Born Wilbur Jennings, he is a prolific and highly successful American songwriter who has written songs for a number of motion picture soundtracks and numerous popular singers including Roy Orbison, Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton, and Celine Dion. He has received the following awards:
Academy Award (1997), Golden Globe Award (1997), Grammy Award for writing the song:
- "My Heart Will Go On" performed by Celine Dion for the Motion Picture Titanic.
Academy Award (1983), Golden Globe Award (1983) for writing the song:
- "Up Where We Belong" performed by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes from the motion picture An Officer And A Gentleman.
- Grammy Award (1993) -- "Tears In Heaven" (shared with Eric Clapton)
- Grammy Award (nomination) (1986) -- "Higher Love"
- Grammy Award (1982) -- "I'll Never Love This Way Again"
- Academy Award (nomination) (1980) -- for writing the song "People Alone" for the motion picture The Competition.