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.
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Known For
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: 10th Anniversary Special
Self (archive footage)
2024
Willie and Me
Willie Nelson / Bones
2024
The Greatest Night in Pop
Self (archive footage)
2024
Willie Nelson & Family
Self · (4 episodes)
2023
June
Self
2023
Joke Man
Self
2023
Willie Nelson 90: Long Story Short
Self
2023
Heartbreakers at the BBC
Self (archive footage)
2023
Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas
Self
2022
2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Self (archive footage)
2022
Willie Nelson: Live at Budokan
himself
2022
Dolly Parton: A MusiCares Tribute
Self
2021
OBJECTified
Self · (1 episode)
2017
Revolution: The Legacy of the Sixties
2017
American Epic
Self · (1 episode)
2017
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Self · (3 episodes)
2015
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self · (1 episode)
2014
O Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar
Self (archive footage)
2009
Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007
Self
2007
VH1 Storytellers
Self · (1 episode)
2005
Real Time with Bill Maher
Self · (3 episodes)
2003
Last Party 2000
Self
2001
Dill Scallion
Self
1999
The View
Self · (3 episodes)
1997
The Daily Show
Self · (2 episodes)
1996
Space Ghost Coast to Coast
(2 episodes)
1994
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
Marshall Elias Burch · (2 episodes)
1993
Chet Atkins and Friends
1987
Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies
Self
This Is Pop
Self (archive footage) · (1 episode)
2021
Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President
Self
2020
My Darling Vivian
Self (archive footage)
2020
Willie Nelson American Outlaw
Self
2020
Waiting for the Miracle to Come
Jimmy Riggs
2019
Charley Pride: I'm Just Me
Self
2019
Willie Nelson at Austin City Limits
Self
2019
Quincy
Self
2018
Also Starring Austin
2018
Paradox
Red
2018
Pure Country: Pure Heart
Himself
2017
Lost in London
Willie Nelson
2017
The Best Democracy Money Can Buy
Self
2016
Road to Austin
2016
The Highwaymen: Friends Till the End
Self - Performer
2016
The Highwaymen - Live American Outlaws
Self
2016
The American Epic Sessions
Self
2016
Honky Tonk Heaven: Legend of the Broken Spoke
Self
2016
Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl
Self
2016
Zoolander 2
Willie Nelson
2016
Willie Nelson: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize For Popular Song
Self
2016
The Muppets
Self · (1 episode)
2015
Johnny Cash: American Rebel
Self
2015
I Am Johnny Cash
Self
2015
Country Kings at the BBC
2014
Austin City Limits Celebrates 40 Years
Self - Performer
2014
The Art of McCartney
Self
2014
All About Ann: Governor Richards of the Lone Star State
Self
2014
Willie Nelson Live @ SXSW
self
2014
Angels Sing
Nick
2013
Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon
Self
2013
We Walk The Line: A Celebration of the Music of Johnny Cash
Self
2012
John Mellencamp: It's About You
Self
2012
Paul Williams Still Alive
Self (archive footage)
2011
9/11 Truth: Hollywood Speaks Up
Self
2011
I Ride
Willie Nelson
2011
The King of Luck
Himself
2011
OK Buckaroos
2010
The Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story
Self
2010
Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis Play the Music of Ray Charles
Himself - Vocals and Acoustic Guitar
2009
Happiness Is
Self
2009
The Obama Deception
Self
2009
Dolly Parton & Friends: Love Always Live
Self - Performer (archive footage)
2009
Merle Haggard: The Real Deal
Self
2008
A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!
