John Williams

Born: 1932-02-08

John Towner Williams (born February 8, 1932) is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. Widely regarded as one of the greatest American composers of all time, he has composed some of the most popular, recognizable, and critically acclaimed film scores in cinematic history in a career spanning over six decades. Williams has won 24 Grammy Awards, seven British Academy Film Awards, five Academy Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. With 51 Academy Award nominations, he is the second most-nominated individual, after Walt Disney. In 2005, the American Film Institute selected Williams's score to 1977's Star Wars as the greatest American film score of all time. The soundtrack to Star Wars was additionally preserved by the Library of Congress into the National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". Williams has composed for many critically acclaimed and popular movies, including the Star Wars series, Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Superman, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, the Indiana Jones series, the first two Home Alone films, Hook, the first two Jurassic Park films, Schindler's List, and the first three Harry Potter films. He has been associated with director Steven Spielberg since 1974, composing music for all but four of his feature films––Duel, The Color Purple, Bridge of Spies and Ready Player One. 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 has also composed numerous classical concertos and other works for orchestral ensembles and solo instruments. He served as the Boston Pops's principal conductor from 1980 to 1993, and is its laureate conductor. He was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl's Hall of Fame in 2000, and was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in 2004 and the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2016. Williams composed the score for eight of the top 20 highest-grossing films at the U.S. box office (adjusted for inflation).


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as Oma Tres
Released: 2019-12-18

The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once again as the journey of Rey, Finn and Poe...

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Music by John Williams

as Self - Composer
Released: 2024-11-01

His unforgettable scores are an essential part of some of the most beloved movies of our time,...

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Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2019-10-25

The history of cinematic sound, told by legendary sound designers and visionary filmmakers.

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Ennio

as Self
Released: 2022-02-17

A portrait of Ennio Morricone, the most popular and prolific film composer of the 20th century,...

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Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy

as Self
Released: 2004-09-12

From the earliest versions of the script to the blockbuster debuts, explore the creation of the...

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Score: A Film Music Documentary

as Self
Released: 2017-03-16

Music is an integral part of most films, adding emotion and nuance while often remaining...

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The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story

as Self
Released: 2009-04-24

The troubled fraternal relationship between songwriters Robert B. Sherman and Richard M....

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Return to Jurassic Park

as Self
Released: 2011-02-05

A multi-part documentary about the making of the Jurassic Park trilogy. Each part walks through...

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The Shark Is Still Working: The Impact & Legacy of "Jaws"

as Self
Released: 2009-05-02

After three decades, Jaws continues to intrigue, thrill and frighten viewers. This documentary...

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The Making of 'Jaws'

as Self
Released: 1995-11-28

A documentary on the making of one of the greatest films ever made, filled with trivia,...

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Spielberg

as Self
Released: 2017-10-05

A documentary on the life and career of one of the most influential film directors of all time,...

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Timeless Heroes: Indiana Jones & Harrison Ford

as Self
Released: 2023-12-01

An in-depth look at an incredible moment in film history when Steven Spielberg and George Lucas...

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The Making of '1941'

as Himself
Released: 1996-05-28

A non-narrated documentary, told mainly in interviews with the filmmakers, on the making of the...

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The Skywalker Legacy

as Self
Released: 2020-03-18

The story lives forever in this feature-length documentary that charts the making of Star Wars:...

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You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman

as Self
Released: 2006-11-28

A 5-part documentary of the history of Superman in the movies. • Origin - Superman in the media...

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John Williams in Tokyo

as Himself
Released: 2024-05-03

30 years after his last visit to Japan, John Williams has returned for a special concert –...

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The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball

as Self
Released: 1989-01-01

After the criticisms of the 1987 show’s disproportionate focus on music - and the financial...

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Catch Me If You Can: Behind the Camera

as Self
Released: 2003-05-06

A behind-the-scenes look at the making of Stephen Spielberg's "Catch Me If You Can."

