
Willie Nelson
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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
Credits

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
as Willie Nelson

Zoolander 2 (2016)
as Willie Nelson

The Dukes of Hazzard (2005)
as Uncle Jesse Duke

Thief (1981)
as David 'Okla' Bertinneau

Wag the Dog (1997)
as Johnny Dean

Half Baked (1998)
as Historian Smoker

The Greatest Night in Pop (2024)
as Self (archive footage)

Beerfest (2006)
as Self (uncredited)

The Electric Horseman (1979)
as Wendell

Gone Fishin' (1997)
as Billy 'Catch' Pooler

Surfer, Dude (2008)
as Farmer Bob

Lost in London (2017)
as Willie Nelson

The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning (2007)
as Uncle Jesse

Outlaw Justice (1999)
as Lee Walker

Swing Vote (2008)
as Willie Nelson

The Big Bounce (2004)
as Joe Lurie

The Country Bears (2002)
as Self

The Beach Boys: Nashville Sounds (1996)
as Self

2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (2022)
as Self (archive footage)

Angels Sing (2013)
as Nick

Blonde Ambition (2007)
as Pap Paw

OK Buckaroos (2010)
Actor

Barbarosa (1982)
as Barbarosa

The Man with the Big Hat (2026)
as Self (archive footage)

America | A Tribute to Heroes (2001)
as Self - Performer

My Darling Vivian (2020)
as Self (archive footage)

We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song (1985)
as Self

Stagecoach (1986)
as Doc Holliday
I Ride (2011)
as Willie Nelson

Quincy (2018)
as Self

Joke Man (2023)
as Self

Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon (2013)
as Self

The World of Jim Henson (1994)
as Self (archive footage)

All About Ann: Governor Richards of the Lone Star State (2014)
as Self

Pure Country: Pure Heart (2017)
as Himself

Red Headed Stranger (1986)
as Rev. Julian Shay

Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas (2022)
as Self

O Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar (2009)
as Self (archive footage)

Honeysuckle Rose (1980)
as Buck

Willie and Me (2024)
as Willie Nelson / Bones

Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz (1988)
as Willie Nelson
Tootsie's Orchid Lounge: Where the Music Began (2005)
as self

Celebrating the Man in Black: The Making of Walk the Line (2006)
as Self

Pair of Aces (1990)
as Billy Roy Barker

Big Dreams & Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story (1995)
as Willie Nelson

Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President (2020)
as Self

Once Upon a Texas Train (1988)
as John Henry Lee

The Journeyman (2001)
as Samuel Hancock

Dill Scallion (1999)
as Self

Last Party 2000 (2001)
as Self

WWE WrestleMania VII (1991)
as Self - National Anthem

The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James (1986)
as Gen. Jo Shelby

Wild Texas Wind (1991)
as Willie Nelson

Dolly Parton: A MusiCares Tribute (2021)
as Self

Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies (2025)
as Self

Country at the BBC (2011)
as Self (archive footage)

Another Pair of Aces: Three of a Kind (1991)
as Billy Roy Rodriguez

Jerry Lee Lewis: Last Man Standing, Live (2007)
as Self

Elvis | Viva Las Vegas (2008)
as Self

Willie Nelson & Friends: Stars & Guitars (—)
as Himself

Mickey's 50 (1978)
as Self

Outlaw Country: Live from Austin, TX (2006)
as Self

A Tribute to Johnny Cash (1999)
as Self - Performer

Where the Hell's That Gold?!!? (1988)
as Cross

Baja Oklahoma (1988)
as Self

Beer for My Horses (2008)
as Charlie

The Highwaymen: Live at Nassau Coliseum (1990)
as Self

The Highwaymen - Live American Outlaws (2016)
as Self

Starlight (1996)
Actor

The King of Luck (2011)
as Self

Broken Bridges (2006)
as self

Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis Play the Music of Ray Charles (2009)
as Self - Vocals and Acoustic Guitar
Ray Charles: Genius Loves Company (2004)
as Self

Willie Nelson: The Big Six-O (1993)
as Self

Songwriter (1984)
as Doc Jenkins

Waiting for the Miracle to Come (2019)
as Jimmy Riggs

Willie Nelson 90: Long Story Short (2023)
as Self

Austin City Limits Celebrates 40 Years (2014)
as Self - Performer

Coming Out of the Ice (1982)
as Red Loon

Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007 (2007)
as Self

Heartbeat (1987)
as Himself

Kris Kristofferson: His Life and Work (1993)
as Self

Bob Dylan: The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration (1993)
as Self
Happiness Is (2009)
as Self

