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 | Man on the Run | Self | 2025 |
Movie | Twiggy | 2024-10-15 | |
Movie | The Beach Boys | Self (archive footage) | 2024-05-21 |
Movie | One Hand Clapping | Self | 2024-09-26 |
Movie | The Lost Weekend: A Love Story | Self (archive footage) | 2023-04-13 |
Movie | WHAM! | Self (archive footage) | 2023-06-27 |
Movie | Elton John: Glastonbury 2023 | Self | 2023-06-25 |
Movie | Now and Then - The Last Beatles Song | Self | 2023-12-13 |
Movie | George Michael: Freedom Uncut | Self (archive footage) | 2022-06-16 |
Movie | The Beatles: Get Back - The Rooftop Concert | Self (archive footage) | 2022-01-30 |
Movie | If These Walls Could Sing | Self | 2022-09-03 |
Movie | Elvis | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) | 2022-06-22 |
Movie | The Sound of 007 | Self (archive footage) | 2022-10-04 |
Movie | Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert | Self | 2022-09-03 |
Movie | Under the Volcano | Self (archive footage) | 2021-03-20 |
Movie | The Sparks Brothers | Self (archive footage) | 2021-06-18 |
Movie | Paul McCartney At The BBC | 2021-11-20 | |
Series | The Beatles: Get Back | Self (archive footage) | 2021-11-25 |
Movie | 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony | Self | 2021-11-20 |
Movie | Parkinson at 50 | Self (archive footage) | 2021-08-28 |
Movie | Coachella: 20 Years in the Desert | Self (archive footage) | 2020-04-10 |
Movie | One World: Together at Home | Self | 2020-04-18 |
Movie | Meeting the Beatles in India | Self | 2020-09-09 |
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 | Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice | Self (archive footage) | 2019-09-06 |
Movie | Manson: Music From an Unsound Mind | Self (archive footage) | 2019-08-13 |
Movie | I Used to Be Normal: A Boyband Fangirl Story | 2018-08-07 | |
Movie | Paul McCartney | Live at Grand Central Station | Self | 2018-09-07 |
Movie | Quincy | Self | 2018-09-21 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: Under the Staircase | Self | 2018-09-14 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: Live at Austin City Limits Music Festival, 2018 | Self | 2018-10-07 |
Movie | Paul McCartney & Wings: Wild Life | 2018-11-30 | |
Movie | It Was Fifty Years Ago Today! The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper & Beyond | Self | 2017-05-26 |
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 | Sgt Pepper's Musical Revolution | Self (archive footage) | 2017-06-03 |
Movie | GRAMMYS' Greatest Stories: A 60th Anniversary Special | Self | 2017-11-23 |
Movie | Linkin Park and Friends Celebrate Life in Honor of Chester Bennington | Self (archive footage) | 2017-10-27 |
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 | My Generation | Self (archive footage) | 2017-10-08 |
Movie | Stupor Mundi: Livre 1, Rituel de décapitation du pape | Self (archive footage) | 2016-03-13 |
Movie | Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em Sport Relief Special | Himself | 2016-03-18 |
Movie | Bang! The Bert Berns Story | Self | 2016-03-11 |
Movie | Harry Benson: Shoot First | Self (archive footage) | 2016-11-04 |
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 | Biggest Band Break Ups and Make Ups | Self | 2015-04-10 |
Movie | A MusiCares Tribute To Paul McCartney | Self | 2015-03-24 |
Movie | Paul McCartney - Out There at Budokan | Self | 2015-04-28 |
Movie | Saturday Night Live: 40th Anniversary Special | Self | 2015-02-15 |
Movie | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony | Self | 2015-05-30 |
Movie | The Nation's Favourite Beatles Number One | Self (archive footage) | 2015-11-11 |
Movie | I Am Chris Farley | Self (archive footage) | 2015-07-27 |
Movie | Unity | Self (archive footage) | 2015-08-12 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: Something NEW | Self | 2014-10-24 |
