Brian Wilson

Biography

Brian Douglas Wilson (June 20, 1942 — June 11, 2025) was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer who co-founded the Beach Boys. After signing with Capitol Records in 1962, Wilson wrote or co-wrote more than two dozen Top 40 hits for the group. He originally functioned as the band's songwriter, producer, co-lead vocalist, bassist, keyboardist, and de facto leader. Wilson was considered a major innovator in the field of music production, the principal originator of the California Sound, one of the first music producer auteurs, and the first rock producer to use the studio as its own instrument. The unusual creative control Capitol gave him over his own records effectively set a precedent that allowed other bands and artists to act as their own producers or co-producers. He was a major influence on the retrospectively-termed "sunshine pop" and Flower Power music that proceeded.

Known For

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Saturday Night Live

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Full House

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

Champs-Elysées

The Dick Cavett Show

Duck Dodgers

All Movies (76)

• Music is God Speaking – Brian Wilson2026 · as Self
• The Beach Boys2024 · as Self
• Reinventing Elvis: The 68' Comeback2023 · as Self (archive footage)
• A Grammy Salute to The Beach Boys2023 · as Self
• The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean's "American Pie"2022 · as Self (archive footage)
• Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road2021 · as Self
• Streetlight Harmonies2020 · as Self
• My Music: A Classic Christmas2019 · as Self - The Beach Boys (archive footage)
• The Beach Boys: Making Pet Sounds2017 · as Self
• Brian Wilson at la Baloise Session2016 · as Self
• The Beach Boys: A Long Promised Road - Volume 1 & 2 - 1962-19712016 · as Self
• I Hope You Dance: The Power and Spirit of Song2015 · as Self
• Brian Wilson and Friends - A Soundstage Special Event2015 · as Self
• Love & Mercy2015 · as Self (Archive Footage)
• Brian Wilson: Songwriter 1969-19822014 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Beach Boys - Live in Concert 50th Anniversary2012 · as Self
• The Beach Boys: Doin' It Again2012 · as Self
• …Sings Musicals2012 · as Self (archive footage)
• Endless Syncopation: The Rising Fall of The Beach Boys and The California Myth2012 · as Himself
• Classic Albums: The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds2010 · as Self - The Beach Boys
• Brian Wilson: Songwriter 1962-19692010 · as Self (archive footage)
• Going Home2009 · as Self
• Brian Wilson: That Lucky Old Sun2009 · as Self
• The Wrecking Crew2008 · as Self - The Beach Boys Co-Founder
• Beach Boys: Surfin' Success2008 · as Self
• Mellodrama2008 · as Self
• Cease to Exist2007 · as Self (archive footage)
• Musicares Presents a Tribute to Brian Wilson2007 · as Self
• The Swinging 60's - The Beach Boys2007 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Devil and Daniel Johnston2006 · as Self (Archival footage)
• Tales of the Rat Fink2006 · as The Surfite (voice)
• Live 82005 · as Self
• Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE2005 · as Self
• The Beach Boys: Wouldn't It Be Nice2005 · as Self
• Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile2004 · as Self
• The Beach Boys - California Surfin2004 · as Self (archive footage)
• Brian Wilson Presents: Pet Sounds – Live in London2003 · as Self
• Pet Stories2003 · as Self
• The Beach Boys: The Lost Concert2003 · as Self (uncredited)
• Brian Wilson: On Tour2003 · as Self
• Good Timin': Live at Knebworth England 19802003 · as Self
• Paul McCartney: Back in the U.S.2002 · as Self
• Jan & Dean: The Other Beach Boys2002 · as Self
• Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace2002 · as Self - Performer
• An All-Star Tribute To Brian Wilson2001 · as Self
• The Beach Boys: Endless Harmony2000 · as Self
• Brian Wilson: A Beach Boy's Tale1999 · as Self
• Brian Wilson’s Imagination1998 · as Self
• The Beach Boys and The Satan1997 · as Self
• The Beach Boys: Nashville Sounds1996 · as Self
• Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey1995 · as Self – Founder of The Beach Boys
• Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn't Made for These Times1995 · as Self
• The Beatles: The Making of Sgt. Pepper1992 · as Self
• Two Rooms: A Tribute to Elton John & Bernie Taupin1991 · as Self - Guest
• Disorderlies1987 · as Himself
• The Beach Boys: 25 Years Together - A Celebration In Waikiki1987 · as Self
• The Return of Bruno1987 · as Brian Wilson
• The Beach Boys: An American Band1985 · as Self
• Live Aid1985 · as Self
• The Beach Boys 20th Anniversary Special1981 · as Self
• The Beach Boys: A Celebration Concert1980 · as Self
• Goin' Platinum Presents The Beach Boys1980 · as Self
• The Beach Boys: Live At Knebworth1980 · as Self
• Echoes of the Sixties: A Musical Trip1979 · as Self
• The Beach Boys: It's OK1976 · as Self (The Beach Boys)
• The Beach Boys: It's OK1976 · as Self - Beach Boys member
• The Beach Boys: Live In Paris, 19691969 · as Self
• Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution1967 · as Self
• The Jack Benny Hour1965 · as Self (uncredited)
• The Monkey's Uncle1965 · as Self - The Beach Boys
• How to Stuff a Wild Bikini1965 · as Beach Boy
• The Girls on the Beach1965 · as Self
• Beach Blanket Bingo1965 · as Beach Boy
• The T.A.M.I. Show1964 · as Self - The Beach Boys
• One Man's Challenge1962 · as Self
• Bringing Her Home: The Story of Sloop John B— · as Self (archive footage)

All TV Shows (18)

• Dr. Feelgood2015 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Late Show with Stephen Colbert2015 · as Self
• Legends2006 · as Self (archive footage)
• Duck Dodgers2003 · as Brian Wilson (voice)
• Jimmy Kimmel Live!2003 · as Self
• Hack2002 · as Raymond Henley
• Behind the Music1997 · as Self
• Classic Albums1997 · as Self - The Beach Boys
• The Tonight Show with Jay Leno1992 · as Self
• Full House1987 · as Brian Wilson
• Goldene Kamera1984 · as Self
• Champs-Elysées1982 · as Self - The Beach Boys
• The Kennedy Center Honors1978 · as Self
• Saturday Night Live1975 · as Self - Musical Guest / Security Guard
• The Dick Cavett Show1968 · as Self - Guest
• Omnibus1967 · as Self
• Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution1967 · as Self
• The Ed Sullivan Show1948 · as Self