Paul Williams (songwriter) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul Williams
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Williams at GalaxyCon Raleigh in 2022
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Paul Hamilton Williams Jr. |
| Born | September 19, 1940 Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1964–present |
| Labels | A&M, Reprise, Portrait |
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Paul Hamilton Williams Jr. (born September 19, 1940) is an American composer, singer, songwriter, and actor. He is famous for writing and co-writing many popular songs in the 1970s. Some of his well-known songs include "An Old Fashioned Love Song" for Three Dog Night and "We've Only Just Begun" for the Carpenters.
Paul Williams also wrote the music and lyrics for the movie Bugsy Malone (1976). He helped create the Oscar-nominated song "Rainbow Connection" from The Muppet Movie. He also wrote the lyrics for "Evergreen", the main song from the movie A Star Is Born. This song won him a Grammy and an Academy Award for Best Original Song. He even wrote the lyrics for the theme song of the TV show The Love Boat.
Besides music, Williams has acted in many movies and TV shows. He played Little Enos Burdette in the action-comedy Smokey and the Bandit (1977). He was also the villain Swan in Phantom of the Paradise (1974), where he also helped write the music. Since 2009, Williams has been the president and chairman of ASCAP, a group that supports songwriters.
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Early Life and Family
Paul Williams was born in Omaha, Nebraska. His father, Paul Hamilton Williams, was an architectural engineer. His mother, Bertha Mae, was a homemaker.
Paul has two brothers who were also very talented. One brother, John J. Williams, was a rocket scientist for NASA. He worked on the Mercury and Apollo space programs. He even received NASA's highest honor in 1969. His other brother, Mentor Williams, was also a songwriter. He wrote the 1973 hit song "Drift Away" for Dobie Gray.
Amazing Music Career
Paul Williams started his songwriting career in Los Angeles with Biff Rose. They first met while working on a TV comedy show. Together, they wrote "Fill Your Heart". This song was recorded by Biff Rose and later by Tiny Tim. Even David Bowie recorded a version of it on his album Hunky Dory.
Rose helped Williams get his start with A&M Records. This led to Williams working with songwriter Roger Nichols. Williams and Nichols created many successful pop songs in the 1970s.
Famous Songs He Wrote
They wrote several hits for Three Dog Night, like "An Old Fashioned Love Song" and "Out in the Country". They also wrote "You and Me Against the World" for Helen Reddy.
Williams and Nichols also wrote many famous songs for the Carpenters. These include "Rainy Days and Mondays", "I Won't Last a Day Without You", and "We've Only Just Begun". "We've Only Just Begun" was originally for a bank commercial. It has since become a very popular song for weddings.
Paul Williams also worked with musician Kenneth Ascher. Together, they wrote "Rainbow Connection". This song was sung by Jim Henson (as Kermit the Frog) in The Muppet Movie (1979).
Music for Movies and TV
Williams wrote and sang songs for several films. He starred in Phantom of the Paradise (1974) and also earned an Oscar nomination for its music. He also worked on the music for Bugsy Malone (1976).
He wrote and sang "Where Do I Go from Here" for the movie Thunderbolt and Lightfoot. He also wrote lyrics for "You're So Nice to Be Around" from Cinderella Liberty. This song earned him an Oscar nomination.
With Kenny Ascher and Rupert Holmes, he wrote music and lyrics for A Star Is Born (1976). The love song "Evergreen" won an Academy Award and a Grammy.
In 2012, Williams worked with the French electronic music group Daft Punk. He co-wrote and sang on their song "Touch". He also co-wrote "Beyond" for their album Random Access Memories.
Paul Williams is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. His songs have been performed by many pop and country artists. In 2009, he became the president and chairman of ASCAP. This organization helps protect the rights of songwriters.
Acting Roles in Movies and TV
Even though he is known for his music, Paul Williams has acted in many movies and TV shows. He played the record producer Swan in the movie Phantom of the Paradise (1974). This movie was a rock and roll version of The Phantom of the Opera. He also played Virgil, a smart orangutan, in Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973).
He made a funny appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1973. He sang a song while dressed as Virgil. He also played Migelito Loveless, Jr. in The Wild Wild West Revisited (1979).
After appearing on The Muppet Show in 1976, Williams worked closely with Jim Henson's company. He worked on the music for The Muppet Movie. He also had a small role as the piano player in the movie. He wrote lyrics for Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas too.
Williams also provided the voice of the Penguin in Batman: The Animated Series. He appeared on the children's show Yo Gabba Gabba! in 2008. There, he sang "Rainbow Connection". He was also on Dexter's Laboratory as Professor Williams.
He played Little Enos Burdette in Smokey and the Bandit (1977) and its sequels. He also had a recurring role in the TV series Goliath in 2018 and 2019.
His Life Today
Paul Williams has been married three times and has two children. His children are Sarah and Cole Williams.
In 2011, a documentary called Paul Williams Still Alive was released. It showed his life and career.
Notable Hits
- "Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)" (a #1 hit for Barbra Streisand)
- "I Won't Last a Day Without You" (a #1 hit for Carpenters)
- "Rainy Days and Mondays" (a #1 hit for Carpenters)
- "We've Only Just Begun" (a #1 hit for Carpenters)
- "An Old Fashioned Love Song" (a #4 hit for Three Dog Night)
- "Out in the Country" (a #15 hit for Three Dog Night)
- "Rainbow Connection" (an Oscar-nominated song, sung by Kermit the Frog)
- "Touch" (Daft Punk – Williams also sang on this song)
Scores for Films and Theatre
Paul Williams has composed music for many films and stage shows.
Films
- Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
- Bugsy Malone (1976)
- The Muppet Movie (1979)
- The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Theatre
- Bugsy Malone (1997)
- Happy Days (2007)
Images for kids
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Paul Williams at GalaxyCon Raleigh in 2022
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Williams performing in 1974
See also
In Spanish: Paul Williams (compositor) para niños
