John Williams
Sound Born Feb 8, 1932 Queens, New York City, New York, USA 276 credits
Biography
John Williams is an American composer and conductor born on February 8, 1932, in Queens, New York City, New York, USA. He is known for his collaborations with notable figures in the film industry. Williams has composed film scores that are widely recognized and critically acclaimed. He is also a conductor with a distinct sound that blends romanticism, impressionism, and atonal music with complex orchestration. Williams has received numerous accolades, including 26 Grammy Awards, five Academy Awards, seven BAFTA Awards, three Emmy Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. He is the second-most nominated person for an Academy Award, with 54 nominations.
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Career overview
John Williams is an American composer and conductor. He has composed film scores in cinema history, with a distinct sound that mixes romanticism, impressionism, and atonal music with complex orchestration. Williams is known for his collaborations with notable figures in the film industry.
Throughout his career, spanning seven decades, Williams has accumulated numerous accolades. He has received recognition for his work, including 26 Grammy Awards, five Academy Awards, seven BAFTA Awards, three Emmy Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. Williams' extensive contributions to the film industry have led to him being the second-most nominated person for an Academy Award, with 54 nominations.
Williams' known credits total 251, indicating a prolific career in the field of sound. His work has been recognized and celebrated by the film industry and beyond.
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Frequent co-stars
Noémie Lvovsky
13 shared titles
Jutta Speidel
12 shared titles
Calista Flockhart
8 shared titles
Andrea L'Arronge
7 shared titles
Brie Garcia
5 shared titles
Franz Buchrieser
5 shared titles
Nikki Garcia
4 shared titles
Michael Schanze
3 shared titles
Jochen Busse
3 shared titles
Hansi Kraus
3 shared titles
Career timeline
Disclosure Day · Original Music ComposerStar Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord · Music
Jurassic World Rebirth · MusicSuperman · MusicJaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside StoryOSN: Musiche dall'America con Gianna Fratta e Alessandro Taverna · Original Music ComposerThe Cinema of John Williams (Indiana Jones, E.T., Star Wars and more) · Original Music Composer
Jurassic World: Chaos Theory · Main Title Theme ComposerLEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy · MusicJohn Williams: A Legacy In SoundMusic by John WilliamsMusic by John Williams · Music
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny · Original Music ComposerIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny · OrchestratorIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny · ConductorEastwood Symphonic · MusicTimeless Heroes: Indiana Jones and Harrison Ford
Jurassic World Dominion · Main Title Theme ComposerObi-Wan Kenobi · Main Title Theme ComposerEnnioThe Fabelmans · Original Music ComposerStar Wars: Tales of the Jedi · Music
The Book of Boba Fett · MusicStar Wars: The Bad Batch · MusicFor the Empire · MusicJohn Williams: The Berlin ConcertJohn Williams Live - Music from the Movies
Disney Gallery / Star Wars: The MandalorianThe Skywalker LegacyLEGO Star Wars Holiday Special · MusicA World Without Beethoven?John Williams: Live in Vienna
Star Wars: The Rise of SkywalkerStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker · Original Music ComposerBattle at Big Rock · Main Title Theme ComposerMaking Waves: The Art of Cinematic SoundStar Wars: Galaxy's Edge - Adventure Awaits
Leonard Bernstein Centennial Celebration at Tanglewood
Star Wars: The Last Jedi · Original Music ComposerThe Post · Original Music ComposerSpielbergScore: A Film Music DocumentaryDear Basketball · Music
The BFG · Original Music ComposerHoshino · Original Music ComposerJohn Williams at the BBCJohn Williams: The Seventh Symphony
The Late Show with Stephen ColbertStar Wars: The Force Awakens · Original Music ComposerA John Williams Celebration
The Book Thief · Original Music ComposerLincoln: An American JourneyTanglewood 75th Anniversary Celebration
Lincoln · Original Music ComposerStar Wars: The Clone Wars - Darth Maul Returns · Theme Song PerformanceThe 'E.T.' Journals
The Adventures of Tintin · Original Music ComposerWar Horse · Original Music ComposerReturn to Jurassic ParkLEGO Star Wars: The Padawan Menace · Original Music ComposerAFI's Master Class - The Art of Collaboration: Steven Spielberg and John Williams
