Hollywood Bowl Stage Dedicated to Legendary Composer John Williams

In a historic tribute, the Hollywood Bowl has officially dedicated its stage to legendary film composer John Williams, marking the first time in the venue's 103-year history that the stage has been named in honor of an artist. The announcement was made by the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The private dedication ceremony, hosted by LA Phil President and CEO Kim Noltemy and Board Chair Jason Subotky, unveiled the new stage signage celebrating the composer's enduring legacy.

The dedication was made possible through generous support from longtime LA Philharmonic patrons and friends of Williams, including Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw's Hearthland Foundation, Jason Subotky and Anne Akiko Meyers, Judith and Thomas L. Beckmen, Seth MacFarlane, Andrew Hewitt, Michael Rapino, Bill Silva, Barbara and Jay Rasulo, Jay and Deanie Stein, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, and the Katie McGrath and J.J. Abrams Family Foundation.

Williams' extraordinary career spans more than a century of cinema, with over 100 film scores to his name, including Star Wars, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jaws, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, and the first three Harry Potter films. His compositions have earned him five Academy Awards and made him one of the most influential musical voices in film history.

"The Hollywood Bowl has become synonymous with John Williams' music. His scores have captivated generations of filmgoers, and his concerts at the Bowl have defined what it means to experience film music live. This dedication honors not only his artistic brilliance but also the way he has helped shape the Bowl into the most recognizable stage for symphonic film music,"  Noltemy said during the ceremony. 

Longtime collaborator Steven Spielberg spoke about the composer, saying, "Without John Williams, bikes don't really fly, nor do brooms in Quidditch matches, nor do men in red capes. There is no Force, dinosaurs do not walk the Earth. We do not wonder, we do not weep, we do not believe."

For decades, Williams' concerts at the Hollywood Bowl have been among the venue's most beloved traditions. Fans have packed the amphitheater, waving glowing lightsabers as the Star Wars theme fills the night air. In recent years, Williams has passed the baton to guest conductors, but his spirit and music remain at the heart of events like Maestro at the Movies and Home Alone in Concert.

Williams expressed deep appreciation to the LA Philharmonic and the many supporters who made the dedication possible, saying, "This is an honor that is unprecedented and unequaled in generosity shown by the Los Angeles Philharmonic family - my family - in making this dedication. I want to thank all of the donors in this effort, who proudly support and salute the work done by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, one of the great orchestras of the world. The uniqueness of this honor is certainly unheard of and I thank all of you."