John Williams

Date of Death: May 05, 1983 (80)

Birth Place: Chalfont, Buckinghamshire, ENGLAND

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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 Williams announced but then rescinded his intention to retire from film score composing after the release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in 2023.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


LACO to Honor Music Talent Agents Michael Gorfaine and Sam Schwartz, and Philanthropists Shaheen and Anil Nanji

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra will host its “2024 Gala Celebration” honoring legendary music talent agents Michael Gorfaine and Sam Schwartz, co-founders of Gorfaine/Schwartz, on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the Skirball Cultural Center’s Ahmanson Ballroom.

STAR WARS - RETURN OF THE JEDI IN CONCERT Will Be Performed by the New Jersey Symphony

The New Jersey Symphony will present Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert with composer John Williams' venerated score performed live to the film. Conductor Nicholas Hersh will lead New Jersey Symphony in all four performances.

Symphony San Jose Announces 2024 / 2025 Season

Discover the upcoming 2024/2025 season of SYMPHONY SAN JOSE, featuring a diverse range of performances from October 2024 through June 2025.

Review: MOVIE MUSIC at The Blue Strawberry Showroom And Lounge

MOVIE MUSIC is an entertaining and sometimes emotional walk down memory lane by three skilled theatrical professionals who know a bit about storytelling. Midnight Company’s Joe Hanrahan has created a formula with his theatrical cabaret productions that continues to fill seats at The Blue Strawberry. Eileen Engel, glistened with confidence, charm, and stage presence as she sang most of the evening’s selections. Colin Healy has exceptional talent on the keys and a gift of theatrical intuition for using music to build anticipation and advance the story.

Review: THE BOY WITH THE GOLDEN FOX �" ADELAIDE FRINGE 2024 at Norwood Town Hall, Don Pyatt Hall

A tale with a genealogy stretching back to the dawn of storytelling.

Cynthia Erivo & More to be Featured in New York Philharmonic 2024-25 Season

The New York Philharmonic has revealed its 2024–25 season. Learn more about the season!

Kalamazoo Symphony Will Perform World Premiere Of New Work By Branford Marsalis

The conclusion of three-time GRAMMY award-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis' three-year residency with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra will culminate in the world premiere of 'Kalamazoo Suite,' a work written by Marsalis and commissioned by the Symphony.

Nashville Symphony Announces 2024/25 Season

Featuring more than 100 performances covering a range of genres and styles, the Nashville Symphony has announced its 2024/25 season.

World Premiere, DC Premieres & More Set for National Symphony Orchestra 2024-25 Season

The National Symphony Orchestra has unveiled its 2024–2025 season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

LA Philharmonic to Tour FIDELIO with Deaf West Theatre to London, Paris & More

The LA Philharmonic and Deaf West Theatre will tour their production of Fidelio to the UK and more! Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

Houston Symphony Reveals 24-25 Season Featuring Jessica Vosk, Pink Martini & More

The Houston Symphony has revealed its 2024−25 Season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Los Angeles Philharmonic Unveils 2024-25 Season Featuring Leslie Odom, Jr., Itzhak Perlman & More

Los Angeles Philharmonic has revealed details of the 2024/25 season at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Learn more about the season and see how to purchase tickets.

New Jersey Symphony Announces Its 2024-25 Season

NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY, led by Music Director Xian Zhang, has announced its upcoming 2024-25 season.

The Studio Orchestra Performs STAR WARS Music on May the 4th

The Studio Orchestra will return to Cheltenham on International Star Wars Day to celebrate the iconic music of Star Wars. For one night only, the acclaimed orchestra will perform at The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse, Saturday 4th May in a special concert like no other.

Review: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF IN CONCERT Breathes Life into an Old Favorite at Heinz Hall

The rediscovered orchestrations of John Williams make a beloved musical just that much better. If you were a movie or musical fan during the VHS era, you likely remember Fiddler on the Roof as one of those unwieldy three-hour films that require two different cassette tapes to watch in full, like Titanic.

Review: Carnegie Hall Brings Audience to Its Feet with AN EVENING WITH JOHN WILLIAMS AND YO-YO MA

This reviewer was overwhelmed by the memories from and enjoyment of these renowned works of the genius that is John Williams.

Toronto Symphony Orchestra Unveils 2024/25 Season Featuring New Works, Guest Artists & More

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra has revealed the details of its 2024/25 concert season. Learn about its programming and see how to purchase tickets.

Symphony San Jose Will Perform E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL Next Month

Symphony San Jose presents  E.T.  The Extra-Terrestrial next month. Performances are on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 7:30pm and Sunday, March 10 at 2:30pm at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.

South Bend Symphony Unveils 2024-25 Season Featuring Mozart, HARRY POTTER & More

The South Bend Symphony Orchestra has revealed the 2024-25 Season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

The Cleveland Orchestra Announces 2024 Blossom Music Festival Lineup Featuring Leslie Odom, Jr. and More

Learn more about the lineup of classical favorites and star-studded pops concerts for the 2024 Blossom Music Festival by The Cleveland Orchestra here!

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."

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