Jaws: The Inside StoryMusicLEGO Star Wars: Bombad Bounty · Main Title Theme ComposerDeconstructing Dad: The Music, Machines and Mystery of Raymond Scott
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' StoryThe Shark Is Still WorkingNo Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & VilmosJohnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull · Original Music ComposerLego Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Brick · MusicA Timeless Call · Music
Love Will Tear Us Apart
An Inconvenient Truth · ThanksSuperman II: The Richard Donner Cut · Original Music ComposerPäronet och bajskorven · MusicFrankie Laine: An American DreamerYou Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman
War of the Worlds · Original Music ComposerWar of the Worlds · ConductorStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith · Original Music ComposerMemoirs of a Geisha · Original Music ComposerMunich · Original Music Composer
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban · Original Music ComposerThe Terminal · Original Music ComposerEmpire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars TrilogyRemember the Secret Policeman's Ball?When Star Wars Ruled the World
Building a SceneCatch Me If You Can: Behind the CameraThe Music of 'Indiana Jones'
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets · Original Music ComposerCatch Me If You Can · Original Music ComposerMinority Report · Original Music ComposerStar Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones · Original Music ComposerThe Music of E.T.: A Discussion with John Williams
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone · Original Music ComposerA.I. Artificial Intelligence · Original Music ComposerPlotting 'Family Plot'The Beginning: The Making of Star Wars Episode IThe Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'
The Patriot · Original Music Composer
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace · Original Music ComposerAngela's Ashes · Original Music ComposerThe Unfinished Journey · Original Music Composer
Saving Private Ryan · Original Music ComposerSaving Private Ryan · ConductorStepmom · Original Music Composer
Seven Years in Tibet · Original Music ComposerThe Making of 'The Lost World'In the Teeth of JawsStar Wars: The Magic & the MysteryRosewood · Original Music Composer
Sleepers · Original Music ComposerThe Making of '1941'The Making of 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'Atlanta 1996: Games of the XXVI Olympiad - Opening Ceremony · Conductor
Full Filmography
276 titles- Disclosure Day (2026) Original Music Composer
- Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord (2026) Music
- Jurassic World Rebirth (2025) Music
- Superman (2025) Music
- Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story (2025) as Self
- OSN: Musiche dall'America con Gianna Fratta e Alessandro Taverna (2025) Original Music Composer
- The Cinema of John Williams (Indiana Jones, E.T., Star Wars and more) (2025) Original Music Composer
- Jurassic World: Chaos Theory (2024) Main Title Theme Composer
- LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy (2024) Music
- John Williams: A Legacy In Sound (2024) as Self
- Music by John Williams (2024) as Self - Composer
- Music by John Williams (2024) Music
- Disney Legends Awards Ceremony (2024) as Self
- Henry Mancini: 100 at the Hollywood Bowl (2024) as Self
- Jonas Kaufmann: The Sound of Movies (2024) Compositor
- John Williams in Tokyo (2024) as Self
- Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) Original Music Composer
- Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) Orchestrator
- Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) Conductor
- Eastwood Symphonic (2023) Music
- Timeless Heroes: Indiana Jones and Harrison Ford (2023) as Self
- jeat? (2023) Music
- Anne-Sophie Mutter - Vivace (2023) as Self
- The Making of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) as Self
- The Fabelmans: A Family in Film (2023) as Self
- Jurassic World Dominion (2022) Main Title Theme Composer
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) Main Title Theme Composer
- Ennio (2022) as Self
- The Fabelmans (2022) Original Music Composer
- Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi (2022) Music
- OSN: Il ballo al Cinema con John Axelrod (2022) Original Music Composer
- Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous: Hidden Adventure (2022) Main Title Theme Composer
- If These Walls Could Sing (2022) as Self
- The Stories of West Side Story (2022) as Self
- Fiddler's Journey to the Big Screen (2022) as self
- Piano Cinéma (2022) Original Music Composer
- Anne-Sophie Mutter, John Williams & Friends: Beethoven and Williams (2022) as selbst
