Highest rated as cast or director
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
Acted in 55
2020s
- 2024
Willie and Me
Willie Nelson / Bones
2010s
- 2019
Waiting for the Miracle to Come
Jimmy Riggs
- 2018
Also Starring Austin
Movie
- 2017
Revolution: The Legacy of the Sixties
Movie
- 2016
- 2014
Country Kings at the BBC
Movie
- 2013
- 2010
OK Buckaroos
Movie
2000s
- 2008
Willie Nelson / Wynton Marsalis - Live from Jazz at Lincoln Center, NYC
Chanteur
- 2007
Fighting With Anger
Will
- 2005
Willie Nelson & Leon Russel - Partners In Music
Movie
- 2004
The Big Bounce
Joe Lurie
- 2002
- 2001
1990s
- 1999
- 1998
- 1997
Gone Fishin'
Billy 'Catch' Pooler
- 1996
Starlight
Movie
- 1995
Big Dreams & Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story
Willie Nelson
- 1994
Dust to Dust
Movie
- 1993
- 1992
Delta
TV
- 1991
Wild Texas Wind
Willie Nelson
Another Pair of Aces: Three of a Kind
Billy Roy Rodriguez
- 1990
Pair of Aces
Billy Roy Barker
1980s
- 1989
- 1988
Where the Hell's That Gold?!!?
Cross
Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz
Willie Nelson
- 1987
Chet Atkins and Friends
Movie
- 1986
The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James
Gen. Jo Shelby
- 1984
Songwriter
Doc Jenkins
- 1982
- 1981
- 1980
Honeysuckle Rose
Buck
The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1980
Movie
Sound 6
2000s
- 2005
1980s
- 1986
- 1984
Songwriter
Songs
- 1980
Honeysuckle Rose
Original Music Composer, Songs
1970s
- 1979
Produced 4
2020s
- 2025
Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies
Executive Producer
1980s
- 1986
- 1984
Streetwise
Executive Producer
Wrote 2
1990s
- 1990
The Highwaymen: Live at Nassau Coliseum
Author
1980s
- 1988
Willie Nelson, Texas Style
Writer
Appearances133
2020s
- 2026
- 2025
Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies
Self
- 2024
- 2023
Willie Nelson's 90th Birthday Celebration
Self
Joke Man
Self
Willie Nelson 90: Long Story Short
Self
Heartbreakers at the BBC
Self (archive footage)
- 2022
Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas
Self
2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Self (archive footage)
Willie Nelson: Live at Budokan
Self (archive footage)
- 2021
- 2020
Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President
Self
Willie Nelson American Outlaw
Self
2010s
- 2019
Charley Pride: I'm Just Me
Self
Willie Nelson at Austin City Limits
Self
- 2018
- 2017
OBJECTified
Self · 1 episode
Pure Country: Pure Heart
Himself
American Epic
Self · 1 episode
- 2016
The Best Democracy Money Can Buy
Self
Road to Austin
Self
The Highwaymen: Friends Till the End
Self - Performer
The Highwaymen - Live American Outlaws
Self
The American Epic Sessions
Self
Honky Tonk Heaven: Legend of the Broken Spoke
Self
Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl
Self
Willie Nelson: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize For Popular Song
Self
- 2015
Johnny Cash: American Rebel
Self
I Am Johnny Cash
Self
- 2014
Austin City Limits Celebrates 40 Years
Self - Performer
The Art of McCartney
Self
All About Ann: Governor Richards of the Lone Star State
Self
Willie Nelson Live @ SXSW
self
- 2013
Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon
Self
- 2012
We Walk The Line: A Celebration of the Music of Johnny Cash
Self
John Mellencamp: It's About You
Self
- 2011
The King of Luck
Self
- 2010
The Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story
Self
2000s
- 2009
Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis Play the Music of Ray Charles
Self - Vocals and Acoustic Guitar
The Obama Deception
Self
Dolly Parton & Friends: Love Always Live
Self - Performer (archive footage)
O Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar
Self (archive footage)
- 2008
Merle Haggard: The Real Deal
Self
A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!
Self
Elvis | Viva Las Vegas
Self
Hempsters: Plant the Seed
Himself
The King of Texas
Self
- 2007
Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007
Self
Opry Video Classics: Hall of Fame
Self (archive footage)
Opry Video Classics : Legends
Self (archive footage)
Last of the Breed: Live in Concert
Himself
Jerry Lee Lewis: Last Man Standing, Live
Self
Glen Campbell | Good Times Again
Self
- 2006
American Revolutions: The Highwaymen
Self
Outlaw Country: Live from Austin, TX
Self
It's Happiness: A Polka Documentary
Self
Broken Bridges
self
Celebrating the Man in Black: The Making of Walk the Line
Self
Willie Nelson: Live from Austin TX
Self - Vocals (archive footage)
- 2005
Farm Aid: 20th Anniversary Concert
Self
- 2004
Willie Nelson & Friends: Outlaws & Angels
Self
Be Here to Love Me
Self - Musician
- 2003
Emmylou Harris: From a Deeper Well
Self
Ringo Rama
Himself
The Highwaymen: On the Road Again
Self
Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin'
Self
- 2002
The Willie Nelson Special - With Special Guest Ray Charles
Self
The Country Bears Concert for America
Self
- 2001
Last Party 2000
Self
America: A Tribute to Heroes
Self - Performer
Willie Nelson: Live in Amsterdam
Himself
Kinky Friedman: Proud To Be An Asshole From El Paso
Self
Austin City Limits: Country
Self · 5 episodes
- 2000
Chet Atkins: A Life in Music
Self
1990s
- 1999
Dill Scallion
Self
Willie Nelson: Greatest Hits Live
Himself
A Tribute to Johnny Cash
Self - Performer
- 1998
Willie Nelson at the Teatro
Self
- 1997
Anthem
Self
- 1996
The Beach Boys: Nashville Sounds
Self
- 1995
Some Enchanted Evening: Celebrating Oscar Hammerstein II
Self
- 1994
The World of Jim Henson
Self (archive footage)
- 1993
Kris Kristofferson: His Life and Work
Self
Willie Nelson: The Big Six-O
Self
Bob Dylan: The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration
Self
- 1992
- 1991
WWE WrestleMania VII
Self - National Anthem
- 1990
The Highwaymen: Live at Nassau Coliseum
Self
Waylon: Renegade. Outlaw. Legend.
Self
1980s
- 1989
Kenny, Dolly & Willie: Something Inside So Strong
Self
Some Enchanted Evening With Willie Nelson
Self
In the Hank Williams Tradition
Self
- 1988
Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration
Self
Willie Nelson, Texas Style
Self
Baja Oklahoma
Self
Walking After Midnight
Self
- 1987
Heartbeat
Himself
- 1985
- 1984
The Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team
Self - Performer
- 1983
Hells Angels Forever
Self
Playboy Video Magazine, Volume 4
Himself
Willie Nelson Live at the US Festival
Himself
- 1982
- 1980
1970s
- 1978
Mickey's 50
Self
- 1975
- 1974
A Poem Is a Naked Person
Self
1960s
- 1969
- 1967
- 1962
No release date
Willie Nelson & Friends: Stars & Guitars
Himself