Trivia

His 1971 song "Rainy Days and Mondays", inspired by his mother, was originally planned for The 5th Dimension, which they passed on. The song went to The Carpenters.

Wrote the theme song for the television series The Love Boat (1977).

On December 9, 2001, he appeared as a guest in "The Muppet Show Live" performing many of the songs he had written for The Muppets over the years. The event was part of the first annual MuppetFest fan convention (which he also attended) and a fundraiser for Save the Children.

Recovered from substance abuse problems and became a licensed drug rehabilitation counselor. He also began an active involvement with the Musician's Assistance Programme, a non-profit organization founded to aid music-industry professionals recovery from substance abuse.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6931 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on August 10, 1983.

Is an avid skydiver. Has completed more the 100 jumps (as of 1980).

Has played Truman Capote in the one-man play "Tru" (1989).

Poignantly appeared as the leader of an alien race who had never before heard music in an episode of Star Trek: Voyager (1995).

Inducted into the American Songwriters Hall of Fame (2001).

Following his father's 1953 death, he was sent to live with relatives in Long Beach, California.

Paul's brother, Mentor Williams, is a successful songwriter in his own right and penned Dobie Gray's 1972 hit single "Drift Away".

Is the Chairman and Director of the Board of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) (Writers division).

His father, Paul Hamilton Williams, died in a car crash when Paul was 13-years-old.

Auditioned for a role on the situation comedy The Monkees (1965).

Has two children with Kate Clinton: Sarah Williams and Cole Williams.

Provided music and lyrics for Garry Marshall's musical adaptation of Happy Days (1974). The sitcom ran in England and Australia and opened in Los Angeles, California in the early part of 2006.

He appeared in the music video and sang in the choir on the song "Voices That Care".

Paul Williams once appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, dressed in full orangutan prosthetic and costume, having come directly from the set of Battle For The Planet Of The Apes.

He was the same age with Brian De Palma and William Finley when they made Phantom of the Paradise (1974).

He was born exactly one day before his Phantom of the Paradise (1974) co-star William Finley.

Currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

Has two grandchildren.

Ironically and pointedly, he appeared in Virtuoso (2000) as the leader of an alien race who had never before heard of music.