- Williams: Violin Concerto No. 2 & Selected Film Themes (2022) as Self - Conductor
- The Book of Boba Fett (2021) Music
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021) Music
- For the Empire (2021) Music
- John Williams: The Berlin Concert (2021) as Self
- John Williams Live - Music from the Movies (2021)
- John Williams Live - Music from the Movies (2021) Original Music Composer
- Disney Gallery / Star Wars: The Mandalorian (2020) as Self - Composer (archive footage)
- The Skywalker Legacy (2020) as Self
- LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special (2020) Music
- A World Without Beethoven? (2020) as Self
- John Williams: Live in Vienna (2020) as Self - Conductor
- John Williams: Live in Vienna (2020) Music
- Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) as Oma Tres
- Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) Original Music Composer
- Battle at Big Rock (2019) Main Title Theme Composer
- Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - Adventure Awaits (2019) as Self
- Leonard Bernstein Centennial Celebration at Tanglewood (2018) as Self - Conductor
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) Original Music Composer
- The Post (2017) Original Music Composer
- Spielberg (2017) as Self
- Score: A Film Music Documentary (2017) as Self
- Dear Basketball (2017) Music
- The BFG (2016) Original Music Composer
- Hoshino (2016) Original Music Composer
- John Williams at the BBC (2016) as self
- John Williams: The Seventh Symphony (2016) as Self (archive footage)
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015)
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) Original Music Composer
- A John Williams Celebration (2015) as Self
- The Book Thief (2013) Original Music Composer
- Lincoln: An American Journey (2013) as Self
- Tanglewood 75th Anniversary Celebration (2013) as Himself
- Lincoln (2012) Original Music Composer
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Darth Maul Returns (2012) Theme Song Performance
- The 'E.T.' Journals (2012) as Self
- The Adventures of Tintin (2011) Original Music Composer
- War Horse (2011) Original Music Composer
- Return to Jurassic Park (2011) as Self
- LEGO Star Wars: The Padawan Menace (2011) Original Music Composer
- AFI's Master Class - The Art of Collaboration: Steven Spielberg and John Williams (2011) as Self
- A Conversation with the Masters: The Empire Strikes Back 30 Years Later (2011) as Self
- Jaws: The Inside Story (2010) as Self
- Music (2010) as Self
- LEGO Star Wars: Bombad Bounty (2010) Main Title Theme Composer
- Deconstructing Dad: The Music, Machines and Mystery of Raymond Scott (2010) as Self
- The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story (2009) as Self
- The Shark Is Still Working (2009) as Self
- No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos (2009) as Self
- Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me (2009) as Self / Performer
- Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) Original Music Composer
- Lego Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Brick (2008) Music
- A Timeless Call (2008) Music
- Love Will Tear Us Apart (2007)
- An Inconvenient Truth (2006) Thanks
- Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006) Original Music Composer
- Päronet och bajskorven (2006) Music
- Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer (2006) as Self
- You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman (2006) as Self
- War of the Worlds (2005) Original Music Composer
- War of the Worlds (2005) Conductor
- Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) Original Music Composer
- Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) Original Music Composer
- Munich (2005) Original Music Composer
- Star Wars: A Musical Journey (2005)
- Within a Minute: The Making of Star Wars Episode III (2005) as Self
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) Original Music Composer
- The Terminal (2004) Original Music Composer
- Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy (2004) as Self
- Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball? (2004) as Self (archive footage)
- When Star Wars Ruled the World (2004) as Self
- The Revamping of Dracula (2004) as Self
- Building a Scene (2003)
- Catch Me If You Can: Behind the Camera (2003) as Self
- The Music of 'Indiana Jones' (2003) as Self
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) Original Music Composer
- Catch Me If You Can (2002) Original Music Composer
- Minority Report (2002) Original Music Composer
- Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) Original Music Composer
- The Music of E.T.: A Discussion with John Williams (2002) as Self
