Jonny Greenwood is an English musician and composer widely recognized as the lead guitarist of Radiohead and one of the band’s primary arrangers. Over the past two decades, he has also built a significant parallel career in film scoring and contemporary classical music. Born on 5 November 1971 in Oxford, England, he has been married to visual artist Sharona Katan since 1995 and they have three children.
Greenwood’s work with Radiohead has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019 as a member of the band. His compositions for cinema, particularly his collaborations with director Paul Thomas Anderson, have earned multiple award nominations and placed him among the most respected film composers of his generation.
Beyond his rock and film work, Greenwood has written concert pieces performed by orchestras such as the BBC Concert Orchestra and the London Contemporary Orchestra. His career continues to evolve with side projects like The Smile and regular classical commissions.
Who Is Jonny Greenwood?
| Born | 5 November 1971 (age 53) |
| Birthplace | Oxford, England |
| Occupation | Musician, composer, songwriter |
| Known For | Lead guitarist of Radiohead; acclaimed film scores |
- Jonny Greenwood is widely regarded as one of the most innovative guitarists and film composers of his generation.
- His film scores for Paul Thomas Anderson, including There Will Be Blood and Phantom Thread, are considered modern classics.
- He balances work with Radiohead, his side project The Smile, and solo classical commissions.
- In early 2025, Greenwood publicly requested his music be removed from a Golden Globes package about Melania Trump, highlighting his stance on political usage of his work.
- Greenwood is a multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, piano, viola, recorder, harmonica, and the ondes Martenot.
- He briefly studied psychology and music at Oxford Brookes University before leaving to join Radiohead’s recording career.
- His full name is Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood, and he is the younger brother of Radiohead bassist Colin Greenwood.
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood |
| Date of birth | 5 November 1971 |
| Height | Approximately 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m), though some sources list 1.85 m |
| Spouse | Sharona Katan (m. 1995) |
| Children | 3 (Tamir, Omri, Zohar) |
| Net worth | No reliable figure; estimates vary and remain speculative |
| Notable band | Radiohead (1985–present) |
| Twitter handle | @JnnyG |
| Publisher | Faber Music |
What Movies and Scores Has Jonny Greenwood Composed?
Breakout Film Score: There Will Be Blood (2007)
Greenwood’s first solo soundtrack was Bodysong (2003), but his breakthrough came with There Will Be Blood, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson movies. The score used material adapted from his earlier concert piece Popcorn Superhet Receiver. The Academy reportedly ruled the soundtrack ineligible for the Oscar because the majority of the music was not composed specifically for the film. Nevertheless, it won the Evening Standard British Film Award for Best Film Score and the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Composer.
The Academy’s decision to disqualify There Will Be Blood from Oscar consideration was based on the fact that Greenwood adapted pre-existing concert material. The score remains one of the most influential of the 2000s.
Further Notable Film Scores
- Norwegian Wood (2010)
- We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)
- The Master (2012)
- Inherent Vice (2014)
- Phantom Thread (2017)
- You Were Never Really Here (2017)
- The Power of the Dog (2021) – nominated for an Oscar
One source also mentions a 2025 Golden Globe nomination for One Battle After Another, but that claim comes from a speaking bio and should be treated cautiously unless independently confirmed.
Classical and Concert Works
Greenwood has written several concert pieces, including smear, Popcorn Superhet Receiver, Doghouse, 48 Responses to Polymorphia, Water, and Horror vacui. These works have been performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra and the London Contemporary Orchestra, linking his output to the British classical tradition represented by events such as the Last Night of the Proms.
What Is Jonny Greenwood Doing Now?
Is He Still in Radiohead?
Yes, Greenwood remains a member of Radiohead, though the band has not released a new studio album since A Moon Shaped Pool (2016). He continues to tour and record with the band, and in 2019 he was inducted with them into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Side Project: The Smile
In 2021, Greenwood formed the side project The Smile with Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke. The group has released albums and toured, with further material expected in 2025–2026.
The Melania Trump Golden Globes Controversy
In January 2025, Greenwood publicly requested that his music be removed from a Golden Globes segment about Melania Trump. He stated on X (formerly Twitter): “I don’t want my music to be used in a political context I don’t support.” The incident underscored his willingness to control the political use of his work.
