Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE (born 18 June 1942) is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles (1960–1970) and Wings (1971–1981), McCartney is the most commercially successful songwriter in the history of popular music, according to Guinness World Records.
McCartney gained worldwide fame as a member of The Beatles, alongside John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. McCartney and Lennon formed one of the most influential and successful songwriting partnerships and wrote some of the most popular songs in the history of rock music. After leaving The Beatles, McCartney launched a successful solo career and formed the band Wings with his first wife, Linda Eastman, and singer-songwriter Denny Laine. McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100 million singles in the UK.
BBC News Online readers named McCartney the "greatest composer of the millennium", and BBC News cites his Beatles song "Yesterday" as the most covered song in the history of recorded music—by over 2,200 artists—and since its 1965 release, has been played more than 7,000,000 times on American television and radio according to the BBC. Wings' 1977 single "Mull of Kintyre" became the first single to sell more than two million copies in the UK, and remains the UK's top selling non-charity single. Based on the 93 weeks his compositions have spent at the top spot of the UK chart, and 24 number one singles to his credit, McCartney is the most successful songwriter in UK singles chart history. As a performer or songwriter, McCartney was responsible for 32 number one singles on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and has sold 15.5 million RIAA certified albums in the US alone.
McCartney has composed film scores, classical and electronic music, released a large catalogue of songs as a solo artist, and has taken part in projects to help international charities. He is an advocate for animal rights, for vegetarianism, and for music education; he is active in campaigns against landmines, seal hunting, and Third World debt. He is a keen football fan, supporting both Everton and Liverpool football clubs. His company MPL Communications owns the copyrights to more than 3,000 songs, including all of the songs written by Buddy Holly, along with the publishing rights to such musicals as Guys and Dolls, A Chorus Line, and Grease. McCartney is one of the UK's wealthiest people, with an estimated fortune of £475 million in 2010.
| 2024 | Let It Be - At Last (The Restored 1970 Film) as Himself |
| 2023 | Paul McCartney: Got Back as Self |
| 2023 | A Saturday Night Live Christmas Special |
| 2023 | Now and Then - The Last Beatles Song as Self |
| 2023 | Thriller 40 as Self (archive footage) |
| 2023 | The Beatles and the BBC as Self (archive footage) |
| 2023 | Reinventing Elvis: The 68' Comeback as Self (archive footage) |
| 2023 | Wham! as Self (archive footage) |
| 2023 | Elton John: Glastonbury 2023 as Self |
| 2023 | Paul Newman, l'intranquille as Self (archive footage) |
| 2023 | Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis) as Self |
| 2023 | The Stones and Brian Jones as Self (voice) (archive material) |
| 2023 | Sounds of Liverpool at the BBC as Self (archive footage) |
| 2023 | Louder Than Rock as Self (archive footage) |
| 2023 | The Trials of Heather Mills as Self (archive footage) |
| 2023 | The Lost Weekend: A Love Story as Self (archive footage) |
| 2023 | Little Richard: I Am Everything as Self (archive footage) |
| 2023 | If These Walls Could Sing as Self |
| 2022 | Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues as Self (archive Footage) |
