Hollywood Bowl Dedicates Stage to Composer John Williams

In an unprecedented move for the iconic Hollywood Bowl, its performance stage has been permanently named in honor of the legendary composer John Williams. This is the first time in the venue's 103-year history that such an individual tribute has been made. The Los Angeles Philharmonic, which manages the celebrated amphitheater, unveiled the new stage signage following a private ceremony hosted by LA Phil President and CEO Kim Noltemy and board chair Jason Subotky.

The naming initiative was made possible by substantial philanthropic commitments from a group of long-standing LA Phil supporters and dedicated admirers of Williams’s work. Major donors included The Hearthland Foundation, founded by Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw, as well as Jason Subotky and Anne Akiko Meyers, Seth MacFarlane, and the Katie McGrath and J.J. Abrams Family Foundation. This wide-ranging coalition of benefactors underscores the profound respect Williams commands throughout the entertainment world.

During the event, Kim Noltemy highlighted the composer’s deep and enduring connection to the venue. She noted that Williams’s film scores have captivated audiences across generations, while his live concerts have set the benchmark for performing cinematic music. “This honor acknowledges not only his immense artistry but also his pivotal role in establishing the Bowl as the global destination for symphonic film music,” Noltemy said. Her sentiments were powerfully echoed by Steven Spielberg, who stated, “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.”

John Williams—whose celebrated filmography includes the music for all nine Star Wars episodes, the first three Harry Potter films, Jaws, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and Jurassic Park—has been a summer fixture at the Bowl for decades. For many years he personally conducted the orchestra, creating magical moments such as the sight of hundreds of glowing lightsabers waved by the audience during the Star Wars suite. Although he has recently handed over conducting duties for programs like "Maestro at the Movies" and "Home Alone in Concert," his music remains a central feature of the LA Phil’s seasonal programming, consistently drawing crowds from across Southern California and beyond.

At the ceremony, Williams expressed profound gratitude for what he called an extraordinary honor. He thanked the donors and the entire LA Phil organization, describing the orchestra as one of the finest in the world. The Hollywood Bowl, which first opened in 1922 and can seat nearly 18,000 attendees, stands as one of the largest natural amphitheaters in the United States. By permanently linking the stage to Williams, this tribute solidifies his legacy not just in the annals of cinema, but within one of America’s most cherished cultural institutions.