William S. Burroughs

Person

William S. Burroughs

Writing February 5, 1914

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 pos…

IMDb

Known for

Popular titles

Good Will Hunting

Good Will Hunting

8.2 1997 Movie
Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live

6.9 1975 TV Show
Naked Lunch

Naked Lunch

7.0 1991 Movie
Drugstore Cowboy

Drugstore Cowboy

7.1 1989 Movie
Queer

Queer

6.5 2024 Movie
American Playhouse

American Playhouse

6.6 1982 TV Show
The Wild Boys

The Wild Boys

6.5 2017 Movie
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues

Even Cowgirls Get the Blues

4.3 1994 Movie
Take Your Pills

Take Your Pills

6.5 2018 Movie
Joy Division

Joy Division

7.6 2009 Movie
Twister

Twister

5.6 1989 Movie
The Book of Life

The Book of Life

6.4 1998 Movie

Photos

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Biography

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Read full 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.

Filmography

Movies and shows, newest first

  1. 2026
    Nova '78

    Movie Self (archive footage)

  2. 2026
    Music, Fashion, Film

    Movie Self (archive footage)

  3. 2026
    This Is Buzz

    Movie Self (archive footage)

  4. 2024
    Queer

    Movie Novel

  5. 2022
    Robert Wilson: The Beauty of the Mysterious

    Movie Self (archive footage)

  6. 2018
    Take Your Pills

    Movie Self (archive footage)

  7. 2017
    The Wild Boys

    Movie Original Story

  8. 2017
    Uncle Howard

    Movie Self

  9. 2015
    Robert E. Fulton III Edit of Burroughs: The Movie

    Movie

  10. 2015
    Don't Blink - Robert Frank

    Movie Self (archive footage)

  11. 2015
    William S. Burroughs in the Dreamachine

    Movie Self

  12. 2015
    William S. Burroughs: The Possessed

    Movie

  13. 2014
    William S. Burroughs Birthday Bash

    Movie Writer

  14. 2013
    Coda I + Coda II

    Movie Self (voice) (archive sound)

  15. 2013
    Coda I

    Movie Self (voice) (archive sound)

  16. 2013
    Coda II

    Movie Self (voice) (archive sound)

More credits
  1. 2012
    For No Good Reason

    Movie Self (archive footage)

  2. 2012
    The Beat Hotel

    Movie Self (archive footage)

  3. 2012
    The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye

    Movie

  4. 2011
    Fix: The Ministry Movie

    Movie Self

  5. 2010
    William S. Burroughs: A Man Within

    Movie Self

  6. 2009
    Nova Express

    Movie Narrator (voice)

  7. 2009
    FLicKeR

    Movie Self

  8. 2009
    Ma bande magnétique arrière

    Movie Writer

  9. 2009
    Joy Division

    Movie

  10. 2008
    Obscene: A Portrait of Barney Rosset and Grove Press

    Movie Self (archive footage)

  11. 2008
    The Japanese Sandman

    Movie Writer

  12. 2007
    Words of Advice: William S. Burroughs On the Road

    Movie

  13. 2006
    Pantelia

    Movie Self

  14. 2006
    Wanderlust

    Movie Tom the Priest

  15. 2003
    The Battle for 'I Am Curious-Yellow'

    Movie Self (archive footage)

  16. 2001
    The Last Words of Dutch Schultz

    Movie Writer

  17. 2000
    Condo Painting

    Movie Self (archive footage)

  18. 1999
    The Making of Drugstore Cowboy

    Movie

  19. 1999
    Let It Come Down: The Life of Paul Bowles

    Movie Self (archive footage)

  20. 1999
    The Source

    Movie Self (archive footage)

  21. 1998
    The Book of Life

    Movie Preacher on Radio (voice)

  22. 1998
    Destroy All Rational Thought

    Movie Self

  23. 1997
    Good Will Hunting

    Movie In Memory Of

  24. 1994
    Ah Pook Is Here.

    Movie Narrator