Known for movies

Short Info

Net Worth$40 million
Date Of BirthApril 6, 1937
DiedApril 6, 2016, Palo Cedro, California, United States
SpouseTheresa Ann Lane, Debbie Parret, Leona Williams, Bonnie Owens, Leona Hobbs, Mama Tried, Okie from Muskogee, Sing Me Back Home
FactHas scored 38 No. 1 hits on Billboard magazine's country singles charts between 1967 to 1988. Among his biggest hits included "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive" (1967); "Sing Me Back Home," "The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde" and "Mama Tried" (all 1968); "Hungry Eyes," "Working Man Blues" and "Okie From Muskogee" (all 1969); "The Fightin' Side of Me" (1970); "If We Make it Through December" (1973); and "Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Star" (1988). He's also had duet hits with such performers as Leona Williams, Clint Eastwood, George Jones, Willie Nelson and Jewel Kilcher.


Merle Haggard was born on April 6, 1937, in Oildale, California, to James Francis Haggard and Flossie Mae Harp. His parents divorced when he was five, and he and his brother, Lowell, were raised by their father. Haggard dropped out of school in the eighth grade and began working as a farmhand. He also began drinking and getting into trouble with the law. In 1955, he was sent to prison for burglary. While in prison, Haggard learned to play the guitar and began writing songs.

After his release from prison, Haggard tried to turn his life around. He started playing music professionally and soon became one of the most popular country singers in the world. Haggard had many hits, including “Okie from Muskogee” and “The Fightin’ Side of Me.” He was also known for his outspoken support of the working class and his opposition to government interference in people’s lives.

Haggard was married three times and had seven children. His first marriage, to Leona Williams, ended in divorce. His second marriage, to Bonnie Owens, also ended in divorce. Haggard’s third marriage, to Theresa Lane, lasted until his death.

Haggard died on April 6, 2016, at the age of 79.

Merle Haggard was a country music singer and songwriter who rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s. He was known for his outlaw image and his songs about the working class. Haggard had many hits, including “Okie from Muskogee” and “The Fightin’ Side of Me.” He was also known for his outspoken support of the working class and his opposition to government interference in people’s lives.

General Info

Full NameMerle Haggard
Net Worth$40 million
Date Of BirthApril 6, 1937
DiedApril 6, 2016, Palo Cedro, California, United States
Height1.75 m
ProfessionRecord producer, Multi-instrumentalist, Singer-songwriter, Guitarist, Fiddler, Actor, Composer, Songwriter, Mama Tried, Okie from Muskogee, Sing Me Back Home
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseTheresa Ann Lane, Debbie Parret, Leona Williams, Bonnie Owens, Leona Hobbs, Mama Tried, Okie from Muskogee, Sing Me Back Home
ChildrenMama Tried, Okie from Muskogee, Sing Me Back Home, Marty Haggard, Noel Haggard, Ben Haggard, Jenessa Haggard, Kelli Haggard, Dana Haggard
ParentsJames Francis Haggard, Flossie Mae Harp, Mama Tried, Okie from Muskogee, Sing Me Back Home
SiblingsLowell Haggard, Lillian Haggard, Mama Tried, Okie from Muskogee, Sing Me Back Home

Accomplishments

AwardsKennedy Center Honors, Country Music Association Award for Entertainer of the Year, Country Music Association Award for Male Vocalist of the Year, Country Music Association Award for Single of the Year, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Academy of Country Music Awards Crystal Milestone Award, Acade...
NominationsCountry Music Association Award for Musical Event of the Year, Academy of Country Music Award for Vocal Event of the Year, Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year, Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, Country Music Association Award for Vocal Event of ...
MoviesKillers Three, Hillbillys in a Haunted House, The 5th Dimension Travelling Sunshine Show, Dolly Parton and Friends: On the Country Train, Johnny Cash: The Anthology, Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison, Merle Haggard: Live from Austin, TX, Merle Haggard: Live at Billy Bob's Texas, Merle Haggard: In Concert...
TV ShowsCentennial

Social profile links

Quotes

#Quote
1When George Jones died, we lost the greatest country singer who ever lived. Every time he stepped in front of a mike, he knocked me out. "She Thinks I Still Care' is my favorite. Then there's 'White Lightning', and the list goes on forever. His delivery on 'He Stopped Loving Her Today' is comparable to a fine opera. He's conveying something there about as well as it can be conveyed. I think he's with the Lord, probably having a great time , him and old Hank Williams and all the rest. ( Wait a minute now, Hank may not be there.) George was real .. the most down-to-earth old country boy - didn't want anything special. He was just George Jones and we loved him.
2Willie Nelson's the one who told me the reason it costs so much to get divorced is because it's worth it.

