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.
Movie | Twiggy | 2025 | |
Movie | Spinal Tap II | 2025 | |
Movie | The Beach Boys | Self (archive footage) | 2024-05-21 |
Movie | The Lost Weekend: A Love Story | Self (archive footage) | 2023-04-13 |
Movie | WHAM! | Self (archive footage) | 2023-06-27 |
Movie | Thriller 40 | Self (archive footage) | 2023-12-02 |
Movie | Reinventing Elvis: The 68' Comeback | Self (archive footage) | 2023-07-30 |
Movie | Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert | Self | 2022-09-03 |
Movie | 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony | Self | 2021-11-20 |
Movie | One World: Together at Home | Self | 2020-04-18 |
Movie | Coachella: 20 Years in the Desert | Self (archive footage) | 2020-04-10 |
Movie | Deconstructing the Beatles' Abbey Road: Side 1 | Self (archive footage) | 2019-04-22 |
Movie | Deconstructing the Beatles' Abbey Road: Side 2 | Self (archive footage) | 2019-07-01 |
Movie | Manson: Music From an Unsound Mind | Self (archive footage) | 2019-08-13 |
Movie | Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice | Self (archive footage) | 2019-09-06 |
Movie | Paul McCartney & Wings: Wild Life | 2018-11-30 | |
Movie | Paul McCartney | Live at Grand Central Station | Self | 2018-09-07 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: Live at Austin City Limits Music Festival, 2018 | Himself | 2018-10-07 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: Under the Staircase | Himself | 2018-09-14 |
Movie | Quincy | Self | 2018-09-21 |
Movie | Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales | Uncle Jack | 2017-05-23 |
Movie | Free to Rock | Self - The Beatles (archive footage) | 2017-05-01 |
Movie | It Was Fifty Years Ago Today! The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper & Beyond | Self | 2017-05-26 |
Movie | Dark Glamour: The Blood and Guts of Hammer Productions | Self - Musician (archive footage) | 2017-08-06 |
Movie | How the Beatles Changed the World | Self (archive footage) | 2017-10-23 |
Movie | Linkin Park and Friends - Celebrate Life in Honor of Chester Bennington | Self (archive footage) | 2017-10-27 |
Movie | Sgt Pepper's Musical Revolution | Self (archive footage) | 2017-06-03 |
Movie | My Generation | Self (archive footage) | 2017-10-08 |
Movie | GRAMMYS' Greatest Stories: A 60th Anniversary Special | Himself | 2017-11-23 |
Movie | Beatles chronology (1962-1970) | Self (archive footage) | 2016-02-19 |
Movie | The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years | Self | 2016-09-15 |
Movie | Deconstructing the Beatles' White Album | Self (archive footage) | 2016-11-16 |
Movie | Bang! The Bert Berns Story | Himself | 2016-03-11 |
Movie | Harry Benson: Shoot First | Self (archive footage) | 2016-11-04 |
Movie | A MusiCares Tribute To Paul McCartney | Self | 2015-03-24 |
Movie | Paul McCartney - Out There at Budokan | Himself | 2015-04-28 |
Movie | Unity | Self (archive footage) | 2015-08-12 |
Movie | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony | Self | 2015-05-30 |
Movie | The Beatles 1 | Self (archive footage) | 2015-11-06 |
Movie | I Am Chris Farley | Self (archive footage) | 2015-07-27 |
Movie | The Beatles 1+ | Self (archive footage) | 2015-11-06 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: Out There Tokyo | Self - Vocals, Bass | 2014-03-22 |
Movie | The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles | Self | 2014-02-09 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: Something NEW | Himself | 2014-10-24 |
Movie | Good Ol' Freda | Self (archive footage) | 2013-09-06 |
Movie | Sound City | Self | 2013-01-18 |
Movie | P!NK: Staying True | Self | 2013-11-01 |
Movie | Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train a Comin' | Self - Musician | 2013-11-04 |
Movie | Elvis Costello: Mystery Dance | Self | 2013-11-09 |
Movie | Paul Simon: Under African Skies | Self | 2012-05-11 |
Movie | London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony: Isles of Wonder | Self | 2012-07-27 |
Movie | The Diamond Jubilee Concert 2012 | Self - Performer | 2012-06-03 |
Movie | 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief | Self | 2012-12-12 |
Movie | Produced By George Martin | 2012-09-11 | |
Movie | Mr. Blue Sky: The Story of Jeff Lynne & ELO | Self | 2012-10-05 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: Live Kisses | Self | 2012-09-07 |
Movie | I Was There: When the Beatles Played the Cavern | Self (archive footage) | 2011-02-09 |
