WN

Willie Nelson
Actor, Producer, Composer, Additional CreditsBorn April 30, 1933 (92 years)
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
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
Movies & Shows on Plex
Known For
Featured Videos
Filmography
2024 | Leonard Cohen: If It Be Your Will · as Self |
2024 | Willie Nelson: The Outlaw Country King · as Self |
2024 | |
2024 | The Greatest Night in Pop · as Self (archive Footage) |
2023 | June · as Self |
2023 | |
2023 | Joke Man · as Self |
2023 | Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90 · as Self |
2023 | Willie Nelson & Family (TV Series) · as Self |
2022 | Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas · as Self |
2022 | Willie Nelson: Live at Budokan · as Himself |
2022 | The 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony · as Self (archive Footage) |
2022 | Sheryl · as Self |
2021 | Dolly Parton: A MusiCares Tribute · as Self |
2021 | This Is Pop (TV Series) · as Self (archive Footage) |
2020 | Belushi · as Self |
2020 | Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President · as Self |
2020 | My Darling Vivian · as Self (archive Footage) |
2020 | |
2020 | Willie Nelson American Outlaw · as Self |
2019 | Jim Allison: Breakthrough · as Self |
2019 | Country Music (TV Series) · as Self |
2019 | Running with Beto · as Self |
2019 | Charley Pride: I'm Just Me · as Self |
2018 | Quincy · as Self |
2018 | Bathtubs Over Broadway · as Self |
2018 | It All Begins with a Song · as Self |
2017 | The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson · as Self |
2017 | Pure Country Pure Heart · as Himself |
2017 | |
2017 | Lost in London · as Willie Nelson |
2016 | OBJECTified (TV Series) · as Self |
2016 | Soundbreaking (TV Series) · as Self |
2016 | The Best Democracy Money Can Buy · as Self |
2016 | The Highwaymen - Live American Outlaws · as Self |
2016 | Sunday Today with Willie Geist (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
2016 | |
2016 | |
2016 | Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl · as Self |
2016 | Zoolander 2 · as Willie Nelson |
2016 | Rock & Roll Road Trip With Sammy Hagar (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
2016 | Chelsea Does... (TV Series) · as Self |
2015 | American Epic (TV Series) · as Self |
2015 | Johnny Cash: American Rebel · as Self |
2015 | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (TV Series) · as Self |
2015 | The Muppets (TV Series) · as Self |
2015 | |
2014 | Saving My Tomorrow (TV Series) · as Self |
2014 | Austin City Limits Celebrates 40 Years · as Self - Performer |
2014 | The Art of McCartney · as Self |
2014 | |
2014 | Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me · as Self - Musician |
2014 | 2014 MTV Movie Awards · as Self - Cameo #22 |
2014 | Willie Nelson Live @ SXSW · as Self |
2014 | Late Night with Seth Meyers (TV Series) · as Self |
2014 | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (TV Series) · as Self |
2014 | The 56th Annual Grammy Awards · as Self - Performer |
2013 | The Big Interview (TV Series) · as Self |
2013 | Supermensch · as Self |
2012 | |
2012 | Larry King Now (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
2012 | Tony Bennett: Duets II · as Self |
2012 | CBS Mornings (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
2012 | CBS Mornings (TV Series) · as Self |
2011 | Paul Williams: Still Alive · as Self (archive Footage) |
2011 | 9/11 Truth: Hollywood Speaks Out · as Self |
2011 | Save the Farm · as Self - Musician |
2011 | Big Morning Buzz Live (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
2011 | Toots and the Maytals Reggae Got Soul · as Self |
2011 | CMT: 40 Greatest Love Songs · as Self |
2011 | Piers Morgan Tonight (TV Series) · as Self |
2010 | It's About You · as Self |
2010 | |
2010 | |
