William S. Burroughs
- Known for
- Writing
- Born
- February 5, 1914
- Died
- August 2, 1997
- Birthplace
- St. Louis, Missouri, USA
William Seward Burroughs II (February 5, 1914 – August 2, 1997) was an American writer and visual artist, widely considered a primary figure of the Beat Generation and a major postmodern author who influenced popular culture and literature. Burroughs wrote eighteen novels and novellas, six collections of short stories and four collections of essays, and five books have been published of his interviews and correspondences; he was initially briefly known by the pen name William Lee. He also collaborated on projects and recordings with numerous performers and musicians, made many appearances in films, and created and exhibited thousands of visual artworks, including his celebrated "Shotgun Art". Description above from the Wikipedia article William S. Burroughs, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Filmography
Robert Wilson: The Beauty of the Mysterious 2026
as Self (archive footage)
Nova '78 2026
as Self (archive footage)
Music, Fashion, Film 2026
as Self (archive footage)
This Is Buzz 2026
as Self (archive footage)
Queer 2024
Novel
Take Your Pills 2018
as Self (archive footage)
The Wild Boys 2017
Original Story
Uncle Howard 2017
as Self
Robert E. Fulton III Edit of Burroughs: The Movie 2015
Actor
Don't Blink - Robert Frank 2015
as Self (archive footage)
William S. Burroughs in the Dreamachine 2015
as Self
William S. Burroughs: The Possessed 2015
Actor
William S. Burroughs Birthday Bash 2014
Writer
- Coda I + Coda II
Coda I + Coda II 2013
as Self (voice) (archive sound)
Coda II 2013
as Self (voice) (archive sound)
Coda I 2013
as Self (voice) (archive sound)
For No Good Reason 2012
as Self (archive footage)
The Beat Hotel 2012
as Self (archive footage)
The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye 2012
Actor
Fix: The Ministry Movie 2011
as Self
William S. Burroughs: A Man Within 2010
as Self
- Nova Express
Nova Express 2009
as Narrator (voice), Writer
FLicKeR 2009
as Self
- Ma bande magnétique arrière
Ma bande magnétique arrière 2009
Writer
Joy Division 2009
Actor
Obscene: A Portrait of Barney Rosset and Grove Press 2008
as Self (archive footage)
The Japanese Sandman 2008
Writer
- Speak Out
Speak Out 2007
Actor
Words of Advice: William S. Burroughs On the Road 2007
Actor
Pantelia 2006
as Self
Wanderlust 2006
as Tom the Priest
- The Battle for 'I Am Curious-Yellow'
The Battle for 'I Am Curious-Yellow' 2003
as Self (archive footage)
The Last Words of Dutch Schultz 2001
Writer
Condo Painting 2000
as Self (archive footage)
The Making of Drugstore Cowboy 1999
as Self
Let It Come Down: The Life of Paul Bowles 1999
as Self (archive footage)
The Source 1999
as Self (archive footage)
The Book of Life 1998
as Preacher on Radio (voice)
Destroy All Rational Thought 1998
as Self
Good Will Hunting 1997
In Memory Of
Ah Pook Is Here. 1994
as Narrator, Novel
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues 1994
as Self
Glitterbug 1994
as Self
The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg 1994
as Self
September Songs: The Music of Kurt Weill 1994
as Self
Relics: Einstein's Brain 1994
as Self
The Junky's Christmas 1993
as Narrator, Novel
Naked Making Lunch 1992
as Self
Naked Lunch 1991
Novel
Wax, or The Discovery of Television Among the Bees 1991
as James "Hive" Maker
Thanksgiving Prayer 1991
as A Speaker, Writer
- William S. Burroughs: Commissioner of Sewers
William S. Burroughs: Commissioner of Sewers 1991
as Self
The Black Rider 1990
Writer
The Black Rider 1990
as Himself
Bloodhounds of Broadway 1989
as Butler
Drugstore Cowboy 1989
as Tom the Priest
Heavy Petting 1989
as Self
Twister 1989
as Man in Barn
Gang of Souls: A Generation of Beat Poets 1989
as Self
Home of the Brave: A Film by Laurie Anderson 1986
as Self
Ornette: Made in America 1986
as Self
It Don't Pay to Be an Honest Citizen 1985
as Mafioso
The Final Academy Documents 1984
Actor
Decoder 1984
as Old Man
Burroughs: The Movie 1984
as Self
This Song for Jack 1983
as Self
Pirate Tape 1983
Actor
The Discipline of D.E. 1982
Story
Poetry in Motion 1982
as Self
Taking Tiger Mountain 1982
Writer
Ghost at No. 9 1982
Actor, Writer
- Pirates: William Burroughs in London
Pirates: William Burroughs in London 1982
Actor
- Energy and How to Get It
Energy and How to Get It 1981
Actor
Shamans of the Blind Country 1981
as Narrator (voice)
- Chelsea Hotel
Chelsea Hotel 1981
as Self (uncredited)
- Fried Shoes Cooked Diamonds
Fried Shoes Cooked Diamonds 1979
as Self
Thot-Fal'N 1978
as Self
Underground and Emigrants 1976
as Self
Une semaine dans la vie de camarades 1976
Actor
- Bill and Tony
Bill and Tony 1972
as Self, Writer
Ice Cream 1970
Writer
Cain's Film 1969
as Self
Witchcraft Through the Ages 1968
as Narrator, Writer
- Chicago
Chicago 1968
as Self
Poem Posters 1967
as Self
Chappaqua 1966
as Opium Jones
The Cut-Ups 1966
Actor, Story
- Towers Open Fire
Towers Open Fire 1963
Actor, Writer
William Buys a Parrot 1963
as Self, Writer
Credits from TMDB.