John Williams Headshot

John Williams

Date of Death: May 05, 1983 (80)

Birth Place: Chalfont, Buckinghamshire, ENGLAND

Get John Williams Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

John Williams BIO

John Towner Williams (born February 8, 1932) is an American composer and conductor. In a career that has spanned seven decades, he has composed some of the most popular, recognizable and critically acclaimed film scores in cinema history. He has a very distinct sound that mixes romanticism, impressionism and atonal music with complex orchestration. He is most known for his collaborations with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas and has received numerous accolades including 26 Grammy Awards, five Academy Awards, seven BAFTA Awards, three Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. With 54 Academy Award nominations, he is the second-most nominated person, after Walt Disney, and is the oldest Oscar nominee in any category, at 91 years old.



Williams's early work as a film composer include Valley of the Dolls (1967), Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969), Images (1972) and The Long Goodbye (1973). He has collaborated with Spielberg since his 1974 film The Sugarland Express, composing music for all but five of his feature films. He received five Academy Awards for Best Original Score for Fiddler on the Roof (1971), Jaws (1975), Star Wars (1977), E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial (1982), and Schindler's List (1993). Other memorable collaborations with Spielberg include Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), the Indiana Jones franchise (1981–2023), Jurassic Park (1993), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Catch Me If You Can (2002), War Horse (2011), Lincoln (2012), and The Fabelmans (2022). He also scored Superman (1978), the first two Home Alone films (1990–1992), and the first three Harry Potter films (2001–2004).

Williams has also composed numerous classical concertos and other works for orchestral ensembles and solo instruments. He served as the Boston Pops' principal conductor from 1980 to 1993 and is its laureate conductor. Other works by Williams include theme music for the 1984 Summer Olympic Games, NBC Sunday Night Football, "The Mission" theme used by NBC News and Seven News in Australia, the television series Lost in Space and Land of the Giants, and the incidental music for the first season of Gilligan's Island. Williams announced but then rescinded his intention to retire from film score composing after the release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in 2023.

In 2022, Williams was appointed an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) by Queen Elizabeth II, "for services to film music". He has received numerous honors including the Kennedy Center Honor in 2004, the National Medal of the Arts in 2009, and the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2016.[a] He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1998, the Hollywood Bowl's Hall of Fame in 2000, and the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in 2004. He has composed the score for nine of the top 25 highest-grossing films at the U.S. box office. In 2005, the American Film Institute selected Williams's score to Star Wars as the greatest film score of all time. The Library of Congress entered the Star Wars soundtrack into the National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

John Williams Photos

John Williams STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
1970
David Bliss

[Broadway]
1964
Sir Gregory

[Broadway]
1961
General Allenby

[Broadway]
1955
Belmann

[Broadway]
1952
Inspector Hubbard

[Broadway]
1952
Herbert Reedbeck

[Broadway]
1949
Bishop Gregor

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1948
Duke of Norfolk

[Broadway]
1948
Mark Kennicott

[Broadway]
1946
Walter Wallace

[Broadway]
1941
Jerry Seymoure

[Broadway]
1939
Philo Smith

[Broadway]
1939
Cunningham

[Broadway]
1938
Eric Lindon

[Broadway]
1937
Mr. Slope

[Broadway]
1934
Clyde Lockert

[Broadway]
1934
Clyde Lockert

[Broadway]
1933
Sergeant Brace

[Broadway]
1933
John

[Broadway]
1931
Felix

[Broadway]
1930
Richard Chalfont

[Broadway]
1928
Lord of Teylesmore

[Broadway]
1928
Burglar

[Broadway]
1927
Douglas Helder

[Broadway]
1927
James Depew

[Broadway]
1927
Howell Jamess

[Broadway]
1926
Charles Murdock

[Broadway]
1925
Lucien

[Broadway]
1925
Gerald Shannon

[Broadway]
1924
Clifford Hope


John Williams Awards and Nominations


winner
Tony Awards - 1953 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

John Williams, Dial "M" for Murder

John Williams Videos

John Williams News


KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES Soundtrack Available Now


Hollywood Records has released the KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Scored by acclaimed composer John Paesano, the album captures the sound and fury of the all-new action-adventure spectacle of the summer, open now exclusively in theaters worldwide. Fans will be thrilled to hear Paesano’s stunning score, which includes an homage to legendary composer Jerry Goldsmith’s “The Hunt” from the original 1968 film, “Planet of the Apes.” Listen to the soundtrack now!

Chelsea Music Festival Unveils 2024 Composer-in-Residence Ania Vu


Chelsea Music Festival has revealed Ania Vu as its 2024 Composer-in-Residence. Learn more!

Tanglewood Learning Institute Announces 2024 Spotlight Series


Tanglewood has announced additional programs and updates to its 2024 season (June 20–August 31), which celebrate the legacy of Seiji Ozawa and reflect the BSO's commitment as a service organization to advancing the humanities and enriching the lives of Berkshire residents: 

Al Hirschfeld Prints Signed By Cher, Chita Rivera & More to be Auctioned Off


Discover the auction benefitting BC/EFA and The Al Hirschfeld Foundation featuring 20 limited-edition Al Hirschfeld prints, signed by iconic stage and screen stars.

