With a career spanning seven decades, John Williams has continued to cement a strong legacy with his acclaimed film scores in the history of cinema. However, his behind-the-scenes talent has brought him into the prestigious Academy Awards record book.
The 91-year-old composer has received his 54th nomination for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny ahead of the 96th annual Academy Awards. This has led him to strengthen his long-held record as the most-nominated musician in Oscar history. However, the other record is quite as impressive as this one!
John Williams is the Most Oscar Nominated Person Alive
As the nominees for the 96th Academy Awards were revealed, John Williams set another outstanding record in Oscar history. For composing an original score for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, he earned his 49th Oscar nomination. With 54 career Oscar nominations to his name including his original song, he is the most Oscar-nominated person alive, as per Culture Crave.
While he earned his first nomination in 1968 for Valley of the Dolls, his first win arrived in 1972, when Fiddler on the Roof won Best Scoring: Adaptation and Original Song Score. While his other 4 wins were for Best Original Score for his work in Jaws (1975), Star Wars (1977), E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (1982), and Schindler’s List (1994).
According to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences which is known for its annual Academy Awards, Williams is the oldest nominee in a competitive award category.
Can Anyone Come Close to John Williams’ Oscar Nods Record?
The legendary composer has attained an impressive feat with his Oscar record and has made great achievements in other awards categories as well. Apart from The Oscars, he has also won seven BAFTAs, four Golden Globes, 25 Grammys (out of 72 nominations), and three Emmy Awards.
He is the second most Oscar nominated individual after Walt Disney who holds the top position as he received 59 Oscar nods during his lifetime and won 22 of them. He is the genius mastermind behind the creation of some of the best animated characters across the world including Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. He is also the founder of the Disney Company which has become one of the best entertainment companies in the world.
While Williams has more Academy Award nominations than any living person, getting close to his Academy nods is quite a story of its own.
Meanwhile, the other nominations for the Original Score category include Laura Karpman for American Fiction, Ludwig Göransson for Oppenheimer, and Jerskin Fendrix for Poor Things. Robbie Robertson, who passed away last year earned a posthumous nomination for his work in Killers of the Flower Moon.