- The Music of E.T.: A Discussion with John Williams (2002) Thanks
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) Original Music Composer
- A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) Original Music Composer
- Plotting 'Family Plot' (2001) as Self
- The Beginning: The Making of Star Wars Episode I (2001) as Self
- The Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' (2001) as Self
- Making 'Superman': Filming the Legend (2001) as Self
- Taking Flight: The Development of 'Superman' (2001) as Self
- The Patriot (2000) Original Music Composer
- Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) Original Music Composer
- Angela's Ashes (1999) Original Music Composer
- The Unfinished Journey (1999) Original Music Composer
- Saving Private Ryan (1998) Original Music Composer
- Saving Private Ryan (1998) Conductor
- Stepmom (1998) Original Music Composer
- Seven Years in Tibet (1997) Original Music Composer
- The Making of 'The Lost World' (1997) as Self
- In the Teeth of Jaws (1997) as Self
- Star Wars: The Magic & the Mystery (1997) as Self
- Rosewood (1997) Original Music Composer
- The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) Original Music Composer
- Amistad (1997) Original Music Composer
- Sleepers (1996) Original Music Composer
- The Making of '1941' (1996) as Self
- The Making of 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' (1996) as Self
- Atlanta 1996: Games of the XXVI Olympiad - Opening Ceremony (1996) Conductor
- Sabrina (1995) Original Music Composer
- Sabrina (1995) Songs
- Nixon (1995) Original Music Composer
- The Hollywood Soundtrack Story (1995) as Self
- The Making of 'Jaws' (1995) as Self
- Return of the Ewok (1994) Music
- Schindler's List (1993) Original Music Composer
- Jurassic Park (1993) Original Music Composer
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992)
- Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) Original Music Composer
- Far and Away (1992) Original Music Composer
- Hook (1991) Original Music Composer
- Hook (1991) Songs
- JFK (1991) Original Music Composer
- Presumed Innocent (1990) Original Music Composer
- Stanley & Iris (1990) Original Music Composer
- Home Alone (1990) Original Music Composer
- Born on the Fourth of July (1989) Original Music Composer
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) Original Music Composer
- Always (1989) Original Music Composer
- The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball (1989) as Self
- The Accidental Tourist (1988) Original Music Composer
- Empire of the Sun (1987) Original Music Composer
- The Witches of Eastwick (1987) Original Music Composer
- The Witches of Eastwick (1987) Conductor
- Amazing Stories (1986) Original Music Composer
- SpaceCamp (1986) Original Music Composer
- Amazing Stories (1985) Main Title Theme Composer
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) Original Music Composer
- The River (1984) Original Music Composer
- Return of the Jedi (1983) Original Music Composer
- Cinderella Revolution (1983) Music
- From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga (1983) as Self
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) Original Music Composer
- Yes, Giorgio (1982) Songs
- The Man Who Saved the World (1982) Music
- Monsignor (1982) Original Music Composer
- Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) Original Music Composer
- Heartbeeps (1981) Original Music Composer
- The Empire Strikes Back (1980) Original Music Composer
- Superman II (1980) Music
- Superman II (1980) Theme Song Performance
- SP FX: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) as Self
- Star Wars: Music by John Williams (1980) as Self
- The Making of The Empire Strikes Back (1980) as Self
- 1941 (1979) Original Music Composer
- Dracula (1979) Original Music Composer
- Superman (1978) Original Music Composer
- The Kennedy Center Honors (1978) as Self
- Jaws 2 (1978) Original Music Composer
- The Fury (1978) Original Music Composer
- Star Wars (1977) Original Music Composer
- Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) Original Music Composer
- The Royal Variety Performance 1977 (1977)
- Black Sunday (1977) Original Music Composer
- Bloodthirsty Hawk (1977) Music
- Previn and the Pittsburgh (1977) as Self
- Midway (1976) Original Music Composer
- Family Plot (1976) Original Music Composer
- The Missouri Breaks (1976) Original Music Composer
- Jaws (1975) Original Music Composer
- Jaws (1975) Conductor
- The Eiger Sanction (1975) Original Music Composer
- The Towering Inferno (1974) Original Music Composer
- Earthquake (1974) Original Music Composer
- The Sugarland Express (1974) Original Music Composer
