John Williams to Receive AFI Life Achievement Award

John Williams – composer of the first three Harry Potter film soundtracks – is set to receive the 44th AFI Life Achievement award at a gala tribute on June 9th 2016, marking the first time a composer has been honoured by the American Film Institute.

“John Williams has written the soundtrack to our lives,” said Sir Howard Stringer, Chair, AFI Board of Trustees. “Note by note, through chord and chorus, his genius for marrying music with movies has elevated the art form to symphonic levels and inspired generations of audiences to be enriched by the magic of the movies. AFI is proud to present him with its 44th Life Achievement Award.”

Over 150 titles spanning seven decades are owed to Williams’ ingenuity. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Jurassic Park (1993) and the Star Wars (1997) sountracks are composed by Williams, along with famous collaborations with Steven Spielberg which include Jaws (1975), E.T. (1982) and Schindler’s List (1993). The newest Star Wars films will also be composed by him.

He has had the most Oscar nominations (49) of any living person, and has won 5 Oscars in total.

The Wrap reports:

‘The AFI Life Achievement Award dates back to 1973 and is presented to a single honoree each year “whose talent has in a fundamental way advanced the film art; whose accomplishment has been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time.”

The 43rd AFI Life Achievement Award honored Steve Martin, and other recipients include Mel Brooks (2013), Tom Hanks (2002) and Meryl Streep (2004).’

Join us here at Leaky in congratulating John Williams on another amazing (and well-deserved) achievement!