Paul Williams (songwriter)

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Paul Hamilton Williams (born September 19, 1940, in Omaha, Nebraska) is an American composer and songwriter. The diminutive (5 feet (1.5 m.) tall) and cherubic Williams is also an actor, appearing in films and many television guest appearances, notably as the lead role in the cult film Phantom of the Paradise, a rock and roll remake of Phantom of the Opera. Williams worked closely with Jim Henson's Henson Productions on The Muppet Movie, most specifically on the soundtrack.

Contents 1 Achievements 2 Later life 3 Acting career 3.1 Movies 3.2 Plays 3.3 Television 4 Songwriter career 4.1 Albums 4.2 Notable songs 4.3 Film music 4.4 Television 5 External links

Achievements

He is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and his songs have been performed by both popular and country music artists. He is the son-in-law of actor Keenan Wynn. He has won one Academy Award, two Grammy Awards and several Golden Globes.

Williams is responsible for a number of enduring pop hits from the 1970s, including, "(Just an) Old Fashioned Love Song", a U.S. top-ten hit for the band Three Dog Night in late 1971, and a number of Carpenters hits, most notably "We've Only Just Begun", which has since become a cover-band standard, and de rigeur for weddings throughout North America. In addition, Williams penned the popular children's favorite "The Rainbow Connection", sung by Kermit in "The Muppet Movie".

Later life

Williams has been active in the field of recovery from addictions. He has been divorced twice, is currently married, and has two children.

Acting career

Movies

• The Loved One, 1965
• The Chase, 1966
• Watermelon Man, 1970
• Battle for the Planet of the Apes, 1973
• Phantom of the Paradise, 1974
• Smokey and the Bandit, 1977, as Little Enos, a recurring part
• The Cheap Detective, 1978
• The Muppet Movie, 1979
• Smokey and the Bandit II, 1980
• Smokey and the Bandit Part 3, 1983
• The Doors, 1991
• Headless Body in Topless bar, 1995
• The Rules of Attraction, 2002

Plays

• Under the Sycamore Tree
• Tru on Broadway, 1989

Television

He has also made numerous television appearances in the 1970s and 1980s, including guest appearances on Match Game '79, The Love Boat, and The Muppet Show.

He is also known as the voice of the Penguin in Batman: The Animated Series.

Songwriter career

Albums

• Words & Music
• The Holy Mackerel
• We've Only Just Begun
• Someday Man
• Just An Old Fashioned Love Song
• Life Goes On
• Here Comes Inspiration
• A Little Bit Of Love
• Phantom Of The Paradise
• Ordinary Fool
• A Little On The Windy Side
• Crazy For Loving You

Notable songs

• "We've Only Just Begun"
• "Rainy Days and Mondays"
• "I Won't Last a Day Without You"
• "What Would They Say"
• "Someday Man"
• "Waking Up Alone"
• "Rainbow Connection"
• "(Just An) Old Fashioned Love Song"
• "The Hell of It"
• "One More Angel"
• "Theme to the Love Boat"

Film music

• The Getaway, 1972
• The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing, 1972
• Cinderella Liberty, 1973
• Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, 1974
• Phantom of the Paradise, 1974
• The Day of the Locust, 1975
• Bugsy Malone, 1976
• A Star Is Born, 1976
• One on One, 1977
• The End, 1978
• Agatha, 1979
• The Muppet Movie, 1979
• The Secret of NIMH, 1982

Television

• The Love Boat
• The McLean Stevenson Show
• It Takes Two
• Sugar Time!
• Baretta
• Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas, produced by Jim Henson

External links

• Paul Williams Humanitarian
• {{{2|{{{name|Paul Williams (songwriter)}}}}}} at The Internet Movie Database
• Paul Williams' Music & Acting Page
• Complete brief biography
• Paul Williams Fan Club
• PaulWilliams Connection

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