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John Williams

What's After the Movie

John Williams

John Towner Williams, born on February 8, 1932, is a highly acclaimed American composer and conductor. Boasting a career that has spanned over seven decades, he has composed some of the most recognisable and critically acclaimed film scores in cinematic history. His unique sound that blends romanticism, impressionism with complex orchestration has become iconic for his collaborations with directors such as Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Williams has gathered numerous accolades, which include 26 Grammy Awards, five Academy Awards, seven BAFTA Awards, three Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. As it stands, with 54 Academy Award nominations to his name, he is the second-most nominated person after Walt Disney, and at the age of 92, he is the oldest Oscar nominee in any category.

His early commissioned films include Valley of the Dolls (1967), Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969), and Images and The Cowboys (1972). He also scored Spielberg's The Sugarland Express (1974). He received five Academy Awards for The Fiddler on the Roof (1971), Jaws (1975), E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Schindler's List and Star Wars. Williams has also composed multiple classical concertos and works for orchestral ensembles and solo instruments. He retained the position of the Boston Pops' principal conductor from 1980 to 1993. Williams eventually announced, but later rescinded, his intention to retire from film score composition after releasing Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in 2023.

90 movies
39 nominations

Explore the best of John Williams – top movies, iconic roles, and must-see performances!

Biography, Career & Filmography

Learn more about John Williams, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how John Williams rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.


Given Name: John Towner Williams

Born: New York City, U.S.

Citizenship: United States of America

Birthday: February 8, 1932

Occupations: Composer, Conductor, Pianist

Years Active: 1952-present

Children: 3

Spouses: Barbara Ruick, Samantha Winslow

Awards and Nominations Received by John Williams

Explore awards

Explore the awards, honors, and nominations John Williams has earned across their acting career. From prestigious wins to critical acclaim, see how their talent has been recognized by the film industry and major award bodies.


51st Saturn Awards 2024

28th Critics' Choice Awards 2023

Nomination

Best Score

The Fabelmans

80th Golden Globe Awards 2023

Nomination

Best Original Score

The Fabelmans

75th Golden Globe Awards 2018

Nomination

Best Original Score

The Post

71st Golden Globe Awards 2014

Nomination

Best Original Score

The Book Thief

18th Critics' Choice Awards 2013

Win

Best Score

Lincoln

17th Critics' Choice Awards 2012

Nomination

Best Score

War Horse

69th Golden Globe Awards 2012

Nomination

Best Original Score

War Horse

11th Critics' Choice Awards 2006

Win

Best Composer

Memoirs of a Geisha

63rd Golden Globe Awards 2006

Nomination

Best Original Score – Motion Picture

Memoirs of a Geisha

77th Academy Awards 2005

Nomination

Music (Original Score)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

31st Saturn Awards 2005

29th Saturn Awards 2003

Nomination

Best Music

Minority Report

7th Critics' Choice Awards 2002

Nomination

Best Composer

A.I. Artificial Intelligence

28th Saturn Awards 2002

73rd Academy Awards 2001

Nomination

Music (Original Score)

The Patriot

58th Golden Globe Awards 2001

Nomination

Best Original Score – Motion Picture

A.I. Artificial Intelligence

57th Golden Globe Awards 2000

Nomination

Best Original Score – Motion Picture

Angela's Ashes

52nd British Academy Film Awards 1999

Nomination

Best Original Music

Saving Private Ryan

4th Critics' Choice Movie Awards 1999

Win

Best Score

Saving Private Ryan

47th British Academy Film Awards 1994

Win

Best Original Music

Schindler's List

51st Golden Globe Awards 1994

Nomination

Best Original Score

Schindler's List

47th Golden Globe Awards 1990

Nomination

Best Music, Original Score

Born on the Fourth of July

46th Golden Globe Awards 1989

Nomination

Best Original Score

The Accidental Tourist

45th Golden Globe Awards 1988

Nomination

Best Original Score

Empire of the Sun

42nd Golden Globe Awards 1985

Nomination

Best Original Score

River's Edge

40th Golden Globe Awards 1983

Nomination

Best Original Score

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

The 54th Academy Awards 1982

Nomination

Music (Original Score)

Raiders of the Lost Ark

35th British Academy Film Awards 1982

Nomination

Best Original Music

Raiders of the Lost Ark

9th Saturn Awards 1982

The 53rd Academy Awards 1981

Nomination

Music (Original Score)

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

38th Golden Globe Awards 1981

8th Saturn Awards 1981

36th Golden Globe Awards 1979

Nomination

Best Original Score

Superman II

47th Academy Awards 1975

Nomination

Music (Original Dramatic Score)