Movie | The Beatles - Unsurpassed Promos | Self (archive footage) | 2011-01-01 |
Movie | Billy Joel: Live at Shea Stadium | Self - Musical Guest | 2011-02-28 |
Movie | Annie Nightingale: Bird on the Wireless | Self | 2011-06-03 |
Movie | George Harrison: Living in the Material World | Self | 2011-10-05 |
Movie | God Bless Ozzy Osbourne | Self | 2011-04-24 |
Movie | The Love We Make | Self | 2011-09-10 |
Movie | Lady Gaga Presents: The Monster Ball Tour at Madison Square Garden | Self (uncredited) | 2011-05-07 |
Movie | The Best British Rock Concert of All Time, Live at Knebworth | Self | 2010-06-20 |
Movie | The Beatles: Fifty Fabulous Years | Self (archive footage) | 2010-01-01 |
Movie | Hard Rock Calling 2010 | Self | 2010-06-25 |
Movie | David Wants to Fly | 2010-05-06 | |
Movie | The 4 Complete Ed Sullivan Shows Starring The Beatles | Self (archive footage) | 2010-09-07 |
Movie | Paul McCartney Really Is Dead: The Last Testament of George Harrison | Self (archive footage) | 2010-09-01 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: In Performance at the White House | Self | 2010-06-28 |
Movie | The Beatles: A Magical History Tour | Self (archive footage) | 2010-12-15 |
Movie | John Lennon: Love Is All You Need | Self (archive footage) | 2010-07-19 |
Movie | Brüno | Self (uncredited) | 2009-07-08 |
Movie | How the Beatles Rocked the Kremlin | Himself | 2009-09-06 |
Movie | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live - The Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame | Self | 2009-11-03 |
Movie | The Rise & Fall of WCW | Self (archive footage) | 2009-12-17 |
Movie | Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall | Self | 2009-11-19 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: Good Evening New York City | Self | 2009-11-15 |
Movie | The Beatles on Record | Self | 2009-09-06 |
Movie | Composing the Beatles Songbook: Lennon & McCartney 1966-1970 | Self (archive footage) | 2008-02-12 |
Movie | Elvis: Viva Las Vegas | Self | 2008-09-16 |
Series | Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice | Self | 2008-10-12 |
Movie | Rare and Unseen: The Beatles | Self (archive footage) | 2008-04-08 |
Movie | All Together Now | Himself | 2008-10-20 |
Movie | Tony Bennett: Duets - The Making of an American Classic | Self | 2007-05-01 |
Movie | The Beatles: Help! | Self (archive footage) | 2007-10-27 |
Movie | The Beatles: Destination Hamburg | Self (archive footage) | 2007-11-12 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: The McCartney Years | 2007-11-12 | |
Movie | Paul McCartney: The Space Within Us | 2006-10-28 | |
Movie | Doctor Who: Origins | Self (archive footage) | 2006-01-30 |
Movie | The Beatles: Love Me Do - A Documentary | Self (archive footage) | 2005-02-14 |
Movie | The Beatles: Chronology Vol. 1 y 2 | Self - bajo, vocalista | 2005-02-22 |
Movie | Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today | Self | 2005-07-13 |
Movie | Live Aid Against All Odds | Self | 2005-06-15 |
Movie | Live 8 | Self | 2005-11-07 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: Chaos and Creation at Abbey Road | Self | 2005-07-28 |
Movie | The Beatles: Watching Rainbows | Self (archive footage) | 2004-07-01 |
Movie | Live Aid | Self | 2004-11-16 |
Movie | Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile | Self | 2004-10-05 |
Movie | Brian Wilson: On Tour | Self | 2003-03-17 |
Movie | Saturday Night Live: The Best of Chris Farley | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) | 2003-10-26 |
Movie | The Beatles: Around the World | Self (archive footage) | 2003-11-04 |
Movie | Concert for George | Self | 2003-10-03 |
Movie | Beatles: The Journey | Self (archive footage) | 2003-06-17 |
Movie | Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace | Self - Performer | 2002-06-03 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: Back in the U.S. | Self | 2002-11-26 |
Movie | Naqoyqatsi | Self (archive footage) | 2002-09-02 |
Movie | Beatles: Big Beat Box | Self (archive footage) | 2001-12-03 |
Movie | Wingspan | Himself | 2001-05-11 |
Movie | The Concert for New York City | Self | 2001-10-20 |
Movie | Television: The First Fifty Years | Self – The Beatles (archive footage) | 1999-01-01 |
Movie | The Beatles: A Celebration | Self (archive footage) | 1999-01-01 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: Live at the Cavern Club | Self - vocals & bass guitar | 1999-12-15 |
Movie | Tina Turner : Celebrate! | 1999-11-26 | |
