Paul Williams
Sound Born Sep 19, 1940 Bennington, Omaha, Nebraska, USA 147 credits
Biography
Paul Williams is an American composer, singer, songwriter, and actor born on September 19, 1940, in Bennington, Omaha, Nebraska, USA. He is known for writing and co-writing popular songs performed by various acts in the 1970s, including Three Dog Night, Helen Reddy, Biff Rose, and the Carpenters. Williams also wrote the score and lyrics for the film Bugsy Malone and contributed to other films, including The Muppet Movie. He is credited with writing the lyrics to the song "E" and the Oscar-nominated song "Rainbow Connection" from The Muppet Movie. Williams has a long history of work in the music and film industries, with over 130 credits listed.
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Career overview
Paul Williams is a composer, singer, songwriter, and actor. He is known for writing and co-writing popular songs performed by various acts in the 1970s. His work includes songs for Three Dog Night, Helen Reddy, Biff Rose, and the Carpenters.
Williams has also made significant contributions to film music, including writing the score and lyrics for the 1976 film Bugsy Malone. He is credited with writing the lyrics to the song "E" and the Oscar-nominated song "Rainbow Connection" from The Muppet Movie.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
The Muppet Scriptmas Carol · SongsThe Muppet Script · Original Music Composer
Killing Me Softly with His Songs
Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas · Songs
Superman: Red SonProp CultureBelsen: Our Story · Cinematography
Phantom of Winnipeg
Baby DriverWaiting for Ishtar
GoliathBridget Jones's Baby · Dialogue EditorThe Bandit
Daft Punk Unchained
Guillermo del Toro Interviews Paul WilliamsGuillermo del Toro Interviews Paul Williams · Thanks
Daft Punk | Random Access Memories | The Collaborators
The Diamond Jubilee Concert 2012 · Executive ProducerThe Ghastly Love of Johnny X
Paul Williams Still Alive
Valentine's Day
Community
The Happening · Construction CoordinatorA Muppets Christmas: Letters to SantaA Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa · SongsA Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa · StoryA Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa · Teleplay
Georgia Rule
Paradise Regained: Brian de Palma's 'Phantom of the Paradise'Loaded up and Trucking: The Making of Smokey and the Bandit
Nowhere ManBehind the Scenes in Frogtown Hollow
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
The Rules of AttractionClose to You: The Story of the Carpenters
The Gospel According to Philip K. Dick
A Regular Frankie Fan
Postal Worker
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV ShowThe New Batman AdventuresPerversions of Science
Dexter's LaboratorySuperman: The Animated SeriesBoston CommonFirestorm
Star Trek: VoyagerThe Mask: Animated SeriesHeadless Body in Topless Bar
Babylon 5The TickPhantom 2040A Million to JuanHart to Hart: Old Friends Never Die
Walker, Texas RangerNick & NoelThe Town Santa Forgot
Batman: The Animated SeriesThe Muppet Christmas Carol · SongsSolar CrisisFish Police
The Legend of Prince ValiantThe DoorsVoices That CareTimeless Tales: The Steadfast Tin SoldierThe Last Halloween
Full Filmography
147 titles- The Muppet Scriptmas Carol (2025) Songs
- The Muppet Script (2025) Original Music Composer
- Killing Me Softly with His Songs (2022) as Self
- Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas (2021) Songs
- Superman: Red Son (2020) as Brainiac (voice)
- Prop Culture (2020) as Self
- Belsen: Our Story (2020) Cinematography
- Phantom of Winnipeg (2019) as Self
- Baby Driver (2017) as The Butcher
- Waiting for Ishtar (2017) as Self
- Goliath (2016) as James 'JT' Reginald III
- Bridget Jones's Baby (2016) Dialogue Editor
- The Bandit (2016) as Self
- Daft Punk Unchained (2015) as Self
- Guillermo del Toro Interviews Paul Williams (2014) as Self
- Guillermo del Toro Interviews Paul Williams (2014) Thanks
- Daft Punk | Random Access Memories | The Collaborators (2013) as Himself
- The Diamond Jubilee Concert 2012 (2012) Executive Producer
- The Ghastly Love of Johnny X (2012) as Cousin Quilty
- Paul Williams Still Alive (2011) as Self
- Valentine's Day (2010) as Romeo Midnight (voice)
- Community (2009) as Britta's Contact
- The Happening (2008) Construction Coordinator
- A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa (2008) as Elf
- A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa (2008) Songs
- A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa (2008) Story
- A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa (2008) Teleplay
- Georgia Rule (2007) as Mr. Wells
- Paradise Regained: Brian de Palma's 'Phantom of the Paradise' (2006) as Himself
- Loaded up and Trucking: The Making of Smokey and the Bandit (2006) as Self
- Nowhere Man (2005) as Bar Patron
- Behind the Scenes in Frogtown Hollow (2005) as Self
- The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004) as Lord Harmony
- The Rules of Attraction (2002) as Duty Doctor
- Close to You: The Story of the Carpenters (2002)
- The Gospel According to Philip K. Dick (2001) as Himself
- A Regular Frankie Fan (2000) as Narrator
- Postal Worker (1998)
- Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show (1997)
- The New Batman Adventures (1997) as The Penguin (voice)
- Perversions of Science (1997) as Dr. Mueller