Facts

#Fact
1Supported Hillary Clinton's bid to win the Democratic nomination in 2016.
2Died on his birthday, after complications with pneumonia at his home in California. He was 79.
3Underwent surgery for lung cancer in November 2008.
4Hospitalized with double pneumonia in December 2015 and March 2016.
5Famous country & western singer
6Bore a resemblance to actor Warren Beatty during the 1960s & '70s.
7Recipient of the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors; other recipients that year were Oprah Winfrey, Jerry Herman, Paul McCartney, and Bill T. Jones.
8Son of James Frances Haggard and Flossie Mae Harp, children: Dana, Marty, Kelli and Noel Haggard.
9Has scored 38 No. 1 hits on Billboard magazine's country singles charts between 1967 to 1988. Among his biggest hits included "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive" (1967); "Sing Me Back Home," "The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde" and "Mama Tried" (all 1968); "Hungry Eyes," "Working Man Blues" and "Okie From Muskogee" (all 1969); "The Fightin' Side of Me" (1970); "If We Make it Through December" (1973); and "Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Star" (1988). He's also had duet hits with such performers as Leona Williams, Clint Eastwood, George Jones, Willie Nelson and Jewel Kilcher.
10Has been vocal in his opposition to the state of current country radio programming, which he has said focuses more on younger, pop-country oriented acts rather than traditional stars.
11As an inmate at San Quentin from 1958 to 1960, Merle Haggard saw Johnny Cash play at the prison on January 1, 1959. It changed his life. Haggard was later granted a pardon by Ronald Reagan when the former actor was Governor of California.
12Inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994.