Movie | Saturday Night Live: A Tribute to Chris Farley | Self | 1998-01-01 |
Movie | The Abbey Road Story | Himself | 1998-01-04 |
Movie | The Brian Epstein Story | Self | 1998-12-25 |
Movie | Music for Montserrat | Self | 1997-09-15 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: In the World Tonight | 1997-05-02 | |
Movie | Tropic Island Hum | Wirral / Froggo / Bison / Various | 1997-01-01 |
Movie | The Beatles Story | Self (archive footage) | 1996-07-01 |
Movie | Alf Bicknell's Beatles Diary | Self | 1996-01-01 |
Series | The Beatles Anthology | Self | 1995-11-19 |
Movie | In Search of James Bond with Jonathan Ross | A Beatle | 1995-12-10 |
Movie | You Can't Do That! The Making of 'A Hard Day's Night' | Self | 1995-01-01 |
Movie | The Beatles In Australia: 30th Anniversary | Self (archive footage) | 1994-06-23 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: Movin' On | Himself | 1993-09-23 |
Movie | Bill Monroe: Father of Bluegrass Music | Self | 1993-05-31 |
Movie | The Making of Sgt. Pepper | Self | 1992-06-14 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: The Complete Up Close Rehearsal | Self | 1992-12-10 |
Movie | The Beatles: The First U.S. Visit | Self (archive footage) | 1991-11-13 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: Unplugged | Himself | 1991-04-03 |
Movie | Paul McCartney's Get Back | Vocals, Bass | 1991-10-25 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: From Rio to Liverpool | Self | 1990-12-17 |
Movie | Silver Clef Award Winners Show, Knebworth Park | Self | 1990-11-15 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: Put It There | Self | 1989-06-10 |
Movie | Imagine: John Lennon | Self | 1988-09-30 |
Movie | Eat the Rich | Banquet Guest | 1987-10-23 |
Movie | Jimi Plays Monterey | Self (archive footage) | 1987-10-16 |
Movie | Fun with the Fab Four | Self (archive footage) | 1986-01-01 |
Movie | Live Aid | Self | 1985-07-13 |
Movie | British Rock: The First Wave | Self (archive footage) | 1985-10-10 |
Movie | Buddy Holly | Self | 1985-09-12 |
Movie | Give My Regards to Broad Street | Paul | 1984-11-28 |
Movie | The Cooler | Prisoner/Country Musician/Cowboy On Horseback (uncredited) | 1982-05-24 |
Movie | The Compleat Beatles | Self (archive footage) | 1982-10-01 |
Movie | Desert Island Discs | Self | 1982-02-23 |
Movie | This Is Elvis | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) | 1981-04-03 |
Movie | Concerts for the People of Kampuchea | Self | 1981-03-29 |
Movie | Rockshow | Himself | 1980-11-26 |
Movie | Wings Over the World | Himself | 1979-03-16 |
Movie | Back to the Egg | Self | 1979-11-20 |
Movie | I Wanna Hold Your Hand | Self (archive footage) | 1978-04-01 |
Movie | The Beatles at Shea Stadium | Self | 1977-08-06 |
Movie | The Beach Boys: It's OK | Self | 1976-11-22 |
Movie | Muhammad Ali: The Greatest | Self | 1974-04-09 |
Movie | The Society of the Spectacle | Self (archive footage) | 1974-05-01 |
Movie | James Paul McCartney | 1973-04-16 | |
Movie | The Bruce McMouse Show | Himself / Soily McMouse (voice) | 1972-01-02 |
Movie | Let It Be | Self (The Beatles) (uncredited) | 1970-05-13 |
Movie | Will the Real Mr. Sellers... | Self | 1969-12-18 |
Movie | The Beatles: Get Back...Winter of Discontent | Self (archive footage) | 1969-01-29 |
Movie | The Movie Orgy | Self (archive footage) | 1968-01-01 |
Movie | Yellow Submarine | Paul (uncredited) | 1968-07-17 |
Movie | All You Need Is Love | Self | 1967-07-07 |
Movie | Monument | Self (archive footage) | 1967-04-17 |
Movie | Magical Mystery Tour | Self / Major McCartney / Brown Nosed Magician | 1967-12-25 |
Movie | Die Beatles | Self (as The Beatles) | 1966-07-05 |
Movie | Reflections on Love | Self (archive footage) | 1966-05-01 |
Movie | Mal Evans on Vacation | Self | 1966-11-12 |
Movie | The Beatles Unauthorized | Self (archive footage) | 1965-01-01 |
Movie | New Musical Express Poll Winners Concert | 1965-04-11 | |
Movie | Pop Gear | Self | 1965-05-19 |
Movie | Help! | Paul | 1965-07-29 |
Series | The Beatles | 1965-09-25 | |
Movie | Doctor Who: The Chase | Self (archive footage) | 1965-06-26 |
Movie | The Beatles - Live at the Washington Coliseum | Self | 1964-03-14 |
Movie | The Beatles: Live in Washington DC | Self | 1964-03-14 |
Movie | The Beatles in Australia | Self | 1964-06-01 |
Movie | A Hard Day's Night | Paul | 1964-07-07 |
Movie | The Beatles Sing for Shell | Self | 1964-07-01 |
Movie | The Beatles: Live in The Netherlands | Self | 1964-07-17 |
Movie | The Mersey Sound | Self | 1963-09-10 |