William S. Burroughs

Biography

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.

Known For

Saturday Night Live

Drugstore Cowboy

Even Cowgirls Get the Blues

Wanderlust

The Source

Bloodhounds of Broadway

Twister

The Book of Life

All Movies (75)

• This Is Buzz2026 · as Self (archive footage)
• Nova '782025 · as Self (archive footage)
• Robert Wilson: The Beauty of the Mysterious2022 · as Self (archive footage)
• Take Your Pills2018 · as Self (archive footage)
• Uncle Howard2017 · as Self
• Robert E. Fulton III Edit of Burroughs: The Movie2015
• Don't Blink - Robert Frank2015 · as Self (archive footage)
• William S. Burroughs in the Dreamachine2015 · as Self
• William S. Burroughs: The Possessed2015
• Coda I + Coda II2013 · as Self (voice) (archive sound)
• Coda I2013 · as Self (voice) (archive sound)
• Coda II2013 · as Self (voice) (archive sound)
• For No Good Reason2012 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Beat Hotel2012 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye2012
• Fix: The Ministry Movie2011 · as Self
• William S. Burroughs: A Man Within2010 · as Self
• Nova Express2009 · as Narrator (voice)
• FLicKeR2009 · as Self
• Joy Division2009
• Obscene: A Portrait of Barney Rosset and Grove Press2008 · as Self (archive footage)
• Words of Advice: William S. Burroughs On the Road2007
• Pantelia2006 · as Self
• Wanderlust2006 · as Tom the Priest
• The Battle for 'I Am Curious-Yellow'2003 · as Self (archive footage)
• Condo Painting2000 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Making of Drugstore Cowboy1999
• Let It Come Down: The Life of Paul Bowles1999 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Source1999 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Book of Life1998 · as Preacher on Radio (voice)
• Destroy All Rational Thought1998 · as Self
• Ah Pook Is Here.1994 · as Narrator
• Even Cowgirls Get the Blues1994 · as Self
• Glitterbug1994 · as Self
• The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg1994 · as Self
• September Songs: The Music of Kurt Weill1994 · as Self
• Relics: Einstein's Brain1994 · as Self
• The Junky's Christmas1993 · as Narrator
• Naked Making Lunch1992 · as Self
• Wax, or The Discovery of Television Among the Bees1991 · as James "Hive" Maker
• William S. Burroughs: Commissioner of Sewers1991 · as Self
• Thanksgiving Prayer1991 · as A Speaker
• The Black Rider1990 · as Himself
• Bloodhounds of Broadway1989 · as Butler
• Drugstore Cowboy1989 · as Tom the Priest
• Heavy Petting1989 · as Self
• Twister1989 · as Man in Barn
• Gang of Souls: A Generation of Beat Poets1989 · as Self
• Home of the Brave: A Film by Laurie Anderson1986 · as Self
• Ornette: Made in America1986 · as Self
• It Don't Pay to Be an Honest Citizen1985 · as Mafioso
• The Final Academy Documents1984
• Decoder1984 · as Old Man
• Burroughs: The Movie1984 · as Self
• This Song for Jack1983 · as Self
• Pirate Tape1983
• Poetry in Motion1982 · as Self
• Ghost at No. 91982
• Pirates: William Burroughs in London1982
• Energy and How to Get It1981
• Shamans of the Blind Country1981 · as Narrator (voice)
• Chelsea Hotel1981 · as Self (uncredited)
• Fried Shoes Cooked Diamonds1979 · as Self
• Thot-Fal'N1978 · as Self
• Underground and Emigrants1976 · as Self
• Une semaine dans la vie de camarades1976
• Bill and Tony1972 · as Self
• Cain's Film1969 · as Self
• Witchcraft Through the Ages1968 · as Narrator
• Chicago1968 · as Self
• Poem Posters1967 · as Self
• Chappaqua1966 · as Opium Jones
• The Cut-Ups1966
• Towers Open Fire1963
• William Buys a Parrot1963 · as Self

All TV Shows (1)

• Saturday Night Live1975 · as Self