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The Making of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

as Self
Released: 2023-08-29

Join the adventure with the cast and crew, showcasing new characters, stunts, music, locations,...

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The Stories of West Side Story

as Self
Released: 2022-03-02

Rejoice in the astonishing all-new footage of Spielberg at work in documentary filmmaker Laurent...

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Star Wars: The Magic & the Mystery

as Self
Released: 1997-02-06

Host Howie Long takes viewers on a tour of the "Star Wars" universe, as Fox TV celebrates the...

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The 'E.T.' Journals

as Self
Released: 2012-10-09

The following documentary is composed exclusively of original behind-the-scenes footage shot...

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Deconstructing Dad: The Music, Machines and Mystery of Raymond Scott

as Himself
Released: 2010-09-17

His filmmaker son probes the professional and private lives of his remote but fascinating...

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The Making of 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'

as Self
Released: 1996-10-01

A behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of Steven Spielberg's 1982 film "E.T. the...

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From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga

as Self
Released: 1983-12-03

From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga is a 1983 television documentary special that...

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If These Walls Could Sing

as Self
Released: 2022-09-03

The untold story of the Abbey Road studio, all-star interviews and intimate access to the premises.

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John Williams: The Seventh Symphony

as uncredited
Released: 2016-01-02

A discussion of Williams' iconic work and new material for The Force Awakens.

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John Williams: Live in Vienna

as Self - Conductor
Released: 2020-06-01

DG presents John Williams in Vienna, the live recordings of the Hollywood legend's Vienna...

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The Beginning: Making Episode I

as Self
Released: 2001-10-16

The entire process of making Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) is shown here in...

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Fiddler's Journey to the Big Screen

as self
Released: 2022-04-29

The fall of 2021 marked the 50th anniversary of Fiddler on the Roof, the film Pauline Kael (The...

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A John Williams Celebration

as Self
Released: 2015-06-30

For the 2014/15 Opening Night Concert and Gala, the Los Angeles Philharmonic paid loving tribute...

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John Williams & Berliner Philharmonic - The Berlin Concert

as Himself
Released: 2022-02-04

John Williams has made cinematic history with his film scores and transported entire generations...

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Star Wars: Within a Minute - The Making of Episode III

as Self
Released: 2005-11-01

This documentary offers a glimpse into all the people, departments, and work that went into...

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A World Without Beethoven?

as Self
Released: 2020-09-15

"What would the world be like without Beethoven?" That’s the provocative question posed by this...

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The Fabelmans: A Family in Film

as Self
Released: 2023-02-14

A fascinating behind-the-scenes special about Steven Spielberg's "The Fabelmans."

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The Music of E.T.: A Discussion with John Williams

as Self
Released: 2002-01-01

John Williams discusses the music of "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial."

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A Conversation with the Masters: The Empire Strikes Back 30 Years Later

as Self
Released: 2011-09-16

George Lucas, Irvin Kershner, Lawrence Kasdan and John Williams look back at The Empire Strikes...

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John Williams Live - Music from the Movies

as uncredited
Released: 2021-12-25

The finest film themes and scores from the Berliner Philharmonie. Expect Jaws, Superman and Star...

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No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos

as Self
Released: 2009-01-11

The artistry, triumph and lifelong friendship of the great cinematographers Laszlo Kovacs and...

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The Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'

as Self
Released: 2001-05-08

A documentary film on the making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'

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Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me

as Self / Performer
Released: 2009-11-04

Commemorating the centennial of Mercer's birth, this documentary is part biography, part...

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Jaws: The Inside Story

as Self
Released: 2010-06-16

Steven Spielberg takes us behind the cameras for the making of a classic movie.

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Anne-Sophie Mutter - Vivace

as Self
Released: 2023-03-28

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Star Wars: Music by John Williams

as Self
Released: 1980-05-18

BBC documentary. Witness John Williams composing the legendary score for The Empire Strikes Back...