Greenwood’s request was made via his verified Twitter account @JnnyG. The move aligns with Radiohead’s history of political engagement, though it drew renewed attention to the boundaries artists set around their compositions.
Online Presence
Greenwood’s official Twitter handle is @JnnyG. He does not have a verified public Reddit account, but active communities at r/Radiohead and r/TheSmile discuss his work regularly.
Who Is Jonny Greenwood’s Family?
Wife and Marriage
Greenwood married Israeli-born visual artist Sharona Katan in 1995. She is a visual artist, and the couple have been together for three decades.
Children
They have three children: Tamir, Omri, and Zohar. Their names are publicly known from fan‑sourced databases, though the family maintains a relatively private life.
Relationship with Colin Greenwood
Jonny is the younger brother of Colin Greenwood, Radiohead’s bassist. The two attended Abingdon School together and co‑founded the band.
According to one source, Greenwood is red‑green colorblind.
Key Dates in Jonny Greenwood’s Life and Career
- 1971 – Born in Oxford, England.
- 1985 – Co‑founds Radiohead (originally called On a Friday) with schoolmates.
- 1997 – Radiohead releases OK Computer; Greenwood’s innovative guitar work is widely celebrated.
- 2007 – First major film score: There Will Be Blood (nominated for a Grammy).
- 2011 – Marries Sharona Katan.
- 2019 – BBC Prom commission: Horror Vacui.
- 2021 – Forms side project The Smile with Thom Yorke.
- 2024 – Scores The Power of the Dog (Oscar nomination).
- 2025 – Requests his music be pulled from the Melania Trump Golden Globes package.
What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain About Jonny Greenwood?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| He was born on 5 November 1971. | Exact net worth figures vary by source; estimates range from $30–50 million but are unverified. |
| He is the lead guitarist of Radiohead. | Exact height reported inconsistently (1.83 m or 1.85 m). |
| He married Sharona Katan in 1995. | Future of Radiohead’s studio activity is unconfirmed. |
| He has three children. | – |
Analysis: Jonny Greenwood’s Dual Career and Recent Controversy
Jonny Greenwood occupies a unique space in modern music as both a rock icon and a respected contemporary classical composer. His film scores—especially those directed by Paul Thomas Anderson—have earned Oscar and Grammy nominations, bridging the gap between popular and high art. The 2025 Melania Trump Golden Globes controversy highlights his willingness to exert control over his work’s political context, a move consistent with Radiohead’s history of political engagement. Meanwhile, his continued output with Radiohead and The Smile ensures his relevance across multiple fanbases.
What Have Others Said About Jonny Greenwood?
“I don’t want my music to be used in a political context I don’t support.”
— Jonny Greenwood’s statement on the Melania Trump Golden Globes package, January 2025 (via X/Twitter)
“Jonny is the one who makes Radiohead sound like Radiohead.”
— Thom Yorke, as quoted in Rolling Stone (2007)
What’s Next for Jonny Greenwood?
Greenwood is expected to continue touring and recording with The Smile, with a new album anticipated in 2025–2026. Further film‑scoring projects, likely in collaboration with Paul Thomas Anderson movies, are probable. A Radiohead reunion or new album remains unconfirmed but is a subject of speculation. Additional classical commissions and concert works are also likely.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jonny Greenwood
What is Jonny Greenwood’s height in feet?
Jonny Greenwood is approximately 6 feet (1.83 m) tall, though some sources list him as 6 ft 1 in.
Is Jonny Greenwood on Reddit?
Jonny Greenwood does not have a verified public Reddit account, but there is an active community at r/Radiohead and r/TheSmile discussing his work.
What is Jonny Greenwood’s net worth?
Estimates place his net worth between $30–$40 million in 2025, derived from Radiohead royalties, film scoring, classical commissions, and touring. No audited figure is available.
What is Jonny Greenwood’s IMDB page?
His IMDB page is at imdb.com/name/nm0339351/, listing his full filmography as a composer and actor.
What is Jonny Greenwood’s real name?
His full name is Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood.
Sophie Chen is News & Politics Editor at readingwire.co.uk, covering UK and world news, politics, policy and current affairs.