Also Starring Austin (2018)
Actor
9/11 Truth: Hollywood Speaks Up (2011)
as Self

Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl (2016)
as Self

American Revolutions: The Highwaymen (2006)
as Self

Revolution: The Legacy of the Sixties (2017)
Actor

The Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team (1984)
as Self - Performer

Dolly Parton & Friends: Love Always Live (2009)
as Self - Performer (archive footage)

Ringo Rama (2003)
as Himself
Save the Farm (2011)
Actor

A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All! (2008)
as Self

Hempsters: Plant the Seed (2008)
as Himself

Johnny Cash: American Rebel (2015)
as Self

Opry Video Classics : Legends (2007)
as Self (archive footage)

Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration (1988)
as Self
Fighting With Anger (2007)
as Will

Dust to Dust (1994)
Actor

The Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story (2010)
as Self

Playboy Video Magazine, Volume 4 (1983)
as Himself

Walking After Midnight (1988)
as Self

Some Enchanted Evening: Celebrating Oscar Hammerstein II (1995)
as Self

June (2023)
as Self

Charley Pride: I'm Just Me (2019)
as Self

The Highwaymen: On the Road Again (2003)
as Self

We Walk The Line: A Celebration of the Music of Johnny Cash (2012)
as Self

In the Hank Williams Tradition (1989)
as Self

Country Kings at the BBC (2014)
Actor

I Am Johnny Cash (2015)
as Self

Emmylou Harris: From a Deeper Well (2003)
as Self

The Obama Deception (2009)
as Self

Hells Angels Forever (1983)
as Self

Willie Nelson & Friends: Outlaws & Angels (2004)
as Self

Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin' (2003)
as Self

The King of Texas (2008)
as Self

The Country Bears Concert for America (2002)
as Self

Willie Nelson & Leon Russel - Partners In Music (2005)
Actor

Willie Nelson / Wynton Marsalis - Live from Jazz at Lincoln Center, NYC (2008)
as Chanteur
Willie Nelson: Down Home (1997)
as Self

Opry Video Classics: Hall of Fame (2007)
as Self (archive footage)
The Story of Darrell Royal (1999)
as Self

A Poem Is a Naked Person (1974)
as Self

Willie Nelson at the Teatro (1998)
as Self

Be Here to Love Me (2004)
as Self - Musician

Willie Nelson: Live from Austin TX (2006)
as Self - Vocals (archive footage)

The Best Democracy Money Can Buy (2016)
as Self

John Mellencamp: It's About You (2012)
as Self

Road to Austin (2016)
as Self

The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1980 (1980)
Actor

Kenny, Dolly & Willie: Something Inside So Strong (1989)
as Self

Honky Tonk Heaven: Legend of the Broken Spoke (2016)
as Self
This Land Is Your Land - Folk Years (2002)
Actor

The American Epic Sessions (2016)
as Self

Anthem (1997)
as Self

Willie Nelson: Live at Budokan (2022)
as Self (archive footage)

The Highwaymen: Friends Till the End (2016)
as Self - Performer

Paradox (2018)
as Red
Farm Aid 2001 - A Concert For America (2002)
as Himself

Merle Haggard: The Real Deal (2008)
as Self

Glen Campbell | Good Times Again (2007)
as Self
Willie Nelson - Live at Billy Bob's Texas (2004)
as Self

Waylon: Renegade. Outlaw. Legend. (1990)
as Self

The Willie Nelson Special - With Special Guest Ray Charles (2002)
as Self
Willie Nelson - Austin City Limits '74 (—)
as Himself

Willie Nelson American Outlaw (2020)
as Self

Chet Atkins: A Life in Music (2000)
as Self

Willie Nelson's 90th Birthday Celebration (2023)
as Self

Last of the Breed: Live in Concert (2007)
as Himself

Farm Aid: 20th Anniversary Concert (2005)
as Self

Heartbreakers at the BBC (2023)
as Self (archive footage)

Willie Nelson at Austin City Limits (2019)
as Self

Some Enchanted Evening With Willie Nelson (1989)
as Self
Willie Nelson's 4th of July Celebration (1979)
Actor

Chet Atkins and Friends (1987)
Actor

Willie Nelson Live at the US Festival (1983)
as Himself

Kinky Friedman: Proud To Be An Asshole From El Paso (2001)
as Self

Willie Nelson: Live in Amsterdam (2001)
as Himself
Willie Nelson & Family: In Concert (1983)
as Himself

Willie Nelson, Texas Style (1988)
as Self

The Art of McCartney (2014)
as Self

It's Happiness: A Polka Documentary (2006)
as Self

Willie Nelson Live @ SXSW (2014)
as self

Willie Nelson: Greatest Hits Live (1999)
as Himself

Willie Nelson: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize For Popular Song (2016)
as Self