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Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?

as Self
Released: 2004-12-09

The Secret Policeman benefit shows for Amnesty International brought together comedy grand...

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Star Wars: A Musical Journey

as uncredited
Released: 2005-05-03

Star Wars: In Concert, originally called Star Wars: A Musical Journey, was a worldwide series of...

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Making 'Superman': Filming the Legend

as Self
Released: 2001-01-01

Documentary on the making of the 1978 film 'Superman.'

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When Star Wars Ruled the World

as Self
Released: 2004-09-18

A VH1 television special wherein the cast discuss the making of the films and what made the...

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Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - Adventure Awaits

as Self
Released: 2019-09-29

An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the new lands at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and...

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Music

as Self
Released: 2010-10-15

The story of music and the music industry told through interviews with musicians, composers and...

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Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer

as Self
Released: 2006-01-23

"Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer" is a feature-length documentary. In this entertaining look...

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The Making of The Empire Strikes Back

as Self
Released: 1980-09-22

Even the most devout Star Wars fan might not know that filmmaker and journalist Michel Parbot...

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Plotting 'Family Plot'

as Self
Released: 2001-03-06

Documentary about the making of Alfred Hitchcock's "Family Plot".

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The Revamping of Dracula

as Self
Released: 2004-10-19

A behind-the-scenes look at the making of "Dracula" (1979).

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Disney Legends Awards Ceremony

as Self
Released: 2024-08-12

Since 1987, the Disney Legends Awards program has honored individuals for the significant impact...

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The Making of 'The Lost World'

as Self
Released: 1997-05-08

Behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of director Steven Spielberg's 1997 film "The...

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The Music of 'Indiana Jones'

as Self
Released: 2003-10-21

In this 2003 featurette, John Williams recalls composing the music for the first three Indiana...

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Lincoln: An American Journey

as Self
Released: 2013-01-16

Documentary on the making of Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" (2012).

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John Williams at the BBC

as self
Released: 2016-03-18

Fifty years of performances from guitarist John Williams that takes in classical masterworks,...

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Leonard Bernstein Centennial Celebration at Tanglewood

as Self - Conductor
Released: 2018-12-28

In honor of Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday, Tanglewood—the famed summer home of the Boston...

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AFI's Master Class - The Art of Collaboration: Steven Spielberg and John Williams

as uncredited
Released: 2011-11-07

Filmmaker Steven Spielberg and composer John Williams sit down to discuss their four-decade...

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Taking Flight: The Development of 'Superman'

as Self
Released: 2001-05-01

Marc McClure presents a documentary on the making of 'Superman' (1978).

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The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

as uncredited
First aired: 2015-09-08

Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,...

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60 Minutes

as Self
First aired: 1968-09-24

America's popular television News magazine in which an ever changing team of CBS News...

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The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

as uncredited
First aired: 1992-05-25

Jay Leno hosts some of the biggest celebrities in the world.

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The Kennedy Center Honors

as Self
First aired: 1978-12-28

The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual honor given to those in the performing arts for their...

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The Oscars

as Self
First aired: 1953-03-19

An annual American awards ceremony honoring cinematic achievements in the film industry. The...

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Playhouse 90

as Self (Pianist)
First aired: 1956-10-04

Playhouse 90 is an American television anthology series that was telecast on CBS from 1956 to...

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Disney Gallery / Star Wars: The Mandalorian

as Self - Composer (archive footage)
First aired: 2020-05-04

Executive producer Jon Favreau invites the cast and crew of The Mandalorian to share an...

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The American Film Institute Salute to ...

as Self
First aired: 1973-04-02

In 1973 the American Film Institute initiated its Life Achievement Award, to be presented to a...

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Previn and the Pittsburgh

as Self
First aired: 1977-02-27

Renowned composer, conductor, and pianist Andre Previn welcomes one or more musical guests for...

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