The Towering Inferno

32nd Golden Globe Awards 1975

Nomination

Best Original Score

Earthquake

30th Golden Globe Awards 1973

Nomination

Best Original Score

The Poseidon Adventure

Movies Featuring John Williams

Witness for the Prosecution

Witness for the Prosecution

Fiddler's Journey to the Big Screen

Fiddler's Journey to the Big Screen

Score: A Film Music Documentary

Score: A Film Music Documentary

Dial M for Murder

Dial M for Murder

To Catch a Thief

To Catch a Thief

If These Walls Could Sing

If These Walls Could Sing

Midnight Lace

Midnight Lace

Ennio

Ennio

Music by John Williams

Music by John Williams

Assepoester: Een Modern Sprookje

Assepoester: Een Modern Sprookje

Jaws: The Inside Story

Jaws: The Inside Story

Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 4: Sound and Music

Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 4: Sound and Music

Tears of Joy

Tears of Joy

Return to Jurassic Park

Return to Jurassic Park

On Set With Raiders Of The Lost Ark

On Set With Raiders Of The Lost Ark

The ‘E.T.’ Journals

The ‘E.T.’ Journals

Kung-Fu and Titties

Kung-Fu and Titties

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

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

The Beat Beneath My Feet

The Beat Beneath My Feet

A John Williams Celebration

A John Williams Celebration

Crispy’s Curse

Crispy’s Curse

Spielberg

Spielberg

Make Us Dream

Make Us Dream

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge - Adventure Awaits

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge - Adventure Awaits

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Plotting ‘Family Plot’

Plotting ‘Family Plot’

Taking Flight: The Development of ‘Superman’

Taking Flight: The Development of ‘Superman’

Making ‘Superman’: Filming the Legend

Making ‘Superman’: Filming the Legend

The Making of ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’

The Making of ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’

Firefly Dreams

Firefly Dreams

Catch Me If You Can: Behind the Camera

Catch Me If You Can: Behind the Camera

Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy

Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy

Remember the Secret Policeman’s Ball?

Remember the Secret Policeman’s Ball?

Star Wars: A Musical Journey

Star Wars: A Musical Journey

Starfish Hotel

Starfish Hotel

You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman

You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman

The Beginning: Making Episode I

The Beginning: Making Episode I

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

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

Hibernation

Hibernation

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

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

Star Wars: Music by John Williams

Star Wars: Music by John Williams

The Making of The Empire Strikes Back

The Making of The Empire Strikes Back

From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga

From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga

The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball

The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball

The BRITs at 40

The BRITs at 40

Number One

Number One

The Skywalker Legacy

The Skywalker Legacy

John Williams: Live in Vienna

John Williams: Live in Vienna

John Williams & the Berlin Philharmonic - The Berlin Concert

John Williams & the Berlin Philharmonic - The Berlin Concert

The Fabelmans: A Family in Film

The Fabelmans: A Family in Film

The Making of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

The Making of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

A World Without Beethoven?

A World Without Beethoven?

The Stories of West Side Story

The Stories of West Side Story

Number One

Number One

The Skywalker Legacy

The Skywalker Legacy

John Williams - Live in Vienna

John Williams - Live in Vienna

24 Hours in a Woman’s Life

24 Hours in a Woman’s Life

The Next of Kin

The Next of Kin

Double Trouble

Double Trouble

Dear Brigitte

Dear Brigitte

A Woman’s Vengeance

A Woman’s Vengeance

Kind Lady

Kind Lady

The Hound of the Baskervilles

The Hound of the Baskervilles

Visit to a Small Planet

Visit to a Small Planet

Emil and the Detectives

Emil and the Detectives

The Goose Steps Out

The Goose Steps Out

Hot Lead & Cold Feet

Hot Lead & Cold Feet

The Making of ‘1941’

The Making of ‘1941’

Lost in the Stars

Lost in the Stars

Thunder in the East

Thunder in the East

In the Teeth of Jaws

In the Teeth of Jaws

The Making of ‘The Lost World’

The Making of ‘The Lost World’

Island in the Sun

Island in the Sun

Harlow

Harlow

No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos

No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos

The Student Prince

The Student Prince

The Last of the Secret Agents?

The Last of the Secret Agents?

D-Day the Sixth of June

D-Day the Sixth of June

The Making of ‘Jaws’

The Making of ‘Jaws’

Libido

Libido

No Deposit, No Return

No Deposit, No Return

Timeless Heroes: Indiana Jones & Harrison Ford

Timeless Heroes: Indiana Jones & Harrison Ford

A Flea in Her Ear

A Flea in Her Ear

The Solid Gold Cadillac

The Solid Gold Cadillac

Drinkin Time

Drinkin Time

The Young Philadelphians

The Young Philadelphians

Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story

Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story

The Making of ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’

The Making of ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’

John Williams: A Legacy In Sound

John Williams: A Legacy In Sound

Johnny Mercer: The Dream’s on Me

Johnny Mercer: The Dream’s on Me

Career Timeline

Track the complete movie timeline of John Williams, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.


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