Encompass Opera Presents New Works Inspired By Immigration On June 9


Encompass Opera will present a unique collection of new works inspired by immigration on June 9th.

Encompass New Opera Theatre to Present UNHEARD VOICES: AN IMMIGRANT'S DREAM


Join Encompass New Opera Theatre for Unheard Voices: An Immigrant’s Dream, a multicultural concert featuring premieres by Richard Pearson Thomas and Ángel E. Lasala.

Katie Couric to Appear at The Boston Pops' THE EYES OF THE WORLD: FROM D-DAY TO VE DAY


Award-winning journalist and number one New York Times bestselling author, Katie Couric, will make special appearances at The Eyes of the World: From D-Day to VE Day, with the Boston Pops Orchestra. Learn how to purchase tickets!

PACIFIC SYMPHONY SUMMERFEST 2024 Season Announced At Irvine's New Amphitheater


A new chapter begins for Pacific Symphony and the Orange County community, when the orchestra settles into its brand new summer home at Great Park Live located in the heart of Irvine

Review: KEVIN ON THE KEYS CELEBRATES HOLLYWOOD Entertains at Green Room 42


This reviewer has said it before and shall say it again, Kevin Winebold is a one-man orchestra! His KEVIN ON THE KEYS CELEBRATES HOLLYWOOD show on April 25, 2024 was an entertaining night out featuring masterful piano and tap dance.

Chelsea Music Festival Reveals 15th Season 'Connecting The Dots'


Chelsea Music Festival celebrates its 15th season with a series of concerts and events from June 21-29, 2024. See full programming!

SF Symphony Reveals Summer With The Symphony Season


The San Francisco Symphony has announced programming for its summer season, running July 4–August 4 with concerts at Davies Symphony Hall and outdoor performances at Stanford Live’s Frost Amphitheater, Shoreline Amphitheatre, and Sigmund Stern Grove.  

Photos: Kevin Winebold's KEVIN ON THE KEYS Celebrates Hollywood At The Green Room 42


On April 25, The Green Room 42 presented Kevin Winebold’s “Kevin on the Keys Celebrates Hollywood” at 7pm. See photos from the evening.

The FILMharmonique Orchestra Returns With Music at the Movies This Month


The FILMharmonique Orchestra, under the direction of talented conductor Francis Choinière, will return for the fourth installment of their spectacular concert series Music at the Movies, with a special edition paying tribute to the masterful scores of John Williams.

HBO Documentary FAYE, a Portrait of Faye Dunaway, Will Debut in 2024


In Faye, the first feature documentary of the Hollywood legend, Academy Award®-winning actress Faye Dunaway candidly discusses the triumphs and challenges of her illustrious career. In the 1960s, Dunaway worked on Broadway in several plays including A Man For All Seasons. The film is directed and produced by Laurent Bouzereau, who previously directed Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind.

Choral Artists of Sarasota to Present Memorial Day Concert UNITED WE STAND At the Sarasota Opera House


Choral Artists of Sarasota honors the legacy of US Armed Forces with their inaugural Memorial Day concert, UNITED WE STAND.

Central Florida Community Arts Partners With Florida Citrus Sports For CFCArts Symphony Orchestra's "Call of the Champions"


Central Florida Community Arts partners with Florida Citrus Sports for CFCArts Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming 'Call of the Champions' performances.

Niñas, Niños Y Jóvenes Unen Su Talento En El Concierto De Clausura Del 4° Festival De Música Del Sector Infantil


Experience the grand finale of the 4th Music Festival of the Children's Sector, where talented young artists come together to showcase their musical prowess.

Sarasota Orchestra Reveals 2024-2025 Season Featuring Five Concert Series & More


Sarasota Orchestra has unveiled its 2024-2025 season. Learn more about the season and see how to purchase tickets.

Artis- Naples Announces Call For Entries For 16th Annual Naples International Film Festival


Artis—Naples has announced that the call for entries has begun for the 2024 Naples International Film Festival (NIFF), which is scheduled to take place October 24-27 at the newly established Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Mercato (9118 Strada Pl.).

Kevin Winebold's KEVIN ON THE KEYS Celebrates Hollywood At The Green Room 42


Join Kevin Winebold at The Green Room 42 for Kevin on the Keys Celebrates Hollywood, a cabaret series showcasing his talent as a solo pianist and accompanist. Expect performances of hits from popular Hollywood films, with special guests Michael Judson Berry, Albert Guerzon, and Kimberly Marable.

John Williams FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has John Williams been in?

John Williams has appeared on Broadway in 30 shows.

How many West End shows has John Williams been in?

John Williams has not appeared in the West End

What awards has John Williams been nominated for?

John Williams has been nominated for the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play for his role in "Dial M for Murder".

What awards has John Williams won?

John Williams has won the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play for his role in "Dial M for Murder."

Get John Williams Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos