Hollywood legend, 50-time Oscar nominee John Williams honoured at gala | Hollywood - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Hollywood legend, 50-time Oscar nominee John Williams honoured at gala

AP | By, Los Angeles
Jun 10, 2016 05:10 PM IST

John Williams, creator of the iconic music from Superman, Star Wars, Jaws, E.T. and Jurassic Park, is also the first composer to receive the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award.

Kobe Bryant considers him a muse. Harrison Ford says he elevates entertainment to art. Seth MacFarlane calls him “the single greatest talent working in Hollywood.”

Composer John Williams with filmmaker Steven Spielberg on the red carpet at the 2016 AFI Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute to Williams.(AP)
Composer John Williams with filmmaker Steven Spielberg on the red carpet at the 2016 AFI Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute to Williams.(AP)

John Williams, creator of the iconic music from Superman, Star Wars, Jaws, E.T. and Jurassic Park, is also the first composer to receive the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award. He accepted the honour Thursday at a black-tie dinner at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre that’s set to air as a TV special Wednesday night on TNT. Bryant, Ford and MacFarlane were among the stars celebrating Williams’ contributions to cinema.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Steven Spielberg presented his longtime friend and collaborator with the award.

“Without John Williams, bikes don’t really fly,” Spielberg said. “Nor do brooms in Quidditch matches; nor do men in red capes. There is no Force. Dinosaurs don’t walk the Earth... You take our movies, many of them about our most impossible dreams, and through your musical genius, you make them real and everlasting for billions and billions of people.”

Williams has scored more than 100 films and received an astounding 50 Oscar nominations. He also composed the theme songs for Sunday Night Football, NBC’s Nightly News and the Olympics.

George Lucas said it was Williams’ soaring score that “ensured that ‘Star Wars’ would live forever.”

“And you did it again with Raiders of the Lost Ark,” he said.

Bryant said he asked to meet with Williams in 2009 to learn how he approaches his work.

“I’m a passionate believer that everybody needs a muse, and John Williams is one of mine,” said the recently retired Lakers star. “John’s music achieved a level of perfection I wanted to reach on the basketball court.”

Other stars feting the composer from the stage included Drew Barrymore, Tom Hanks, JJ Abrams, Bryce Dallas Howard and Will Ferrell, who wordlessly attempted to conduct the audience in song. Broadway star Idina Menzel was among the guests, and she stood and sang a few notes.

Actor Will Ferrell performs during the American Film Institute's 44th Life Achievement Award honouring composer John Williams at Dolby theatre in Hollywood.
Actor Will Ferrell performs during the American Film Institute's 44th Life Achievement Award honouring composer John Williams at Dolby theatre in Hollywood.

The 84-year-old Williams said that when he first learned he would be receiving AFI’s highest honour, he thought, “I’m really much too young for a thing like this.”

Read: Lord of the Rings soundtrack is the best soundtrack ever: Poll

His career began in the 1950s as a paid pianist for Hollywood studios and thrives to this day. His latest composing credit is Spielberg’s The BFG, opening in July, and the next Star Wars installment.

Directors Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and JJ Abrams pose at the American Film Institute's (AFI) 44th Life Achievement Award honouring composer John Williams. (REUTERS)
Directors Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and JJ Abrams pose at the American Film Institute's (AFI) 44th Life Achievement Award honouring composer John Williams. (REUTERS)

“I am enormously grateful, as all composers are, to film, for giving us the broadest possible audience worldwide that any composer has ever enjoyed,” Williams said, thanking his mentors, musicians and director collaborators.

“Tomorrow morning when I’m back at work,” he said, “I’ll try to deserve all this.”

Follow @htshowbiz for more

Explore the art deco structures of Mumbai through a heritage walk with HT! Participate now.

Get more updates from Bollywood, Hollywood, Music and Web Series along with Latest Entertainment News at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On