Pictures

Movies

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
BallersTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2015 writer - 1 episode, 2015
Mad MenTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2015 writer - 1 episode, 2015
Finders Keepers2015/IDocumentary writer: "Mama Tried"
The Judge2014writer: "The Bottle Let Me Down"
The Marty Stuart ShowTV Series writer - 7 episodes, 2009 - 2014 performer - 2 episodes, 2010 - 2013
The 56th Annual Grammy Awards2014TV Special performer: "Okie from Muskogee" / writer: "Okie from Muskogee"
Ragamuffin2014arranger: "This World Is Not My Home"
One Hit WonderlandTV Series documentary performer - 1 episode, 2012 writer - 1 episode, 2012
Jack Reacher2012performer: "The Fightin' Side of Me" / writer: "The Fightin' Side of Me"
The Factory2012/Vperformer: "Put Me In Your Pocket"
The Sapphires2012writer: "Today I Started Loving You Again" - as Haggard
Évocateur: The Morton Downey Jr. Movie2012Documentary writer: "Are the Good Times Really Over?"
Les infidèles2012performer: "Workin' Man Blues" / writer: "Workin' Man Blues"
CMT: 40 Greatest Love Songs2011TV Movie performer: "That's The Way Love Goes"
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno2011TV Series performer - 1 episode
Memphis Rising: Elvis Returns2011performer: "From GraceLand To The Promise Land" / writer: "From GraceLand To The Promise Land"
Country Strong2010writer: "Silver Wings"
Country's Greatest Stars Live: Vol. 12010Video performer: "Texas Playboy Theme / Bob Wills Special / Ida Red / Faded Love / Roly Poly / San Antonio Rose"
Skateland2010performer: "PANCHO AND LEFTY"
Legion2010performer: "If We Make It through December" / writer: "If We Make It through December"
Capitalism: A Love Story2009Documentary performer: "Jesus Christ"
Crook & Chase2009TV Series performer - 1 episode
Dolly Parton & Friends: Love Always - Live from Texas2009Video performer: "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink"
The Strangers2008performer: "Mama Tried" / writer: "Mama Tried"
Friday Night Lights2008TV Series writer - 1 episode
Tommy Emmanuel: Center Stage2008TV Movie writer: "Workin' Man Blues"
40th Annual Country Music Association Awards2006TV Special performer: "Okie From Muskogee" / writer: "Okie From Muskogee"
CMT Insider2006TV Series performer - 1 episode
Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days & 30 Nights - Hollywood to the Heartland2006Documentary performer: "Okie from Muskogee", "Mama Tried" / writer: "Okie from Muskogee", "Mama Tried"
Come Early Morning2006performer: "THE WAY I AM", "SILVER WINGS" / writer: "SILVER WINGS"
Brokeback Mountain2005performer: "I'm Always on a Mountain When I Fall" / writer: "I'm Always on a Mountain When I Fall"
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada2005performer: "Workin' Man Blues" 1969 / writer: "Workin' Man Blues" 1969
Rail Kings2005Video performer: "Waitin' For a Train"
The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico2005writer: "Working Man Blues"
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas2004Video Game performer: "Always Wanting You" / writer: "Always Wanting You"
Be Here to Love Me: A Film About Townes Van Zandt2004Documentary performer: "Pancho & Lefty"
Crash2004/Iwriter: "Swinging Doors" 1966
Dolly Parton & Friends on the Country Train2003Video performer: "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink" / writer: "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink"
One Small Leap2002Short performer: "Okie from Muskogee"
Ken Park2002performer: "Mom and Dad's Waltz"
The Slaughter Rule2002writer: "Silver Wings"
County Kilburn2000performer: "Mixed up a mess of Heart" / writer: "Mixed up a mess of Heart"
Rituals and Resolutions1999Short performer: "Blue Christmas"
Wag the Dog1997performer: "Courage Mom" / writer: "Courage Mom"
