Williams, John (1932-…), an American composer and conductor, has written many of the most popular compositions in motion-picture history. Williams has been nominated for more than 40 Academy Awards for his film music, winning 5 Oscars. He has composed scores for more than 90 motion pictures, several directed by Steven Spielberg. Williams has composed music for such hit films as Jaws (1975); Star Wars (1977); Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977); Superman (1978); Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981);E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982); Home Alone (1990); Schindler’s List (1993); Jurassic Park (1993); Saving Private Ryan (1998); The Patriot (2000); a number of the films in the Harry Potter series, beginning with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001); and Lincoln (2012).
John Towner Williams was born on Feb. 8, 1932, in the Flushing section of New York City. He moved with his family to Los Angeles in 1948, where he studied composition and arranging. He created his first film score for Daddy O. in 1959. Williams has also composed several classical works, including two symphonies and several concertos. In addition, Williams composed the fanfare and theme music for the 1984, 1988, and 1996 Summer Olympic Games and the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. He conducted the Boston Pops orchestra from 1980 to 1993.
