John Williams (1932

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Biography

John Towner Williams is an American composer and conductor. Over his seven-decade career, he has composed many of the best known scores in film history. His compositional style blends romanticism, impressionism, and atonal music with complex orchestration. Best known for his collaborations with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, he has received numerous accolades, including 27 Grammy Awards, five Academy Awards, seven BAFTA Awards, three Emmy Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. With a total of 54 Academy Award nominations, he is the second-most nominated person in the award's history, after Walt Disney. He is also the oldest Academy Award nominee in any category, receiving a nomination at 91 years old.

Timeline

The story of John Williams, told in moments.

Legacy

Five Academy Awards. 53 nominations. Every Spielberg film from 1974 onward. His music is played at the Olympics, at graduations, at funerals. Most people can hum at least three of his themes without knowing his name.

Most people hum your themes without knowing your name. Does anonymity bother you? Music at Olympics, graduations, funerals. Is ubiquity the highest compliment?

1958 Life

Worked as a studio pianist in Hollywood. Played on soundtracks for dozens of films, including some Henry Mancini scores and episodes of Gilligan's Island. He was 26 and anonymous.

Anonymous studio pianist at twenty-six. Were you patient or frustrated? Playing on Gilligan's Island soundtracks. Was that humbling?

1971 Event

Scored Fiddler on the Roof and won his first Academy Award. Steven Spielberg, then a 24-year-old TV director, took notice.

Your first Oscar for Fiddler on the Roof. Did Spielberg noticing change everything? Did you sense the partnership would define both careers?

1975 Event

Composed the score for Jaws. Those two alternating notes became the most recognizable thriller motif in cinema. The film made $470 million. Williams won his second Oscar.

Two alternating notes for Jaws. Did simplicity feel like a risk? The most recognizable thriller motif in cinema. From just two notes?

1977 Event

Star Wars. The score used a full symphony orchestra when synthesizers were the fashion. The main theme, the Imperial March, Leia's theme. Williams made George Lucas's space opera feel like mythology.

A full symphony when synths were fashionable. Was that a statement? The Imperial March, Leia's theme. Did Star Wars demand mythology?

1980 Event

Became conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, succeeding Arthur Fiedler. Held the post for 13 seasons while continuing to score films. Indiana Jones, E.T., Superman. He barely slept.

Conducting the Boston Pops while scoring Indiana Jones and E.T. Did you sleep? Succeeding Arthur Fiedler. Was that an honor or a burden?

2001 Event

Composed the first three Harry Potter film scores. With 52 Oscar nominations by this point, second only to Walt Disney. Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, Jurassic Park. All his.

53 Oscar nominations, second only to Walt Disney. Do numbers matter? Schindler's List, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter. Which score surprised you most?

Artifacts (2)

John Williams Proudfit

Auguste Edouart

1843 · Ink wash, chalk and cut paper on paper

Smithsonian View

The Closet

John Williams|Anonymous, British, 18th century

January 28, 1778 · Etching and aquatint

The Met View

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