Full Tilt Boogie1997Documentary writer: "Mama Tried"
Niagara, Niagara1997writer: "I Think I've Found a Way"
Fathers' Day1997performer: "The Bottle Let Me Down" / writer: "The Bottle Let Me Down"
Dolly Parton: Treasures1996TV Movie documentary writer: "Today I Started Loving You Again"
Late Show with David Letterman1996TV Series writer - 1 episode
Ed1996performer: "I Don't Want to Sober Up Tonight" / writer: "I Don't Want to Sober Up Tonight"
Fargo1996performer: "Big City" / writer: "Big City"
The Larry Sanders Show1994TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Turning1992performer: "Make Up And Faded Blue Jeans" / writer: "Make Up And Faded Blue Jeans"
Big Bad John1990performer: "Pancho and Lefty", "Big City" / producer: "Big City" / writer: "Big City"
For All Mankind1989Documentary performer: "Someday We'll Look Back" / writer: "Someday We'll Look Back"
DollyTV Series performer - 1 episode, 1988 writer - 1 episode, 1988
Platoon1986performer: "OKIE FROM MUSKOGEE" / writer: "OKIE FROM MUSKOGEE"
Heartburn1986performer: "Are the Good Times Really Over?" / writer: "Are the Good Times Really Over?"
Knight Rider1984-1986TV Series writer - 2 episodes
China Lake1983Short "You Don't Have Very Far to Go" / performer: "You Don't Have Very Far to Go"
Six Pack1982performer: "Rainbow Stew" / writer: "Rainbow Stew"
The Legend of the Lone Ranger1981performer: "The Man in the Mask"
Honeysuckle Rose1980writer: "Working Man Blues"
Bronco Billy1980performer: "Misery and Gin", "Barroom Buddies"
Saint Jack1979performer: "An Okie from Muskogee", "If We Make It Through December" / writer: "An Okie from Muskogee", "If We Make It Through December"
Mapa zámorských objevu1979TV Movie music: "Bída s nouzí" "I Threw Away the Rose"
Centennial1979TV Mini-Series performer - 1 episode
Convoy1978performer: "Okie from Muskogee" / writer: "Okie from Muskogee"
Pony Express Rider1976performer: "There's a New World Waitin'"
The Waltons1976TV Series performer - 1 episode
Drive-In1976performer: "Today I Started Loving You Again" / writer: "Today I Started Loving You Again"
Dolly1976TV Series writer - 1 episode
Young and Abused1975performer: "Okie from Muskogee" - uncredited / writer: "Okie from Muskogee" - uncredited
Austin City Limits1975TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode
The Ernie Sigley Show1974TV Series writer - 1 episode
Cocksucker Blues1972Documentary performer: "If You've Got Time To Say Goodbye" - uncredited / writer: "If You've Got Time To Say Goodbye" - uncredited
The Ed Sullivan Show1971TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Johnny Cash ShowTV Series writer - 8 episodes, 1969 - 1971 performer - 7 episodes, 1969 - 1971
Chisum1970performer: "Turn Me Around"
The Dean Martin Show1970TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Porter Wagoner Show1970TV Series performer - 1 episode
Hee HawTV Series performer - 1 episode, 1969 writer - 1 episode, 1969
Music Scene1969TV Series performer - 1 episode
From Nashville with Music1969lyrics: "Branded Man", "Today I Started Loving You Again", "Hungry Eyes" / music: "Branded Man", "Today I Started Loving You Again", "Hungry Eyes" / performer: "Branded Man", "Today I Started Loving You Again", "Hungry Eyes"
Mondo Trasho1969performer: "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive"
Killers Three1968performer: "The Ballad From Killers Three Mama Tried", "Killers Three" / writer: "The Ballad From Killers Three Mama Tried", "Killers Three"
New American Bandstand 1965TV Series performer - 1 episode, 1968 writer - 1 episode, 1968
Hillbillys in a Haunted House1967performer: "Someone Told My Story", "Swinging Doors" - uncredited / writer: "Someone Told My Story", "Swinging Doors" - uncredited
Cannonball1958TV Series lyrics: "Cannonball" / music: "Cannonball"
The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show1956TV Series writer - 1 episode