Movie | The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles | Self | 2014-02-09 |
Movie | Sound City | Self | 2013-01-18 |
Movie | Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train a Comin' | Self - Musician | 2013-11-04 |
Movie | P!NK: Staying True | Self | 2013-11-01 |
Movie | Elvis Costello: Mystery Dance | Self | 2013-11-09 |
Movie | The Diamond Jubilee Concert 2012 | Self - Performer | 2012-06-03 |
Movie | Elvis Found Alive | (archival footage) | 2012-01-24 |
Movie | Wings - First Flight 1969-1974 | 2012-06-13 | |
Movie | Paul Simon: Under African Skies | Self | 2012-05-11 |
Movie | London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony: Isles of Wonder | Self | 2012-07-27 |
Movie | 12-12-12 | The Concert for Sandy Relief | Self | 2012-12-12 |
Movie | Mr. Blue Sky: The Story of Jeff Lynne & ELO | Self | 2012-10-05 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: Live Kisses | Self | 2012-09-07 |
Movie | Produced By George Martin | Self | 2012-09-11 |
Movie | Billy Joel: Live at Shea Stadium | Self - Musical Guest | 2011-02-28 |
Movie | I Was There: When the Beatles Played the Cavern | Self (archive footage) | 2011-02-09 |
Movie | Lady Gaga Presents: The Monster Ball Tour at Madison Square Garden | Self (uncredited) | 2011-05-07 |
Movie | God Bless Ozzy Osbourne | Self | 2011-04-24 |
Movie | The Love We Make | Self | 2011-09-10 |
Movie | Annie Nightingale: Bird on the Wireless | Self | 2011-06-03 |
Movie | The Best British Rock Concert of All Time, Live at Knebworth | Self | 2010-06-20 |
Movie | David Wants to Fly | 2010-05-06 | |
Movie | Hard Rock Calling 2010 | Self | 2010-06-25 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: In Performance at the White House | Self | 2010-06-28 |
Movie | All You Need Is Klaus | Self | 2010-10-02 |
Movie | John Lennon: Love Is All You Need | Self (archive footage) | 2010-07-19 |
Movie | Al's Brain | Man on the Street | 2009-07-10 |
Movie | The Beatles: Parting Ways | Self | 2009-01-01 |
Movie | Brüno | Self (uncredited) | 2009-07-08 |
Movie | How the Beatles Rocked the Kremlin | Self | 2009-09-06 |
Movie | The Rise & Fall of WCW | Self (archive footage) | 2009-12-17 |
Movie | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live - The Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame | Self | 2009-11-03 |
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 | Paul McCartney: Ecce Cor Meum | Self | 2008-02-04 |
Movie | Rare and Unseen: The Beatles | Self (archive footage) | 2008-04-08 |
Movie | All Together Now | Himself | 2008-10-20 |
Series | Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice | Self | 2008-10-12 |
Movie | Elvis | Viva Las Vegas | Self | 2008-09-16 |
Movie | Tony Bennett: Duets - The Making of an American Classic | Self | 2007-05-01 |
Movie | The Beatles Explosion | Self (archive footage) | 2007-01-01 |
Movie | The Beatles: Help! | Self (archive footage) | 2007-10-27 |
Movie | The Beatles: Destination Hamburg | Self (archive footage) | 2007-11-12 |
Movie | Doctor Who: Origins | Self (archive footage) | 2006-01-30 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: The Space Within Us | 2006-10-28 | |
Movie | The Beatles: Love | Self | 2006-11-20 |
Movie | The Beatles: Get Back...Winter of Discontent | Self (archive footage) | 2005-01-01 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: Chaos and Creation at Abbey Road | Self | 2005-07-28 |
Movie | Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today | Self | 2005-07-13 |
Movie | Live 8 | Self | 2005-11-07 |
Movie | Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile | Self | 2004-10-05 |
Movie | Brian Epstein: Inside the Fifth Beatle | Self (archive footage) | 2004-01-01 |
Movie | Live Aid | Self | 2004-11-16 |
Series | 20th Century Greats | Self (archive footage) | 2004-11-27 |
Movie | Beatles Biggest Secrets | Self (archive footage) | 2004-12-02 |
