Brian Wilson
Known for: Acting
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.
Filmography
Series
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Self
2015
Series
Saturday Night Live
Self - Musical Guest / Security Guard
1975
Series
Full House
Brian Wilson
1987
Series
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Self
2003
Series
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Self
1992
Series
Champs-Elysées
Self - The Beach Boys
1982
Series
The Dick Cavett Show
Self - Guest
1968
Series
Classic Albums
Self - The Beach Boys
1997
Series
Omnibus
Self
1967
Series
Duck Dodgers
Brian Wilson (voice)
2003
Series
The Ed Sullivan Show
Self
1948
Goldene Kamera
Self
1984
Series
Behind the Music
Self
1997
Series
Hack
Raymond Henley
2002
Series
The Kennedy Center Honors
Self
1978
Series
Legends
Self (archive footage)
2006
Film
Love & Mercy
Self (Archive Footage)
2015
Film
Live Aid
Self
1985
Film
Disorderlies
Himself
1987
Film
The Beach Boys
Self
2024
Film
The Wrecking Crew
Self - The Beach Boys Co-Founder
2008
Dr. Feelgood
Self (archive footage)
2015
Film
Live 8
Self
2005
Film
Tales of the Rat Fink
The Surfite (voice)
2006
Film
The Beach Boys: Nashville Sounds
Self
1996
Film
The Devil and Daniel Johnston
Self (Archival footage)
2006
Film
I Hope You Dance: The Power and Spirit of Song
Self
2015
Film
Paul McCartney: Back in the U.S.
Self
2002
Film
Beach Blanket Bingo
Beach Boy
1965
Film
How to Stuff a Wild Bikini
Beach Boy
1965
Film
The Girls on the Beach
Self
1965
Film
The Monkey's Uncle
Self - The Beach Boys
1965
Film
A Grammy Salute to The Beach Boys
Self
2023
Film
Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road
Self
2021
Film
Reinventing Elvis: The 68' Comeback
Self (archive footage)
2023
Film
Brian Wilson - Live at Baloise Session
Self
2016
Film
Mellodrama
Self
2008
Film
Streetlight Harmonies
Self
2020
Film
The Return of Bruno
Brian Wilson
1987
Film
The T.A.M.I. Show
Self - The Beach Boys
1964
Film
Going Home
Self
2009
Film
Brian Wilson: That Lucky Old Sun
Self
2009
Film
Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey
Self – Founder of The Beach Boys
1995
Film
The Beatles: The Making of Sgt. Pepper
Self
1992
Film
My Music: A Classic Christmas
Self - The Beach Boys (archive footage)
2019
Film
The Beach Boys: It's OK
Self (The Beach Boys)
1976
Film
Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace
Self - Performer
2002
Film
Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE
Self
2005
Film
Echoes of the Sixties: A Musical Trip
Self
1979
Film
The Beach Boys: The Lost Concert
Self (uncredited)
2003
The Beach Boys: Wouldn't It Be Nice
Self
2005
Film
The Beach Boys: Endless Harmony
Self
2000
Film
Brian Wilson: On Tour
Self
2003
Film
The Beach Boys: It's OK
Self - Beach Boys member
1976
Film
The Jack Benny Hour
Self (uncredited)
1965
Film
Cease to Exist
Self (archive footage)
2007
Series
Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution
Self
1967
Film
Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile
Self
2004
Film
The Beach Boys and The Satan
Self
1997
Film
Classic Albums: The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
Self - The Beach Boys
2010
Film
Two Rooms: A Tribute to Elton John & Bernie Taupin
Self - Guest
1991
Film
Brian Wilson and Friends - A Soundstage Special Event
Self
2015
Film
Musicares Presents a Tribute to Brian Wilson
Self
2007
Film
Brian Wilson: A Beach Boy's Tale
Self
1999
Film
Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn't Made for These Times
Self
1995
Film
…Sings Musicals
Self (archive footage)
2012
Film
The Beach Boys: An American Band
Self
1985
Film
Beach Boys: Surfin' Success
Self
2008
Film
The Beach Boys: 25 Years Together - A Celebration In Waikiki
Self
1987
Film
An All-Star Tribute To Brian Wilson
Self
2001
Film
The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean's "American Pie"
Self (archive footage)
2022
Bringing Her Home: The Story of Sloop John B
Self (archive footage)
The Beach Boys - California Surfin
Self (archive footage)
2004
Film
Brian Wilson’s Imagination
Self
1998
Film
The Swinging 60's - The Beach Boys
Self (archive footage)
2007
Film
Jan & Dean: The Other Beach Boys
Self
2002
Goin' Platinum Presents The Beach Boys
Self
1980
Film
The Beach Boys: Making Pet Sounds
Self
2017
One Man's Challenge
Self
1962
Film
Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution
Self
1967
Film
Pet Stories
Self
2003
Film
Brian Wilson: Songwriter 1969-1982
Self (archive footage)
2014
Film
The Beach Boys: A Celebration Concert
Self
1980
Music is God Speaking – Brian Wilson
Self
2026
Film
The Beach Boys: Doin' It Again
Self
2012
Film
Good Timin': Live at Knebworth England 1980
Self
2003
Film
The Beach Boys: Live At Knebworth
Self
1980
Film
The Beach Boys - Live in Concert 50th Anniversary
Self
2012
Film
Brian Wilson: Songwriter 1962-1969
Self (archive footage)
2010
Film
The Beach Boys: Live In Paris, 1969
Self
1969
Film
The Beach Boys: A Long Promised Road - Volume 1 & 2 - 1962-1971
Self
2016
The Beach Boys 20th Anniversary Special
Self
1981
Film
Endless Syncopation: The Rising Fall of The Beach Boys and The California Myth
Himself
2012
Film
Brian Wilson Presents: Pet Sounds – Live in London
Self
2003