- Dexter's Laboratory (1996) as Professor Williams (voice)
- Superman: The Animated Series (1996) as Penguin (voice)
- Boston Common (1996) as Father Rooney
- Firestorm (1996) as Dr. Tangu
- Star Trek: Voyager (1995) as Koru
- The Mask: Animated Series (1995) as Dr. Byron (voice)
- Headless Body in Topless Bar (1995) as Carl Levin
- Babylon 5 (1994) as Taq
- The Tick (1994) as Mother of Invention (voice)
- Phantom 2040 (1994)
- A Million to Juan (1994) as Jenkins
- Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never Die (1994) as Duke
- Walker, Texas Ranger (1993) as Tumbleweed Tom
- Nick & Noel (1993) as Barnaby (voice)
- The Town Santa Forgot (1993) as Pomp the Elf
- Batman: The Animated Series (1992) as Penguin (voice)
- The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) Songs
- Solar Crisis (1992) as Freddy the Bomb (voice)
- Fish Police (1992) as Buddy (voice)
- The Legend of Prince Valiant (1991)
- The Doors (1991) as Warhol PR
- Voices That Care (1991) as Self - Choir Member
- Timeless Tales: The Steadfast Tin Soldier (1991) as Frogbrauten
- The Last Halloween (1991) as Gleep (Voice)
- Frogs! (1991) as Gus
- Captain Planet and the Planeteers (1990) as Kujo (voice)
- Dream On (1990) as Paul Williams
- Sam Kinison: Banned (1990) as Attorney
- People Like Us (1990) as Ezzie Fenwick
- Old Gringo (1989) as Cinematographer
- The Search for Haunted Hollywood (1989) as Self
- Chill Factor (1989) as Clifford White
- Ishtar (1987) Songs
- Frog (1987) as Gus
- Twelfth Night (1987) as Curio
- My Little Pony (1986)
- The Blinkins: The Bear and the Blizzard (1986) as Grog the Frog (voice)
- 227 (1985)
- The Muppet Revue (1985) as Self
- My Little Pony: Escape from Catrina (1985) as Rep (voice)
- The Night They Saved Christmas (1984) as Ed
- Enchanted Musical Playhouse (1984)
- Puttin' on the Hits (1984) as Judge
- Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 (1983) as Little Enos
- The Secret of NIMH (1982) Lyricist
- Rooster (1982) as Rooster Steele
- Rooster (1982) Writer
- The Fall Guy (1981)
- The Fall Guy (1981) as Paul Williams (uncredited)
- Gimme a Break! (1981)
- Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) as Little Enos Burdette
- Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters (1980) as Self
- The Muppet Movie (1979) as El Sleazo Pianist
- The Muppet Movie (1979) Original Music Composer
- The Muppet Movie (1979) Songs
- B. J. and the Bear (1979)
- The Muppets Go Hollywood (1979) as Self
- The Paul Williams Comedy Show (1979) as Paul Hamilton/Marvin the Martian
- Stone Cold Dead (1979) as Julius Kurtz
- The Wild Wild West Revisited (1979) as Michelito Loveless, Jr.
- Sparrow (1978) Original Music Composer
- The Cheap Detective (1978) as Boy
- The End (1978) Original Music Composer
- The Love Boat (1977) as Nelson Hoag
- The Love Boat (1977) as Brian
- Smokey and the Bandit (1977) as Little Enos
- The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries (1977)
- The Brady Bunch Hour (1977)
- The Beatles Forever (1977) as Self
- Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (1977) Songs
- Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (1977) Music
- The People's Command Performance: '77 (1977) as Self
- Flight to Holocaust (1977) as Colorado Davis
- Flight to Holocaust (1977) Music
- Flight to Holocaust (1977) Songs
- The Captain and Tennille (1976) as Self - Guest
- The Muppet Show (1976) as Self - Special Guest Star / Arnold Stockman
- Donny & Marie (1976) as Self
- A Star Is Born (1976) Songs
- Bugsy Malone (1976) Original Music Composer
- Bugsy Malone (1976) Songs
- Good Heavens (1976)
- Baretta (1975)
- When Things Were Rotten (1975) as Guy de Maupassant
- Police Woman (1974) as Willy Jaques
- Dinah! (1974) as Self
- Phantom of the Paradise (1974) as Swan
- Phantom of the Paradise (1974) Original Music Composer
- Phantom of the Paradise (1974) Songs
- Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974) Songs
- The Stranger Who Looks Like Me (1974) Songs
- Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) as Virgil
- The Midnight Special (1972) as Self
- The Odd Couple (1970) as Paul Williams
- Watermelon Man (1970) as Employment Office Clerk
- Hawaii Five-O (1968) as Tim Powers / Stringer
- Hawaii Five-O (1968) Story
- The Chase (1966) as Seymour
- The Loved One (1965) as Gunther Fry
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1948)
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Presenter
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Paul Williams best known for?
Paul Williams is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Superman: Red Son (2020), Baby Driver (2017), Goliath (2016), Bridget Jones's Baby (2016).
When and where was Paul Williams born?
Paul Williams was born on September 19, 1940 in Bennington, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
How many credits does Paul Williams have?
Paul Williams has accumulated over 147 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 2025.
What is Paul Williams's background in cinema and television?
Paul Williams is an American composer, singer, songwriter, and actor born on September 19, 1940, in Bennington, Omaha, Nebraska, USA. He is known for writing and co-writing popular songs performed by various acts in the 1970s, including Three Dog Night, Helen Reddy, Biff Rose, and the Carpenters. Williams also wrote th...