2010 | Hempsters: Plant the Seed · as Himself |
2010 | Wild Horses and Renegades · as Self |
2009 | WWE: The Rise and Fall of WCW · as Self |
2009 | Happiness Is · as Self |
2009 | One Peace at a Time · as Self |
2009 | The Obama Deception · as Self |
2009 | Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (TV Series) · as Self - Musical Guest |
2009 | O Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar · as Self (archive Footage) |
2008 | |
2008 | Fuel · as Self - Musician |
2008 | Wisdom · as Self |
2008 | Swing Vote · as Willie Nelson |
2008 | Bob Dylan: Under Review 1978-1989 · as Self |
2008 | The King of Texas · as Self |
2008 | |
2007 | |
2007 | Opry Video Classics: The Hall of Fame · as Self (archive Footage) |
2007 | Opry Video Classics: Legends · as Self |
2007 | Elvis: Viva Las Vegas · as Self |
2007 | Here Is What Is · as Self |
2007 | Revolution Green · as Self |
2007 | The 5th Annual TV Land Awards · as Self - Performer |
2007 | Kenny Rogers: The Journey · as Self |
2007 | The Unforeseen · as Self |
2006 | Broken Bridges · as Self |
2006 | Beerfest · as Self (uncredited) |
2006 | Too Hot Not to Handle · as Self |
2005 | |
2005 | The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts · as Self - Performer |
2005 | The Colbert Report (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
2005 | CMT: Class of 1975 · as Self |
2005 | All We Are Saying · as Self |
2005 | Grand Ole Opry's Vintage Classics · as Self |
2005 | The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (TV Series) · as Self |
2004 | Be Here to Love Me · as Self - Musician |
2004 | Ray Charles: Genius Loves Company · as Self |
2004 | CMT Insider (TV Series) · as Self |
2004 | CMT: 100 Greatest Music Videos · as Self |
2004 | Willie Nelson: Live at Billy Bob's Texas · as Self |
2003 | Get Up, Stand Up (TV Series) · as Self - Interviewee |
2003 | Michael Jackson: Number Ones · as Self (segment "man In The Mirror") |
2003 | CMT: 40 Greatest Fashion Statements · as Self |
2003 | 2003 Radio Music Awards · as Self |
2003 | The Ellen DeGeneres Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
2003 | Soundstage (TV Series) · as Self |
2003 | Real Time with Bill Maher (TV Series) · as Self |
2003 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! (TV Series) · as Self - Musical Guest |
2003 | The 30th Annual American Music Awards · as Self |
2002 | Nobel Peace Prize Concert · as Self |
2002 | Reel Comedy (TV Series) · as Self |
2002 | The Country Bears · as Willie Nelson |
2002 | Monk (TV Series) · as Willie Nelson |
2002 | |
2002 | NOW (TV Series) · as Self |
2002 | CMT Crossroads (TV Series) · as Self |
2001 | Last Party 2000 · as Self |
2001 | America: A Tribute to Heroes · as Self - Performer |
2001 | Democracy Now! (TV Series) · as Self |
2001 | Korean War Stories · as Self |
2001 | Walk on By: The Story of Popular Song (TV Series) · as Self |
2000 | BBC Breakfast (TV Series) · as Self - Country Singer |
2000 | Diary (TV Series) · as Self |
1999 | Dill Scallion · as Self |
1999 | In Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story · as Self |
1999 | Woodstock '99 · as Self |
1999 | Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me · as Willie Nelson |
1999 | An All-Star Tribute to Johnny Cash · as Self - Performer |
1999 | The Awful Truth (TV Series) · as Self |
1999 | The Story of Darrell Royal · as Self |
1998 | The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts · as Self - Honoree |
1998 | Christopher Reeve: A Celebration of Hope · as Self |
1998 | Willie Nelson at the Teatro · as Self |
1997 | Behind the Music (TV Series) · as Self |
1997 | The View (TV Series) · as Self |
1997 | Anthem · as Self |
1996 | Access Hollywood (TV Series) · as Self |
1996 | The Daily Show (TV Series) · as Self |
1996 | The Rosie O'Donnell Show (TV Series) · as Self |