Self
2008
Elvis | Viva Las Vegas
Self
2008
Surfer, Dude
Farmer Bob
2008
Beer for My Horses
Charlie
2008
Swing Vote
Willie Nelson
2008
Hempsters: Plant the Seed
Himself
2008
The King of Texas
Self
2008
Blonde Ambition
Pap Paw
2007
Opry Video Classics: Hall of Fame
Self (archive footage)
2007
Opry Video Classics : Legends
Self (archive footage)
2007
Last of the Breed: Live in Concert
Himself
2007
Jerry Lee Lewis: Last Man Standing, Live
Self
2007
The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning
Jesse Duke
2007
Glen Campbell | Good Times Again
Self
2007
Fighting With Anger
Will
2007
American Revolutions: The Highwaymen
Himself
2006
Outlaw Country: Live from Austin, TX
Compositeur, Guitare, Artiste principal, Voix
2006
Broken Bridges
self
2006
Beerfest
Self (uncredited)
2006
Celebrating the Man in Black: The Making of Walk the Line
Self
2006
Willie Nelson: Live from Austin TX
Compositeur, Guitare, Artiste principal, Voix
2006
Farm Aid: 20th Anniversary Concert
Self
2005
The Dukes of Hazzard
Uncle Jesse Duke
2005
Tootsie's Orchid Lounge: Where the Music Began
self
2005
Willie Nelson & Friends: Outlaws & Angels
Self
2004
Be Here to Love Me
Self - Musician
2004
Ray Charles: Genius Loves Company
Self
2004
CMA Music Festival
Self · (1 episode)
2004
The Big Bounce
Joe Lurie
2004
Willie Nelson - Live at Billy Bob's Texas
Self
2004
Emmylou Harris: From a Deeper Well
Self
2003
The Highwaymen: On the Road Again
Himself
2003
Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin'
Self
2003
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Self - Musical Guest · (1 episode)
2003
Farm Aid 2001 - A Concert For America
Himself
2002
The Country Bears
Willie Nelson
2002
Monk
Willie Nelson · (2 episodes)
2002
The Willie Nelson Special - With Special Guest Ray Charles
Self
2002
This Land Is Your Land - Folk Years
2002
CMT Crossroads
Self · (3 episodes)
2002
America | A Tribute to Heroes
Self - Performer
2001
Willie Nelson: Live in Amsterdam
Himself
2001
The Journeyman
Samuel Hancock
2001
Kinky Friedman: Proud To Be An Asshole From El Paso
Self
2001
Willie Nelson: Greatest Hits Live
Himself
1999
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Willie Nelson
1999
A Tribute To Johnny Cash
Self - Performer
1999
Outlaw Justice
Lee Walker
1999
The Story of Darrell Royal
Self
1999
Half Baked
Historian Smoker
1998
Willie Nelson at the Teatro
Self
1998
Wag the Dog
Johnny Dean
1997
Anthem
Self
1997
Gone Fishin'
Billy 'Catch' Pooler
1997
King of the Hill
Willie Nelson (voice) · (1 episode)
1997
The Beach Boys: Nashville Sounds
Self
1996
Starlight
1996
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
Self · (1 episode)
1996
Some Enchanted Evening: Celebrating Oscar Hammerstein II
Self
1995
Big Dreams & Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story
Willie Nelson
1995
The World of Jim Henson
Self (archive footage)
1994
Dust to Dust
1994
Kris Kristofferson: His Life and Work
Self
1993
Willie Nelson: The Big Six-O
Self
1993
Bob Dylan: The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration
1993
Delta
(1 episode)
1992
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
(4 episodes)
1992
Adventures in Wonderland
The Troubadour · (1 episode)
1992
Hot Country Nights
(1 episode)
1991
Wild Texas Wind
Willie Nelson
1991
WWE WrestleMania VII
Self - National Anthem
1991
Another Pair of Aces: Three of a Kind
Billy Roy Rodriguez
1991
The Highwaymen: Live at Nassau Coliseum
Self
1990
Pair of Aces
Billy Roy Barker
1990
Waylon: Renegade. Outlaw. Legend.
Himself
1990
The Simpsons
Willie Nelson (voice) · (1 episode)
1989
Kenny, Dolly & Willie: Something Inside So Strong
Self
1989
In the Hank Williams Tradition
Self
1989
Where the Hell's That Gold?!!?
Cross
1988
Once Upon a Texas Train
John Henry Lee
1988
Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz
Willie Nelson
1988
Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration
Self
1988
Baja Oklahoma
Self
1988
Walking After Midnight
Self
1988
Heartbeat
Himself
1987
Red Headed Stranger
Rev. Julian Shay
1986
Stagecoach
Doc Holliday
1986
The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James
Gen. Jo Shelby
1986
We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song
Self
1985
Songwriter
Doc Jenkins
1984
Miami Vice
Texas Ranger Jake Pierson · (1 episode)
1984
The Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team
1984
Hells Angels Forever
Himself
1983
Willie Nelson Live at the US Festival
Himself
1983
Playboy Video Magazine: Volume 4
Himself
1983
Willie Nelson & Family: In Concert
Himself
1983
Coming Out of the Ice
Red Loon
1982
Barbarosa
Barbarosa
1982
Willie Nelson's 90th Birthday Celebration
Champs-Elysées
Self (archive footage) · (1 episode)
1982
Thief
David 'Okla' Bertinneau
1981
Solid Gold
Self · (1 episode)
1980
Honeysuckle Rose
Buck
1980
The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1980
1980
The Electric Horseman
Wendell
1979
Willie Nelson's 4th of July Celebration
1979
The Kennedy Center Honors
Self · (1 episode)
1978
Mickey's 50
Self
1978
Saturday Night Live
Self - Host & Musical Guest · (1 episode)
1975
Saturday Night Live
Self - Musical Guest · (1 episode)
1975
Austin City Limits
Self · (7 episodes)
1975
A Poem Is a Naked Person
Self
1974
The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
Self · (2 episodes)
1969
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self · (2 episodes)
1962