The name Paul Williams appears across music, sports, journalism, and film, but it refers to at least four distinct individuals whose lives and careers are often confused. This article separates the songwriter, the boxer, the Temptations singer, and the journalist by verified facts, key dates, and professional achievements, drawing on biographical reference sites and official profiles.
Last checked: 2026-06-13
Paul Williams (songwriter): Academy Award-winning songwriter, wrote ‘Rainbow Connection’ and ‘Evergreen’ · Paul Williams (Temptations): Lead singer of The Temptations, died in 1973 at age 34 · Paul Williams (boxer): Former welterweight champion, paralyzed after 2012 motorcycle crash · Paul Williams (journalist): Irish crime journalist, writes for Irish Independent
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-13.
Sources reviewed: biographical reference websites (Encyclopaedia Britannica), entertainment industry databases (IMDb, Songwriters Hall of Fame), official artist website (paulwilliamsofficial.com), local journalism (Irish Independent), social media platforms.
We did not conduct on-site interviews with the individuals or their families, nor did we independently verify medical details beyond public records. No original reporting was performed.
Four notable individuals named Paul Williams
- Academy Award-winning songwriter, wrote “Rainbow Connection” and “Evergreen” (Songwriters Hall of Fame)
- Lead singer of The Temptations, died in 1973 at age 34 (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- Former welterweight champion, paralyzed after 2012 motorcycle crash (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- Irish crime journalist, writes for Irish Independent (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
| Name | Profession | Born | Notable For | Status | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Williams (songwriter) | Songwriter, composer, actor | September 19, 1940 | Oscar-winning songwriter, ASCAP president | Active | Wrote “Rainbow Connection” and “Evergreen” |
| Paul Williams (Temptations) | Singer | July 2, 1939 | Founding member of The Temptations | Deceased (1973) | Died by suicide at age 34 |
| Paul Williams (boxer) | Professional boxer | July 27, 1981 | WBO welterweight champion | Paralyzed (2012) | Spinal cord injury from motorcycle accident |
| Paul Williams (journalist) | Journalist | Not publicly available | Crime reporting for Irish Independent | Active | Writes for Irish Independent as of 2024 |
What illness did Paul Williams have?
The answer depends entirely on which Paul Williams you mean. The boxer Paul Williams suffered a spinal cord injury after a motorcycle accident in May 2012, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down (Encyclopaedia Britannica). The Temptations singer Paul Williams died by suicide in 1973, not from an illness (Encyclopaedia Britannica). The songwriter Paul Williams has spoken about his health challenges, including long-term sobriety and recovery advocacy, but no specific diagnosis is widely reported in biographical sources.
Paul Williams (songwriter)
The songwriter Paul Williams has been public about his long-term sobriety and work in addiction recovery advocacy, describing recovery as central to his later life and public speaking alongside his creative career (Paul Williams Official Site). No specific illness beyond substance use recovery is documented in major biographical references.
Paul Williams (Temptations)
Paul Williams, the baritone singer and founding member of The Temptations, died on August 17, 1973 in Detroit, Michigan from a gunshot wound that was officially ruled a suicide (Encyclopaedia Britannica). His death is sometimes mistakenly conflated with the later careers of the songwriter and the boxer who share his name.
Paul Williams (boxer)
Boxer Paul Williams, nicknamed “The Punisher,” suffered a spinal cord injury after a motorcycle accident in May 2012 that ended his professional career (Encyclopaedia Britannica). He was born on July 27, 1981 in Augusta, Georgia, held a share of the WBO welterweight title, and had a bout scheduled with Saul “Canelo” Álvarez before the accident. For more on boxing championship bouts, see Pacquiao vs Barrios Date: July 19, 2025 Results & Recap.
Can Paul Williams walk now?
This question refers specifically to the boxer Paul Williams. He was paralyzed from the waist down after the 2012 motorcycle accident and uses a wheelchair. He has not regained the ability to walk (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
What ever happened to Paul Williams?
Each of the four Paul Williamses has a different answer. The songwriter continues to write music and perform, serving as President and Chairman of the Board of ASCAP (Songwriters Hall of Fame). The Temptations singer died in 1973. The boxer lives with paralysis and advocates for spinal injury research. The journalist writes for the Irish Independent as of 2024.
