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 Williams eventually announced, but later rescinded, his intention to retire from film score composition after releasing Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in 2023.