| 2022 | The Sound of 007 as Self (archive footage) |
| 2022 | The Beatles: 1964 US Tour Reconstruction |
| 2022 | Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert as Self |
| 2022 | Paul McCartney Live: Glastonbury Festival 2022 as Self |
| 2022 | Paul McCartney at Glastonbury 2022 as Self |
| 2022 | George Michael: Freedom Uncut as Self (archive footage) |
| 2022 | Paul McCartney - Eine Beatles-Legende as Himself (archive) |
| 2022 | The Queen: 70 Glorious Years as Self |
| 2022 | The Beatles: Get Back - The Rooftop Concert as Self (archive footage) |
| 2021 | 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony as Self |
| 2021 | Paul McCartney At The BBC |
| 2021 | The Beatles and India as Self (archive footage) |
| 2021 | Parkinson at 50 as Self (archive footage) |
| 2021 | Best of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go! as Self (archive footage) |
| 2021 | The Queen Carries On: A Gayle King Special as Self |
| 2021 | The Beatles: Let It Be |
| 2021 | Under the Volcano as Self (archive footage) |
| 2020 | Billy Connolly: It’s Been a Pleasure... as Self |
| 2020 | Paul McCartney at the Cavern Club |
| 2020 | Jealous Guy: The Assassination of John Lennon as Self (archive footage) |
| 2020 | Idris Elba Meets Paul McCartney |
| 2020 | Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train a Comin' as Self - Musician |
| 2020 | Meeting the Beatles in India as Self |
| 2020 | Ringo Starr’s Big Birthday Show as Self - Performer |
| 2020 | One World: Together at Home as Self |
| 2020 | Coachella: 20 Years in the Desert as Self (archive footage) |
| 2019 | Paul McCartney: Wings of a Beatle as Self (archive footage) |
| 2019 | Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice as Self (archive footage) |
| 2019 | Manson: Music From an Unsound Mind as Self (archive footage) |
| 2019 | Deconstructing the Beatles' Abbey Road: Side 2 as Self (archive footage) |
| 2019 | The Cavern Club: The Beat Goes On as Self |
| 2019 | Deconstructing the Beatles' Abbey Road: Side 1 as Self (archive footage) |
| 2019 | Killing John Lennon as Self (archive footage) |
| 2018 | Understanding Lennon/McCartney as Self (archival footage) |
| 2018 | Paul McCartney & Wings: Wild Life |
| 2018 | Paul McCartney: Live at Austin City Limits Music Festival, 2018 as Himself |
| 2018 | Quincy as Self |
| 2018 | Paul McCartney: Under the Staircase as Himself |
| 2018 | Paul McCartney | Live at Grand Central Station as Self |
| 2018 | Carpool Karaoke: When Corden Met McCartney Live From Liverpool as Himself |
| 2018 | The Beatles – Ready Steady Go! as Self |
| 2018 | Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars as Self |
| 2018 | George Harrison - All Things Pass as Self (archive footage) |
| 2018 | Take Your Pills as Self (archive footage) |
| 2017 | GRAMMYS' Greatest Stories: A 60th Anniversary Special as Self |
| 2017 | Linkin Park and Friends - Celebrate Life in Honor of Chester Bennington as Self (archive footage) |
| 2017 | Beatles Dünyayı Nasıl Değiştirdi? as Self (archive footage) |
| 2017 | My Generation as Self (archive footage) |
| 2017 | Terreur et glamour : montée et déclin du studio Hammer as Self - Musician (archive footage) |
| 2017 | Sgt Pepper's Musical Revolution as Self (archive footage) |
| 2017 | It Was Fifty Years Ago Today! The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper & Beyond as Self |
| 2017 | Karayip Korsanları: Salazar'ın İntikamı as Uncle Jack |
| 2017 | Free to Rock as Self - The Beatles (archive footage) |
| 2016 | Deconstructing the Beatles' White Album as Self (archive footage) |
