John Michael Williams was born in Melrose, Massachusetts, a charming suburb nestled just north of Boston. He is the second oldest of eight children, and his upbringing had a profound impact on his future success. As a child, he attended St. Mary's of the Annunciation Elementary School, Malden Catholic High School, and Northeastern University, where he honed his skills and cultivated his passion for the arts.
John's early life was marked by a strong musical influence, thanks to his father, who is credited as the source of his talent. He later became the protégé of James Houghton, a renowned opera performer and Dean of Music at Boston University. This mentorship played a significant role in shaping John's artistic identity.
John's writing career began to take off in the early 1990s, with the publication of his first story, "The Easter Egg Escapade," in 1990. This was followed by "Wondering William and the Sandman" in 1991 and "Rules of the Road Toads" in 1992. These early works showcased John's unique storytelling style and his ability to craft engaging narratives for children.
John's first film, "The Easter Egg Escapade," is a critically acclaimed "tour de force" that has received widespread recognition. He wrote the screenplay, composed the music and lyrics, and performed the lead role in the film, which features an impressive cast, including Brooke Shields, James Woods, Natalie Cole, Sandra Bernhardt, Joey Pantoliano, Eli Wallach, and Nancy Kerrigan. John's original children's book served as the basis for the film, and he also wrote the love theme and performed a memorable duet with Natalie Cole.
The film has received numerous accolades, including the "Best Music in a Film" award at the Jackson Hole Film Festival, Best Animated Film at Spudfest, and honors at the Hollywood Film Festival.
In addition to his work in film, John has performed on the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon and NBC's "Halloween on Ice," which he also wrote. He has recently directed and composed the score for the Guatemalan documentary film "No Money for Butter" and has directed "The Gloucester 18," a documentary film about the Gloucester pregnancy pact, a story that garnered international attention. John has continued to follow the lives of the girls featured in the film and has recently shot the sequel, "Working Title."
Most recently, John directed "Bridgend," a riveting documentary about a pattern of deaths in a small town in South Wales. He has also written numerous children's books, including "Wondering William and the Sandman," "Rules of the Road Toads," and many others.