Music Department

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Movin' On1974-1976TV Series composer - 45 episodes

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
My Fool Heart2011post-productionCountry Preacher
On the Outside Looking Inpre-production
Wag the Dog1997Merle Haggard
The All American Cowboy1985TV Movie
The Legend of the Lone Ranger1981Balladeer
Centennial1979TV Mini-SeriesCisco Calendar
The Waltons1976TV SeriesRed Turner
Huckleberry Finn1975TV MovieDuke
Doc Elliot1974TV SeriesOwen Henderson
From Nashville with Music1969Merle Haggard
Killers Three1968Charlie
Hillbillys in a Haunted House1967Merle Haggard - Singer

Miscellaneous

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Johnny Cash: Half Mile a Day2000Video documentary photo provider

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Capitalism: A Love Story2009Documentary special thanks

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The American Hobo2003DocumentaryHimself
Late Show with David Letterman2000-2003TV SeriesHimself
American Roots Music2001TV Series documentaryHimself
Austin City Limits1996-2001TV Series documentaryHimself
Johnny Cash: Half Mile a Day2000Video documentaryHimself
Johnny Cash: The Anthology2000VideoHimself
Merle Haggard: Live in Concert1999Video documentaryHimself
Poet of the Common Man1999Video documentaryHimself
The Best of Merle Haggard1999Video documentaryHimself
Asleep at the Wheel: The Making of 'Ride with Bob'1999TV MovieHimself
Century of Country1999TV Mini-SeriesHimself
Tammy Wynette: First Lady of Country Memorial Service1998TV MovieHimself / Speaker / Performer
Workin' Man: A Tribute to Merle Haggard1998TV SpecialHimself
Dolly Parton: Treasures1996TV Movie documentaryHimself
America's Music: The Roots of Country1996TV Mini-Series documentaryHimself
Lost in Music1995TV Series documentaryHimself
28th Annual Country Music Association Awards1994TV SpecialHimself - Hall-of-Fame Honoree
Hot Country Nights1992TV SeriesHimself
25th Annual Country Music Association Awards1991TV SpecialHimself
The 18th Annual American Music Awards1991TV SpecialHimself
An All Star Salute to Country Music1990TV MovieHimself
The Arsenio Hall Show1989TV SeriesHimself
Hee Haw1969-1989TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Guest / Himself - Co-Host
Cinemax Sessions1988TV SeriesHimself
Dolly1988TV SeriesHimself
The 28th Annual Grammy Awards1986TV SpecialHimself
Elvis: Memories1985Video documentary
The Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team1984TV MovieHimself - Performer
Let Me Tell You About a Song1982TV Movie documentary
Tomorrow Coast to Coast1981TV SeriesHimself
Encore!1980TV SpecialHimself
Bronco Billy1980Himself (uncredited)
Nashville Remembers Elvis on His Birthday1980TV Movie documentaryHimself
50 Years of Country Music1978TV MovieHimself
Jamboree in the Hills1978TV MovieHimself
Donny and Marie1977TV SeriesHimself
The 5th Dimension Traveling Sunshine Show1971TV MovieHimself
The Johnny Cash Show1969-1971TV SeriesHimself - Singer
The Kraft Music Hall1969-1970TV SeriesHimself
The Porter Wagoner Show1970TV SeriesHimself - Guest Performer
Jimmy Durante Presents the Lennon Sisters1969TV SeriesHimself
Della1969TV SeriesHimself
Music Scene1969TV SeriesHimself - Musical Guest
New American Bandstand 19651968TV SeriesHimself - Performer
The Joey Bishop Show1967TV SeriesHimself
The Jimmy Dean Show1965TV SeriesHimself
Death Valley Days1952TV SeriesHimself / Host (1975)
The American Epic Sessions2017DocumentaryHimself
Time Presents: Milestones 2016 - A Tribute to the Stars We've Lost2016TV Movie documentaryHimself
Johnny Cash: American Rebel2015DocumentaryHimself
Country: Portraits of an American Sound2015DocumentaryHimself
The Marty Stuart Show2010-2014TV SeriesHimself - Special Guest / Himself
Billy Mize & the Bakersfield Sound2014Documentary
ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute to the Troops2014TV MovieHimself - Performer
The 56th Annual Grammy Awards2014TV SpecialHimself - Performer (uncredited)
Workin' Man Blues2014TV Movie documentaryHimself
The Big Interview with Dan Rather2013TV SeriesHimself
Musically Medicated2013DocumentaryHimself
From Dust to Dreams: Opening Night at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts2012TV MovieHimself
Hank Cochran: Livin' for a Song2012DocumentaryHimself
Tavis Smiley2011TV SeriesHimself
Blaze Foley: Duct Tape Messiah2011DocumentaryHimself - Songwriter
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno1996-2011TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Musical Guest
The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts2010TV SpecialHimself
Hempsters: Plant the Seed2010DocumentaryHimself
CMT Insider2006-2010TV SeriesHimself
American Masters2007-2010TV Series documentaryHimself
Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison2008DocumentaryHimself
Johnny Cash's America2008DocumentaryHimself
Real Time with Bill Maher2008TV SeriesHimself
Last of the Breed: Live in Concert2007TV MovieHimself
Great Performances2007TV SeriesHimself
Race to the Red Carpet: 2006 Country Music Awards2006TV SpecialHimself (singing voice)
Marty Robbins: Seems Like Yesterday2006DocumentaryHimself
CMT Outlaws 20052005TV SpecialHimself - Performer
Patriotic Country Album Special2005TV MovieHimself
Legends in Bronze Concert2005VideoHimself
CMT: 20 Greatest Country Bands2005TV SpecialHimself
All We Are Saying2005TV Movie documentaryHimself
The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico2005Himself
Celebrating the Man in Black: The Making of 'Walk the Line'2005TV Short documentaryHimself - Musician / Friend
Larry King Live2004TV SeriesHimself
CMT Outlaws2004TV SpecialHimself
Merle Haggard: Ol' Country Singer2004Video documentaryLead Vocals

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The 68th Primetime Emmy Awards2016TV SpecialHimself - In Memoriam
The Big Interview with Dan Rather2014-2016TV SeriesHimself
Entertainment Tonight2016TV SeriesHimself
Rich Hall's California Stars2014TV Movie documentaryHimself
The Joy of Country2011TV MovieHimself
CMT: 40 Greatest Love Songs2011TV MovieHimself
Country's Greatest Stars Live: Vol. 12010VideoHimself
Crook & Chase2009TV SeriesHimself
Dolly Parton & Friends: Love Always - Live from Texas2009VideoHimself - Performer
The Best of the Porter Wagoner Show! Classic Shows: Vol. 32008VideoHimself
40th Annual Country Music Association Awards2006TV SpecialHimself
CMT: The Greatest - 40 Greatest Albums2006TV Movie documentaryHimself
Dolly Parton & Friends on the Country Train2003VideoHimself
Country Legends2001VideoHimself - Performer
Merle Haggard: An American Story1994TV SpecialHimself

Awards

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2005GrammyGrammy AwardsBest Country Collaboration with Vocals
1981Stinker AwardThe Stinkers Bad Movie AwardsWorst Song or Song Performance in a Film or End CreditsThe Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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