John Williams

John Towner Williams KBE (born February 8, 1932) is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. He has composed nearly all of the music heard in the Star Wars films. He has also composed scores for multiple other well-known movies and television shows, including Indiana Jones, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Superman. Williams announced his intention to retire from film score composing after the release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in 2023 to focus more on composing independent orchestral and symphonic pieces, though he later rescinded this.

In September 2022, John Williams and former Disney chief Bob Iger were each made an honorary Knight of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II, with Williams being approved for his services to film music as a composer and conductor in the United Kingdom.

Biography

Williams conducting the London Symphony Orchestra

Williams conducting the London Symphony Orchestra

In 1977, he composed the music for Star Wars, which turned out to be a huge success. Star Wars became the best-selling score-only soundtrack of all time and won him an Oscar.

Williams's son, Joseph Williams, chose a musical career like his father. The two worked together on Return of the Jedi and Attack of the Clones.

Rick McCallum stated at Star Wars Reunion II that he had hoped to have John Williams on the musical score for the Star Wars live-action TV series and added that each episode would have had its own original score.

Williams announced his intention to retire from film score composing after the release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in 2023 to focus more on composing independent orchestral and symphonic pieces, though he later rescinded this.

Academy Awards

Williams (with Jonathan Tunick, winner for Best Score Adaptation-A Little Night Music) holding his Oscar for Best Original Score

Williams (with Jonathan Tunick, winner for Best Score Adaptation-A Little Night Music) holding his Oscar for Best Original Score

Sources

Appearances