| 2016 | Harry Benson: Shoot First as Self (archive footage) |
| 2016 | The Beatles: Hatfanın Sekiz Günü - Dünya Turnesi as Self |
| 2016 | Jim Carter: Lonnie Donegan and Me as Self |
| 2016 | Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em Sport Relief Special as Himself |
| 2016 | Stupor Mundi: Livre 1, Rituel de décapitation du pape as Self (archive footage) |
| 2016 | Bang! The Bert Berns Story as Himself |
| 2016 | Beatles chronology (1962-1970) as Self (archive footage) |
| 2015 | The Nation's Favourite Beatles Number One as Self (archive footage) |
| 2015 | The Beatles 1 as Self (archive footage) |
| 2015 | The Beatles 1+ as Self (archive footage) |
| 2015 | Unity as Self (archive footage) |
| 2015 | I Am Chris Farley as Self (archive footage) |
| 2015 | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony as Self |
| 2015 | Paul McCartney - Out There at Budokan as Himself |
| 2015 | Biggest Band Break Ups and Make Ups as Self |
| 2015 | A MusiCares Tribute To Paul McCartney as Self |
| 2015 | Saturday Night Live: 40th Anniversary Special as Self |
| 2014 | Paul McCartney: Something NEW as Himself |
| 2014 | The Dave Clark Five and Beyond: Glad All Over as Self |
| 2014 | Paul McCartney: Out There Tokyo as Self - Vocals, Bass |
| 2014 | The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles as Self |
| 2014 | Beatles på Sverigeturné as Self (archive footage) |
| 2013 | Elvis Costello: Mystery Dance as Self |
| 2013 | P!NK: Staying True as Self |
| 2013 | Paul McCartney - BBC Radio 2 in Concert as Self |
| 2013 | Good Ol' Freda as Self (archive footage) |
| 2013 | Müzik Şehri as Self |
| 2013 | Paul McCartney - Live on Hollywood Boulevard as Self |
| 2012 | Genius as Self (archive footage) |
| 2012 | 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief as Self |
| 2012 | Magical Mystery Tour Revisited as Self |
| 2012 | Mr. Blue Sky: The Story of Jeff Lynne & ELO as Self |
| 2012 | Produced By George Martin |
| 2012 | Paul McCartney: Live Kisses as Self |
| 2012 | The Beatles: In Chicago 1964-1966 as Self |
| 2012 | London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony: Isles of Wonder as Self |
| 2012 | Wings - First Flight 1969-1974 |
| 2012 | The Diamond Jubilee Concert 2012 as Self - Performer |
| 2012 | Paul Simon: Under African Skies as Self |
| 2012 | Paul McCartney Live at Zócalo as Self |
| 2012 | Paul McCartney On the Run Tour - Estadio Azteca as Self |
| 2012 | The Winged Beetle as Self |
| 2011 | Beatles Stories as Self (archive footage) |
| 2011 | George Harrison: Living in the Material World as Self |
| 2011 | The Love We Make as Self |
| 2011 | Annie Nightingale: Bird on the Wireless as Self |
| 2011 | Lady Gaga Presents: The Monster Ball Tour at Madison Square Garden as Self (uncredited) |
| 2011 | The Beatles: Recovered Archives Vol. 1 as Self (archive footage) |
| 2011 | The Beatles: Recovered Archives Vol. 2 as Self (archive footage) |
| 2011 | The Beatles: Recovered Archives Vol. 3 as Self (archive footage) |
| 2011 | The Beatles: Recovered Archives Vol. 4 as Self (archive footage) |
| 2011 | God Bless Ozzy Osbourne as Self |
| 2011 | Billy Joel: Live at Shea Stadium as Self - Musical Guest |
| 2011 | I Was There: When the Beatles Played the Cavern as Self (archive footage) |
| 2011 | The Beatles - Unsurpassed Promos as Self (archive footage) |
| 2010 | The Beatles: A Magical History Tour as Self (archive footage) |
| 2010 | All You Need Is Klaus as Himself |
| 2010 | The 4 Complete Ed Sullivan Shows Starring The Beatles as Self (archive footage) |
| 2010 | Paul McCartney Really Is Dead: The Last Testament of George Harrison as Self (archive footage) |
