TCM Honors Songwriting Legend Paul Williams

Paul Williams, an Oscar and three-time Grammy winner, is set to be honored at the TCM Classic Film Festival. The 85-year-old songwriter will attend screenings of "The Muppet Movie" (1979) and "Ishtar" (1987), both featuring his renowned musical contributions.

Williams, who described himself as an out-of-work actor who found success writing songs, has a career spanning decades. He is known for collaborations with Roger Nichols, resulting in hits like "We've Only Just Begun" and "Rainy Days and Mondays." He also penned "Evergreen" for Barbra Streisand's "A Star Is Born" (1976), inspired by a melody Streisand herself was learning.

In the 1980s, Williams struggled with severe cocaine addiction and alcoholism, losing a decade to his substance abuse. He has since achieved 36 years of sobriety, underwent treatment, and became a certified drug and alcohol counselor. This period of recovery marked a turning point, leading to a resurgence in his music career.

A significant moment in his comeback was being asked by Brian Henson to write songs for "The Muppet Christmas Carol" (1992). This project reignited his passion and musical endeavors, paving the way for more recent collaborations, including those with Daft Punk on songs like "Touch" and "Beyond."