001 · TV Show
as Self
Chet Atkins: A Life in Music
2000 · Movie
as Self
Outlaw Justice
1999 · Movie
as Lee Walker
A Tribute to Johnny Cash
1999 · Movie
as Self - Performer
No image
The Story of Darrell Royal
1999 · Movie
as Self
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
1999 · Movie
as Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson: Greatest Hits Live
1999 · Movie
as Himself
Dill Scallion
1999 · Movie
as Self
Willie Nelson at the Teatro
1998 · Movie
as Self
Half Baked
1998 · Movie
as Historian Smoker
Wag the Dog
1997 · Movie
as Johnny Dean
Gone Fishin'
1997 · Movie
as Billy 'Catch' Pooler
Anthem
1997 · Movie
as Self
No image
Willie Nelson: Down Home
1997 · Movie
as Self
The View
1997 · TV Show
as Self - Guest
King of the Hill
1997 · TV Show
as Willie Nelson (voice)
The Beach Boys: Nashville Sounds
1996 · Movie
as Self
Starlight
1996 · Movie
The Daily Show
1996 · TV Show
as Self
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
1996 · TV Show
as Self
Big Dreams & Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story
1995 · Movie
as Willie Nelson
Some Enchanted Evening: Celebrating Oscar Hammerstein II
1995 · Movie
as Self
The World of Jim Henson
1994 · Movie
as Self (archive footage)
Dust to Dust
1994 · Movie
Space Ghost Coast to Coast
1994 · TV Show
as Self
Kris Kristofferson: His Life and Work
1993 · Movie
as Self
Bob Dylan: The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration
1993 · Movie
as Self
Willie Nelson: The Big Six-O
1993 · Movie
as Self
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
1993 · TV Show
as Marshall Elias Burch
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992 · TV Show
Delta
1992 · TV Show
Adventures in Wonderland
1992 · TV Show
as The Troubadour
Another Pair of Aces: Three of a Kind
1991 · Movie
as Billy Roy Rodriguez
Wild Texas Wind
1991 · Movie
as Willie Nelson
WWE WrestleMania VII
1991 · Movie
as Self - National Anthem
No image
Hot Country Nights
1991 · TV Show
The Highwaymen: Live at Nassau Coliseum
1990 · Movie
as Self
Waylon: Renegade. Outlaw. Legend.
1990 · Movie
as Self
Pair of Aces
1990 · Movie
as Billy Roy Barker
Kenny, Dolly & Willie: Something Inside So Strong
1989 · Movie
as Self
In the Hank Williams Tradition
1989 · Movie
as Self
Some Enchanted Evening With Willie Nelson
1989 · Movie
as Self
The Simpsons
1989 · TV Show
as Willie Nelson (voice)
Once Upon a Texas Train
1988 · Movie
as John Henry Lee
Where the Hell's That Gold?!!?
1988 · Movie
as Cross
Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration
1988 · Movie
as Self
Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz
1988 · Movie
as Willie Nelson
Walking After Midnight
1988 · Movie
as Self
Baja Oklahoma
1988 · Movie
as Self
Willie Nelson, Texas Style
1988 · Movie
as Self
Heartbeat
1987 · Movie
as Himself
Chet Atkins and Friends
1987 · Movie
Stagecoach
1986 · Movie
as Doc Holliday
Red Headed Stranger
1986 · Movie
as Rev. Julian Shay
The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James
1986 · Movie
as Gen. Jo Shelby
We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song
1985 · Movie
as Self
NWA World Championship Wrestling
1985 · TV Show
as Self
Songwriter
1984 · Movie
as Doc Jenkins
The Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team
1984 · Movie
as Self - Performer
Miami Vice
1984 · TV Show
as Texas Ranger Jake Pierson
Hells Angels Forever
1983 · Movie
as Self
Willie Nelson Live at the US Festival
1983 · Movie
as Himself
Playboy Video Magazine, Volume 4
1983 · Movie
as Himself
No image
Willie Nelson & Family: In Concert
1983 · Movie
as Himself
Barbarosa
1982 · Movie
as Barbarosa
Coming Out of the Ice
1982 · Movie
as Red Loon
Champs-Elysées
1982 · TV Show
as Self (archive footage)
Thief
1981 · Movie
as David 'Okla' Bertinneau
Honeysuckle Rose
1980 · Movie
as Buck
The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1980
1980 · Movie
Solid Gold
1980 · TV Show
as Self
The Electric Horseman
1979 · Movie
as Wendell
No image
Willie Nelson's 4th of July Celebration
1979 · Movie
Mickey's 50
1978 · Movie
as Self
The Kennedy Center Honors
1978 · TV Show
as Self
Austin City Limits
1975 · TV Show
as Self
Saturday Night Live
1975 · TV Show
as Self - Host & Musical Guest, Self - Musical Guest
A Poem Is a Naked Person
1974 · Movie
as Self
The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
1969 · TV Show
as Self
CMA Awards
1967 · TV Show
as Self
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962 · TV Show
as Self, Self (archive footage)
No image
Willie Nelson - Austin City Limits '74
· Movie
as Himself
Willie Nelson & Friends: Stars & Guitars
· Movie
as Himself
Crew Credits
Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies
2025 · Movie
Executive Producer
No image
Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds - Farm Aid Live
2014 · Movie
Production Artist
Squidbillies
2005 · TV Show
Theme Song Performance
The Highwaymen: Live at Nassau Coliseum
1990 · Movie
Author
Willie Nelson, Texas Style
1988 · Movie
Writer
Red Headed Stranger
1986 · Movie
Producer, Music, Original Music Composer
Stagecoach
1986 · Movie
Original Music Composer, Executive Producer
Songwriter
1984 · Movie
Songs
Streetwise
1984 · Movie
Executive Producer
Honeysuckle Rose
1980 · Movie
Original Music Composer
The Electric Horseman
1979 · Movie
Songs