1996 | E! True Hollywood Story (TV Series) · as Self |
1996 | VH1 Storytellers (TV Series) · as Self |
1995 | |
1995 | Big Dreams & Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story · as Willie Nelson |
1995 | Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld (TV Series) · as Self |
1994 | The World of Jim Henson · as Self (archive Footage) |
1994 | The Howard Stern Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
1993 | Modern Marvels (TV Series) · as Self |
1993 | Late Night with Conan O'Brien (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
1993 | Late Show with David Letterman (TV Series) · as Self |
1992 | Later... with Jools Holland (TV Series) · as Self |
1992 | The 34th Annual Grammy Awards · as Self - Presenter |
1991 | Ray Charles: 50 Years in Music · as Self |
1991 | Charlie Rose (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
1991 | Wild Texas Wind · as Willie Nelson |
1991 | WrestleMania VII · as Self - National Anthem |
1991 | Willie Nelson: My Life · as Self |
1991 | Texas, Our Texas Inaugural Gala · as Self |
1990 | Highwaymen Live!!! · as Self |
1990 | An All Star Salute to Country Music · as Self |
1989 | The 16th Annual American Music Awards · as Self |
1989 | The Arsenio Hall Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
1988 | Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz · as Willie Nelson |
1988 | Baja Oklahoma · as Self |
1988 | America's Most Wanted (TV Series) · as Self |
1987 | Dolly (TV Series) · as Self |
1987 | Farm Aid '87 · as Self |
1987 | Heartbeat · as Himself |
1987 | Biography (TV Series) · as Self |
1987 | Geraldo (TV Series) · as Self |
1986 | Liberty Weekend · as Self |
1985 | American Masters (TV Series) · as Self |
1985 | Larry King Live (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
1985 | World Championship Wrestling (TV Series) · as Self |
1985 | The 57th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Performer |
1985 | We Are the World · as Self |
1984 | TV Bloopers And Practical Jokes (TV Series) · as Self |
1983 | Hells Angels Forever · as Himself |
1982 | Wogan (TV Series) · as Self |
1982 | Late Night With David Letterman (TV Series) · as Self |
1982 | Champs-Elysees (TV Series) · as Self (archive Footage) |
1981 | Entertainment Tonight (TV Series) · as Self |
1981 | The 53rd Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Performer |
1980 | Solid Gold (TV Series) · as Self |
1979 | Atoka · as Self |
1979 | Bob & Ray, Jane, Laraine & Gilda · as Self |
1979 | CBS Sunday Morning With Jane Pauley (TV Series) · as Self |
1978 | The Kennedy Center Honors (TV Series) · as Self |
1978 | The South Bank Show (TV Series) · as Self |
1975 | Saturday Night Live (TV Series) · as Self - Host & Musical Guest |
1975 | Arena (1975) (TV Series) · as Self |
1975 | Austin City Limits (TV Series) · as Self |
1975 | Good Morning America (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
1974 | A Poem Is a Naked Person · as Self |
1972 | The Midnight Special (TV Series) · as Self |
1971 | Great Performances (TV Series) · as Self |
1969 | Hee Haw (TV Series) · as Self |
1969 | The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour (TV Series) · as Self |
1968 | 60 Minutes (TV Series) · as Self - Musician (segment "ray Charles") |
1967 | The Phil Donahue Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
1967 | CMA Awards (TV Series) · as Self |
1966 | The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon (TV Series) · as Self |
1964 | Top of the Pops (TV Series) · as Self |
1962 | The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson (TV Series) · as Self |
1961 | The Mike Douglas Show (TV Series) · as Self - Vocalist |
1954 | Disneyland (TV Series) · as Self |
1954 | The Early Show (TV Series) · as Self |
1952 | Today (TV Series) · as Self |