Bill Conti, born William Conti on April 13, 1942, in Providence, Rhode Island, is a distinguished American composer and conductor renowned for his contributions to film and television music. He is best known for composing the iconic scores for the Rocky film series, which began with Rocky in 1976. The film's theme song, "Gonna Fly Now," became a cultural phenomenon, reaching number one on the Billboard charts in 1977 and earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. Conti's work on Rocky also garnered a Golden Globe nomination and a Grammy nomination for Best Original Score.

Conti's illustrious career includes composing scores for other notable films such as The Karate Kid series, For Your Eyes Only, and The Right Stuff, the latter of which won him an Academy Award for Best Original Score in 1983. He has received multiple Oscar nominations, including for the title song of For Your Eyes Only and "Gonna Fly Now" from Rocky.

In addition to his film work, Conti has made significant contributions to television, earning ten Emmy nominations. He served as the musical director for the Academy Awards a record nineteen times. Conti's compositions have sold over eight million albums, and he remains in high demand as a conductor for symphony orchestras across the United States.

Educated at Louisiana State University and the Juilliard School of Music, Conti began his career orchestrating for Italian film composers and has since collaborated with director John G. Avildsen on numerous projects. His achievements have been recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the ASCAP Golden Soundtrack Award for lifetime achievement.

Conti is married to Shelby Cox, whom he met at Louisiana State University, and they have two children. His enduring legacy in the music industry is marked by his ability to create memorable and impactful scores that resonate with audiences worldwide.