| 2010 | John Lennon: Love Is All You Need as Self (archive footage) |
| 2010 | Paul McCartney: In Performance at the White House as Self |
| 2010 | Hard Rock Calling 2010 as Self |
| 2010 | The Best British Rock Concert of All Time, Live at Knebworth as Self |
| 2010 | David Wants to Fly |
| 2010 | Paul McCartney: Up and Coming Brasil |
| 2010 | The Beatles: Fifty Fabulous Years as Self (archive footage) |
| 2009 | The Rise & Fall of WCW as Self (archive footage) |
| 2009 | Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall as Self |
| 2009 | Paul McCartney: Good Evening New York City as Self |
| 2009 | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live - The Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as Self |
| 2009 | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live - Whole Lotta Shakin' |
| 2009 | The Beatles: Here There and Everywhere as Self (archive footage) |
| 2009 | ...Sings the Beatles as Self (archive footage) |
| 2009 | The Beatles: The Mini Documentaries as Self |
| 2009 | How the Beatles Rocked the Kremlin as Himself |
| 2009 | The Beatles on Record as Self |
| 2009 | The Beatles: Budokan Tokyo 1966 as Self (lead and backing vocals, bass guitar) |
| 2009 | Paul McCartney - Live in Halifax, Nova Scotia |
| 2009 | Al's Brain as Man on the Street |
| 2009 | Brüno as Self (uncredited) |
| 2009 | The Motown Invasion |
| 2009 | The Beatles: Parting Ways as Himself |
| 2008 | All Together Now as Himself |
| 2008 | The Beatles: Magical Mystery Tour Memories as Self (Archive Footage) |
| 2008 | Elvis: Viva Las Vegas as Self |
| 2008 | Paul McCartney - Live in Quebec |
| 2008 | Paul McCartney - Live in Quebec City as Lead Vocals, Bass Guitar, Lead Guitars, Ukelele, Grand Piano |
| 2008 | Paul McCartney: Independence Concert - Live in Kiev as Self - Musician |
| 2008 | Paul McCartney: The Liverpool Sound |
| 2008 | Rare and Unseen: The Beatles as Self (archive footage) |
| 2008 | Composing the Beatles Songbook: Lennon & McCartney 1966-1970 as Self (archive footage) |
| 2008 | Paul McCartney: Ecce Cor Meum as Himself |
| 2007 | Paul McCartney: The McCartney Years |
| 2007 | The Beatles: Destination Hamburg as Self (archive footage) |
| 2007 | The Beatles: Help! as Self (archive footage) |
| 2007 | Paul McCartney: Live at BBC Electric Proms as Self |
| 2007 | Paul McCartney à l'Olympia 2007 |
| 2007 | Tony Bennett: Duets - The Making of an American Classic as Self |
| 2007 | The Beatles Explosion as Self (archive footage) |
| 2006 | The Beatles: Love as Self |
| 2006 | Paul McCartney: The Space Within Us |
| 2006 | Doctor Who: Origins as Self (archive footage) |
| 2006 | Paul McCartney and Wings - Lightspeed |
| 2005 | Live 8 as Self |
| 2005 | Paul McCartney: Chaos and Creation at Abbey Road as Self |
| 2005 | Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today as Self |
| 2005 | Live Aid Against All Odds as Self |
| 2005 | Ivor Cutler: Looking For Truth With a Pin as Self |
| 2005 | The Beatles: Chronology Vol. 1 y 2 as Self - bajo, vocalista |
| 2005 | The Beatles: Love Me Do - A Documentary as Self (archive footage) |
| 2004 | Beatles Biggest Secrets as Self (archive footage) |
| 2004 | Live Aid as Self |
| 2004 | Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile as Self |
| 2004 | Paul McCartney - The Music and Animation Collection as Himself |
| 2004 | Paul McCartney - Live at Glastonbury as Self |
| 2004 | The Beatles: Watching Rainbows as Self (archive footage) |
| 2004 | Brian Epstein: Inside the Fifth Beatle as Self (archive footage) |
| 2003 | Inside John Lennon - Unauthorized as Self (archive footage) |