Movie | Beatles: The Journey | Self (archive footage) | 2003-06-17 |
Movie | Brian Wilson: On Tour | Self | 2003-03-17 |
Movie | Inside John Lennon - Unauthorized | Self (archive footage) | 2003-11-25 |
Movie | Concert for George | Self | 2003-10-03 |
Movie | Saturday Night Live: The Best of Chris Farley | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) | 2003-10-26 |
Movie | Naqoyqatsi | Self (archive footage) | 2002-09-02 |
Movie | Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace | Self - Performer | 2002-06-03 |
Movie | Things They Said Today | Self (archive footage) | 2002-09-30 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: Back in the U.S. | Self | 2002-11-26 |
Movie | The Concert for New York City | Self | 2001-10-20 |
Movie | Tina Turner : Celebrate! | Self | 1999-11-26 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: Live at the Cavern Club | Self - Vocals, Bass Guitar | 1999-12-15 |
Movie | The Abbey Road Story | Self | 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 | Self | 1997-05-02 |
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 | Help! War Child | Self | 1995-09-11 |
Series | The Beatles Anthology | Self | 1995-11-19 |
Movie | Paul is Live in Concert on The New World Tour | Self | 1994-03-21 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: Movin' On | Himself | 1993-09-23 |
Movie | Bill Monroe: Father of Bluegrass Music | Self | 1993-05-31 |
Movie | Death Scenes 2 | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) | 1992-01-01 |
Movie | The Making of Sgt. Pepper | Self | 1992-06-14 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: The Complete Up Close Rehearsal | Self | 1992-12-10 |
Movie | Paul McCartney's Get Back | Self - Vocals, Bass | 1991-10-25 |
Movie | Paul McCartney: Unplugged | Self | 1991-04-03 |
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 | Jimi Plays Monterey | Self (archive footage) | 1987-10-16 |
Movie | Eat the Rich | Banquet Guest | 1987-10-23 |
Movie | The Paul McCartney Special | Self | 1986-08-29 |
Movie | Rock 'N' Roll Goldmine: The Sixties | Self | 1986-01-01 |
Movie | British Rock: The First Wave | Self (archive footage) | 1985-10-10 |
Movie | Live Aid | Self | 1985-07-13 |
Movie | Give My Regards to Broad Street | Paul | 1984-11-28 |
Movie | Desert Island Discs | Self | 1982-02-23 |
Movie | The Compleat Beatles | Self (archive footage) | 1982-10-01 |
Movie | Concerts for the People of Kampuchea | Self | 1981-03-29 |
Movie | This Is Elvis | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) | 1981-04-03 |
Movie | Rockshow | Self | 1980-11-26 |
Movie | Back to the Egg | Self | 1979-11-20 |
Movie | Wings Over the World | Self | 1979-03-16 |
Movie | I Wanna Hold Your Hand | Self (archive footage) | 1978-04-01 |
Movie | The Day the Music Died | Self | 1977-01-01 |
Movie | The Beach Boys: It's OK | Self | 1976-11-22 |
Movie | Wings Over Australia | Self | 1975-11-13 |
Movie | The Society of the Spectacle | Self (archive footage) | 1974-05-01 |
Movie | Muhammad Ali: The Greatest | Self | 1974-04-09 |
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 | The Beatles: Something | Self | 1969-10-06 |
Movie | The Movie Orgy | Self (archive footage) | 1968-01-01 |
Movie | Yellow Submarine | Paul (uncredited) | 1968-07-17 |
Movie | Magical Mystery Tour | Self / Major McCartney / Brown Nosed Magician | 1967-12-25 |
Movie | Die Beatles | Self - The Beatles | 1966-07-05 |
Movie | Mal Evans on Vacation | Self | 1966-11-12 |
Movie | El Rey en Londres | Self (archive footage) | 1966-10-11 |
Movie | Help! | Paul | 1965-07-29 |
Movie | New Musical Express Poll Winners Concert | 1965-04-11 | |
Movie | Doctor Who: The Chase | Self (archive footage) | 1965-06-26 |
Movie | Pop Gear | Self | 1965-05-19 |
Movie | Around the Beatles | Self | 1964-05-06 |
Movie | A Hard Day's Night | Paul | 1964-07-07 |
Movie | The Mersey Sound | Self | 1963-09-10 |