The world premiere and panel discussion of the new PBS documentary Hollywood’s Architect: The Paul R. Williams Story tells the story of African American architect Paul R. Williams as he defied the odds to become one of the most notable architects in history. Known as the “Architect to the Stars” Williams designed homes for celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, Barbara Stanwyck, William Holden, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Williams also participated in the planning of some of LA’s most iconic landmarks like the Beverly Hills Hotel and LAX International Airport, forever defining the landscape of Southern California.
A co-production of PBS SoCal and RKR Media, the film is narrated by Tony and Emmy® award-winning actor Courtney B. Vance. Interviewees include grandchildren of Paul R. Williams Karen Hudson Freeman and Paul Hudson, family friend Quincy Jones as well as Paul R. Williams homeowners Robert Iger, Pauletta Washington, Steve Tisch and more. Notable interviews from the architectural world include Smithsonian Institution’s Dr. Lonnie Bunch, LA Conservancy’s Linda Dishman, the City of Los Angeles’s Chief Design Officer Christopher Hawthorne and architectural historian Dr. Wesley Henderson.
The film premieres Thurs., Feb. 6, at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal and will encore on Sun., Feb. 23 at 4 p.m. on KCET (in conjunction with other Black History Month programming). The film also airs on the WORLD Channel and other PBS stations nationwide. Check local listings. Following the broadcast, the film will stream at pbssocal.org/hollywoodsarchitect and on the free PBS Video app (available on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, the App Store and Google Play).