| 2003 | The Beatles: Around the World as Self (archive footage) |
| 2003 | Saturday Night Live: The Best of Chris Farley as Self (archive footage) (uncredited) |
| 2003 | Concert for George as Self |
| 2003 | Paul McCartney: In Red Square as Himself |
| 2003 | Beatles: The Journey as Self (archive footage) |
| 2003 | Brian Wilson: On Tour as Self |
| 2002 | Paul McCartney: Back in the U.S. as Self |
| 2002 | Things They Said Today as Self (archive footage) |
| 2002 | Naqoyqatsi as Self (archive footage) |
| 2002 | Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace as Self - Performer |
| 2002 | There's Only One Paul McCartney as Self (archive footage) |
| 2002 | Paul McCartney & Friends: The PeTA Concert for Party Animals as Self |
| 2001 | Beatles: Big Beat Box as Self (archive footage) |
| 2001 | The Concert for New York City as Self |
| 2001 | Tuesday as voice |
| 2001 | Wingspan as Himself |
| 1999 | Paul McCartney: Live at the Cavern Club as Self - vocals & bass guitar |
| 1999 | Tina Turner : Celebrate! |
| 1999 | Goodnight Moon & Other Sleepytime Tales as Self (archive footage / uncredited) |
| 1999 | Here, There and Everywhere: A Concert for Linda as Self |
| 1999 | Television: The First Fifty Years as Self – The Beatles (archive footage) |
| 1999 | The Beatles: A Celebration as Self (archive footage) |
| 1998 | The Brian Epstein Story as Self |
| 1998 | The Abbey Road Story as Himself |
| 1998 | Saturday Night Live: A Tribute to Chris Farley as Self |
| 1997 | Ballad of the Skeletons |
| 1997 | Music for Montserrat as Self |
| 1997 | Go Cat Go! as Self |
| 1997 | Paul McCartney: In the World Tonight |
| 1997 | Tropic Island Hum as Wirral / Froggo / Bison / Various |
| 1996 | The Beatles Story as Self (archive footage) |
| 1996 | Alf Bicknell's Beatles Diary as Self |
| 1995 | In Search of James Bond with Jonathan Ross as A Beatle |
| 1995 | Help! War Child as Self |
| 1995 | You Can't Do That! The Making of 'A Hard Day's Night' as Self |
| 1994 | The Beatles In Australia: 30th Anniversary as Self (archive footage) |
| 1994 | Paul Is Live In Concert – On the New World Tour as Himself |
| 1994 | Paul is Live in Concert on The New World Tour as Himself |
| 1993 | Ready Steady Go! The Beatles Live as Self |
| 1993 | Paul McCartney: Movin' On as Himself |
| 1993 | Paul McCartney - Live in Charlotte |
| 1993 | Bill Monroe: Father of Bluegrass Music as Self |
| 1992 | Holiday Greetings from 'The Ed Sullivan Show' as Self (archive footage) |
| 1992 | Paul McCartney: The Complete Up Close Rehearsal as Self |
| 1992 | Rolling Stone 25: The MTV Special as Himself |
| 1992 | The Making of Sgt. Pepper as Self |
| 1991 | The Beatles: The First U.S. Visit as Self (archive footage) |
| 1991 | Paul McCartney's Get Back as Vocals, Bass |
| 1991 | Paul McCartney: Ghosts of the Past as him self |
| 1991 | Paul McCartney: Unplugged as Himself |
| 1990 | Paul McCartney: From Rio to Liverpool as Self |
| 1990 | Silver Clef Award Winners Show, Knebworth Park as Self |
| 1989 | Paul McCartney: Put It There as Self |
| 1988 | Imagine: John Lennon as Self |
| 1987 | Eat the Rich as Banquet Guest |
| 1987 | Jimi Plays Monterey as Self (archive footage) |
| 1986 | The Paul McCartney Special as Himself |
| 1986 | Fun with the Fab Four as Self (archive footage) |
| 1985 | British Rock: The First Wave as Self (archive footage) |
| 1985 | Buddy Holly as Self |
| 1985 | Live Aid as Self |
| 1985 | Rupert and the Frog Song as Various Characters |
| 1985 | Video AID as Self |
| 1984 | Give My Regards to Broad Street as Paul |
| 1982 | The Compleat Beatles as Self (archive footage) |