Paul Williams (songwriter)
Paul Hamilton Williams Jr. (born September 19, 1940 in Omaha, Nebraska) is a U.S. singer, songwriter, composer and actor best known for 1970s pop standards and film music (Encyclopaedia Britannica). He has written or co-written hits such as “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “You and Me Against the World,” “An Old Fashioned Love Song,” and “The Rainbow Connection,” many of them popularized by artists like the Carpenters and Kermit the Frog (Songwriters Hall of Fame). He has won an Academy Award, three Grammy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and the Ivor Novello International Award (Paul Williams Official Site). He also acted on screen, including a well-known role as Little Enos in the Smokey and the Bandit film trilogy. For more on contemporary hit songwriters, see Teddy Swims Lose Control: Meaning, Tattoos, Health, Full Story.
Paul Williams (Temptations)
Paul Williams (born July 2, 1939 in Birmingham, Alabama) was a founding member of the Motown group The Temptations and sang baritone on many of their classic 1960s tracks (Encyclopaedia Britannica). He died on August 17, 1973 in Detroit, Michigan from a gunshot wound that was officially ruled a suicide.
Paul Williams (boxer)
American professional boxer Paul Williams (nicknamed “The Punisher”) is a different person from the songwriter. He was born on July 27, 1981 in Augusta, Georgia, held a share of the WBO welterweight title, and retired after his 2012 spinal cord injury (Encyclopaedia Britannica). He had a bout scheduled with Saul “Canelo” Álvarez before the accident.
Paul Williams (journalist)
Several journalists and authors named Paul Williams exist, including an American music journalist and critic who founded the rock magazine Crawdaddy! in the 1960s (Encyclopaedia Britannica). He is yet another distinct figure from the songwriter, boxer, and Temptations singer. An Irish crime journalist also writes for the Irish Independent as of 2024.
What famous song did Paul Williams write?
This question refers to the songwriter Paul Williams. He wrote “Rainbow Connection” (sung by Kermit the Frog), co-wrote “Evergreen” with Barbra Streisand, and wrote “We’ve Only Just Begun” for The Carpenters (Songwriters Hall of Fame).
Paul Williams (songwriter)
Paul Williams has written or co-written hits such as “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “You and Me Against the World,” “An Old Fashioned Love Song,” and “The Rainbow Connection,” many of them popularized by artists like the Carpenters and Kermit the Frog (Songwriters Hall of Fame). He has won an Academy Award (Oscar), multiple Grammy Awards, and Golden Globe Awards and is an inductee of the Songwriters Hall of Fame (Paul Williams Official Site).
“Paul Williams is one of the most beloved and respected music creators in the world today.”
– Songwriters Hall of Fame profile, Institutional profile writer
“As President and Chairman of the Board of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), he is also a leading spokesman for music creators in the digital age.”
– Songwriters Hall of Fame profile, Institutional profile writer
britannica.com, facebook.com, artists.spotify.com, en.wikipedia.org, instagram.com
For a deeper look at each of these individuals, check out this overview of the four notable Paul Williams figures who share the name.
FAQ
What song did Paul Williams write for Barbra Streisand?
Paul Williams co-wrote “Evergreen” with Barbra Streisand for the 1976 film A Star Is Born. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song (Songwriters Hall of Fame).
Did Paul Williams ever marry?
Paul Williams the songwriter has been married three times. He married his first wife in 1970, his second wife in 1980, and his current wife in 2003.
Where is Paul Williams journalist now?
The Irish crime journalist Paul Williams writes for the Irish Independent as of 2024.
What song has made the most money in royalties of all time?
The highest-earning song in history is “Happy Birthday to You,” which generates approximately $2 million in royalties annually. This is unrelated to any Paul Williams.
Paul Williams death
Only one of the four notable Paul Williamses has died: Paul Williams (Temptations singer) died on August 17, 1973 in Detroit, Michigan from a gunshot wound ruled a suicide (Encyclopaedia Britannica). The songwriter, boxer, and journalist are all still alive as of 2024.