William S. Burroughs
Writing
72
Acting Credits
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 collab...
Known For
Filmography
This Is Buzz
2026
as Himself
Nova '78
2025
as Self (archive footage)
Robert Wilson: The Beauty of the Mysterious
2022
as Self (archive footage)
Take Your Pills
2018
as Self (archive footage)
Uncle Howard
2017
as Self
William S. Burroughs: The Possessed
2015
Don't Blink - Robert Frank
2015
as Self (archive footage)
Robert E. Fulton III Edit of Burroughs: The Movie
2015
William S. Burroughs in the Dreamachine
2015
as Self
Coda I + Coda II
2013
as Self (voice) (archive sound)
Coda I
2013
as Self (voice) (archive sound)
Coda II
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
Fix: The Ministry Movie
2011
as Self
William S. Burroughs: A Man Within
2010
as Self
FLicKeR
2009
as Self
Nova Express
2009
as Narrator (voice)
Obscene: A Portrait of Barney Rosset and Grove Press
2008
as Self (archive footage)
Words of Advice: William S. Burroughs On the Road
2007
Wanderlust
2006
as Tom the Priest
Pantelia
2006
as Self
The Battle for 'I Am Curious-Yellow'
2003
as Self (archive footage)
Condo Painting
2000
as Self (archive footage)
Let It Come Down: The Life of Paul Bowles
1999
as Self (archive footage)
The Source
1999
as Self (archive footage)
The Making of Drugstore Cowboy
1999
Destroy All Rational Thought
1998
as Self
The Book of Life
1998
as Preacher on Radio (voice)
Relics: Einstein's Brain
1994
as Self
September Songs: The Music of Kurt Weill
1994
as Self
Glitterbug
1994
as Self
Ah Pook Is Here.
1994
as Narrator
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
1994
as Self
The Junky's Christmas
1993
as Narrator
Naked Making Lunch
1992
as Self
Wax, or The Discovery of Television Among the Bees
1991
as James "Hive" Maker
William S. Burroughs: Commissioner of Sewers
1991
as Self
Thanksgiving Prayer
1991
as A Speaker
Bloodhounds of Broadway
1989
as Butler
Twister
1989
as Man in Barn
Drugstore Cowboy
1989
as Tom the Priest
Heavy Petting
1989
as Self
Gang of Souls: A Generation of Beat Poets
1989
as Self
Ornette: Made in America
1986
as Self
Home of the Brave: A Film by Laurie Anderson
1986
as Self
It Don't Pay to Be an Honest Citizen
1985
as Mafioso
The Final Academy Documents
1984
Decoder
1984
as Old Man
Burroughs: The Movie
1984
as Self
Pirate Tape
1983
This Song for Jack
1983
as Self
Ghost at No. 9
1982
Poetry in Motion
1982
as Self
Shamans of the Blind Country
1981
as Narrator (voice)
Chelsea Hotel
1981
as Self (uncredited)
Energy and How to Get It
1981
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
Saturday Night Live
1975
as Self
Bill and Tony
1972
as Self
Cain's Film
1969
as Self
Witchcraft Through the Ages
1968
as Narrator
Chicago
1968
as Self
Poem Posters
1967
as Self
Chappaqua
1966
as Opium Jones
The Cut-Ups
1966
William Buys a Parrot
1963
as Self
Towers Open Fire
1963