| 1982 | Paul McCartney - Take It Away |
| 1982 | The Cooler as Prisoner/Country Musician/Cowboy On Horseback (uncredited) |
| 1982 | Desert Island Discs as Self |
| 1982 | Oops, Those Hollywood Bloopers! as Self (archive footage) |
| 1982 | The Rolling Stones - Die ersten 20 Jahre as Self |
| 1981 | This Is Elvis as Self (archive footage) (uncredited) |
| 1981 | Concerts for the People of Kampuchea as Self |
| 1980 | Rockshow as Himself |
| 1979 | Back to the Egg as Self |
| 1979 | Wings Over the World as Himself |
| 1978 | Beatles Hayranlari as Self (archive footage) |
| 1977 | The Beatles at Shea Stadium as Self |
| 1977 | Mighty Good: The Beatles as Self |
| 1977 | The Day the Music Died as Self |
| 1976 | The Beach Boys: It's OK as Self |
| 1976 | Wings Over Australia as Self |
| 1974 | Braverman's Condensed Cream of the Beatles as Self (archive footage) |
| 1974 | La Société du spectacle as Self (archive footage) |
| 1974 | Muhammad Ali: The Greatest as Self |
| 1974 | One Hand Clapping |
| 1973 | James Paul McCartney |
| 1972 | The Bruce McMouse Show as Himself / Soily McMouse (voice) |
| 1970 | Let It Be as Self (The Beatles) (uncredited) |
| 1969 | Will the Real Mr. Sellers... as Self |
| 1969 | The Beatles: SOMETHING as Self |
| 1969 | The Beatles - Abbey Road as Self - vocals, bass |
| 1969 | The Beatles: Get Back...Winter of Discontent as Self (archive footage) |
| 1969 | The Beatles - The Get Back Chronicles 1969 Volume One as Self (archive footage) |
| 1969 | The Beatles - The Get Back Chronicles 1969 Volume Three as Self (archive footage) |
| 1969 | The Beatles - The Get Back Chronicles 1969 Volume Two as Self (archive footage) |
| 1968 | The Beatles Mod Odyssey as Self |
| 1968 | The Beatles: HEY JUDE as Self |
| 1968 | The Beatles: REVOLUTION as Self |
| 1968 | Sarı Denizaltı as Paul (uncredited) |
| 1968 | The Movie Orgy as Self (archive footage) |
| 1967 | Magical Mystery Tour as Self / Major McCartney / Brown Nosed Magician |
| 1967 | All You Need Is Love as Self |
| 1967 | Our World as Self |
| 1967 | Monument as Self (archive footage) |
| 1966 | Mal Evans on Vacation as Self |
| 1966 | El Rey en Londres as Self (archive footage) |
| 1966 | Beatles - Tokyo, Japan 66 as Himself |
| 1966 | Die Beatles as Self (as The Beatles) |
| 1966 | Reflections on Love as Self (archive footage) |
| 1965 | The Music of Lennon & McCartney as Self (archive footage) |
| 1965 | The Beatles: Live in Paris as Self |
| 1965 | Help! as Paul |
| 1965 | Doctor Who: The Chase as Self (archive footage) |
| 1965 | Pop Gear as Self |
| 1965 | The Beatles Unauthorized as Self (archive footage) |
| 1964 | What's Happening! The Beatles in the USA as Self - The Beatles Member |
| 1964 | The Beatles: Live in The Netherlands as Self |
| 1964 | Gençlerin Sevgilisi as Paul |
| 1964 | The Beatles Sing for Shell as Self |
| 1964 | The Beatles in Australia as Self |
| 1964 | Around the Beatles as Self |
| 1964 | The Beatles - Live at the Washington Coliseum, 1964 as Self |
| 1964 | The Beatles: Live in Washington DC as Self |
| 1964 | Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! The Beatles in New York as Self (archive footage) |
| 1963 | The Beatles Come to Town as Self |
| 1963 | The Beatles - Live at The Empire Theatre Liverpool |
| 1963 | The Mersey Sound as Self |
| It's So Far Out, It's Straight Down! |
| Man on the Run as Self |
| Spinal Tap II |
| The Beatles - In Germany 24-26 June, 1966 as Self |
| The Beatles - 1967-1970 as Self (archive footage) |
| The Beatles are Coming |
| Twiggy |
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