- The Sugarland Express (1974) Conductor
- Conrack (1974) Original Music Composer
- The American Film Institute Salute to ... (1973) as Self
- The Long Goodbye (1973) Original Music Composer
- Cinderella Liberty (1973) Original Music Composer
- Tom Sawyer (1973) Original Music Composer
- The Paper Chase (1973) Original Music Composer
- The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing (1973) Original Music Composer
- The Poseidon Adventure (1972) Original Music Composer
- The Cowboys (1972) Original Music Composer
- The Screaming Woman (1972) Main Title Theme Composer
- The Screaming Woman (1972) Original Music Composer
- Pete 'n' Tillie (1972) Original Music Composer
- Images (1972) Conductor
- Images (1972) Orchestrator
- Images (1972) Original Music Composer
- Fiddler on the Roof (1971) Orchestrator
- Fiddler on the Roof (1971) Conductor
- Fiddler on the Roof (1971) Music Arranger
- Fiddler on the Roof (1971) Original Music Composer
- Jane Eyre (1970) Original Music Composer
- Story of a Woman (1970) Original Music Composer
- Daddy's Gone A-Hunting (1969) Original Music Composer
- Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969) Original Music Composer
- Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969) Conductor
- Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969) Music Supervisor
- The Reivers (1969) Original Music Composer
- 60 Minutes (1968) as Self
- Heidi (1968) Original Music Composer
- Sergeant Ryker (1968) Original Music Composer
- Ghostbreakers (1967) Original Music Composer
- Valley of the Dolls (1967) Original Music Composer
- Fitzwilly (1967) Original Music Composer
- A Guide for the Married Man (1967) Original Music Composer
- How to Steal a Million (1966) Original Music Composer
- Penelope (1966) Original Music Composer
- Penelope (1966) Songs
- The Rare Breed (1966) Original Music Composer
- Not With My Wife, You Don't! (1966) Original Music Composer
- The Plainsman (1966) Original Music Composer
- Lost in Space (1965) Original Music Composer
- The Kathryn Reed Story (1965) Original Music Composer
- None But the Brave (1965) Original Music Composer
- John Goldfarb, Please Come Home! (1965) Original Music Composer
- John Goldfarb, Please Come Home! (1965) Conductor
- Redcap (1964) Original Music Composer
- The Killers (1964) Original Music Composer
- Nightmare in Chicago (1964) Original Music Composer
- Gidget Goes to Rome (1963) Original Music Composer
- The Best Years (1963) Music
- Stark Fear (1962) Music
- Diamond Head (1962) Original Music Composer
- Flashing Spikes (1962) Original Music Composer
- Alcoa Premiere (1961) Music Score Producer
- The Guns of Navarone (1961) Music Arranger
- Bachelor Flat (1961) Original Music Composer
- The Secret Ways (1961) Original Music Composer
- Because They're Young (1960) Original Music Composer
- I Passed for White (1960) Original Music Composer
- Daddy-O (1958) Original Music Composer
- Bachelor Father (1957) Original Music Composer
- Playhouse 90 (1956) as Self (Pianist)
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Today (1952) Conductor
- Montage: Great Film Composers and The Piano
- Live at the Shrine! John Williams and the World Premiere of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial: The 20th Anniversary as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is John Williams best known for?
John Williams is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Disclosure Day (2026), Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord (2026), Jurassic World Rebirth (2025), Superman (2025).
When and where was John Williams born?
John Williams was born on February 8, 1932 in Queens, New York City, New York, USA.
How many credits does John Williams have?
John Williams has accumulated over 276 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1952 to 2026.
What is John Williams's background in cinema and television?
John Williams is an American composer and conductor born on February 8, 1932, in Queens, New York City, New York, USA. He is known for his collaborations with notable figures in the film industry. Williams has composed film scores that are widely recognized and critically acclaimed. He is also a conductor with a distin...
John Williams by the numbers
276credits
253films
23TV series
1952–2026active years
Age in their best-rated roles
- Ennio (2022) as Self — aged about 90
- Previn and the Pittsburgh (1977) as Self — aged about 45
- Playhouse 90 (1956) as Self (Pianist) — aged about 24
- The Kennedy Center Honors (1978) as Self — aged about 46
- The Oscars (1953) as Self — aged about 21
- 60 Minutes (1968) as Self — aged about 36
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