Who was Robin Williams? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Robin McLaurin Williams

Died At Age: 63

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Susan Schneider (m. 2011), Marsha Garces (m. 1989–2008), Valerie Velardi (m. 1978–1988)

father: Robert Williams

mother: Laurie Williams

siblings: Robert Todd Williams

children: Cody Alan Williams, Zachary Pym Williams, Zelda Rae Williams

Born Country: United States

Actors Comedians

Height: 5'7" (170 cm), 5'7" Males

Died on: August 11, 2014

place of death: Paradise Cay, California, United States

City: Chicago, Illinois

Notable Alumni: Juilliard School, Claremont McKenna College, College Of Marin

Personality: ENFP

U.S. State: Illinois

Cause of Death: Suicide

More Facts

education: Juilliard School, Claremont McKenna College, College Of Marin

Recommended For You

1

What movies did Robin Williams star in?

Robin Williams starred in several popular movies, including "Good Will Hunting," "Dead Poets Society," "Mrs. Doubtfire," "Aladdin," and "Jumanji."
2

Did Robin Williams have any comedy specials?

Yes, Robin Williams had several comedy specials, including "Live at the Met," "An Evening with Robin Williams," "Weapons of Self Destruction," and "Robin Williams: Live on Broadway."
3

What was Robin Williams' role in the TV show Mork & Mindy?

In the TV show "Mork & Mindy," Robin Williams played the role of Mork, an alien from the planet Ork who comes to Earth to learn about human behavior.
4

Did Robin Williams do any voice acting in animated films?

Yes, Robin Williams lent his voice to several animated films, most notably as the Genie in Disney's "Aladdin" and as Ramon and Lovelace in "Happy Feet."
5

What was Robin Williams' involvement in charity work?

Robin Williams was actively involved in charity work and supported various causes, including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Comic Relief, and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

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Childhood & Early Life

He was born to Robert Fitzgerald Williams and Laurie McLaurin in Chicago as one of their three sons. His father worked as a senior executive at Ford Motor Company while his mother had been a former model. He was of mixed ancestry.

His family moved to Michigan when he was a young kid and there he joined the Detroit Country Day School. He was a very good student and also played sports. Yet, he was bullied much of the time in school.

He was an introvert and spent much of his time alone playing with his toys. Since both his parents worked, the lonely child entertained himself with his imagination.

As a teenager he attended Redwood High School from where he graduated in 1969. He was a popular student in school, always telling jokes and making others laugh.

He had a penchant for acting from a young age and won a full scholarship to attend the esteemed Juilliard School in New York City in 1973. He was among the only two students who were accepted by John Houseman into the Advanced Program that year. Christopher Reeve and William Hurt were his classmates.

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Career

He began his career performing stand up comedy shows during the 1970s. While he was performing at the Comedy Club in Los Angeles in 1977, he was spotted by the TV producer George Schlatter who asked him to appear on a revival of his ‘Laugh-In’ show.

His debut TV appearance happened in late 1977 where he performed an extension of his stand-up routines. Even though the Laugh-In was not a success, it definitely led to his talent getting recognized.

He auditioned for the role of Mork the Alien for the show ‘Happy Days’ in 1978. When asked to take a seat, he promptly sat on his head which really impressed the producer, Garry Marshall. The character was so successful that it set off a spin-off.

The American sitcom ‘Mork & Mindy’ was first broadcast in 1978 featuring Robin as Mork the Alien from the planet Ork. The show was a huge success and made him a popular figure in comedy. The show ran till 1982.

In 1979, he gave a live comedy show at the Copacabana in New York, ‘Reality… What a Concept’ the recording of which won him a Grammy Award.

Even though he had made his big screen debut in 1977 with the comedy movie, ‘Can I Do It ‘Till I Need Glasses?’, it wasn’t until 1980 that he got his first big break with ‘Popeye’ in which he played Popeye the Sailor Man.

More roles soon followed and in 1984 he found himself playing the role of Vladimir Ivanoff in the comedy-drama ‘Moscow on the Hudson’ for which he was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.

He portrayed a radio DJ on Armed Forces Radio Service in the 1987 war comedy film, ‘Good Morning, Vietnam’, a movie in which his character was loosely based on the life of radio DJ Adrian Cronauer.

In 1989, he appeared in the drama film ‘Dead Poets Society’ which was about the story of an English teacher in a conservative academy who inspires his students by teaching them poetry. The movie was a huge hit.

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One of his most memorable comedy films was ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ (1993) in which he pretends to be a woman so that he can be closer to the kids he has with his ex-wife.

The year 1997 was a good one for him as he got the opportunity to star in the brilliant movie, ‘Good Will Hunting’ in which he plays the role of a therapist who counsels a troubled yet hugely talented young man. The movie won him many accolades.

The success of his career continued well into the new millennium where he performed in movies such as ‘One Hour Photo’ (2002), ‘Robots’ (2005), ‘License to Wed’ (2007), and ‘Old Dogs’ (2009).

Over the past few years his depression had been worsening and he was also having problems with alcoholism. He died suddenly in 2014; some of his movies like ‘Merry Friggin’ Christmas’ and ‘Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb’ are scheduled for posthumous release.

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Major Works

He was best known for his role as a therapist in the 1997 drama film ‘Good Will Hunting’ which was both a critical and commercial success. He shared the screen with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in this much acclaimed movie.

Awards & Achievements

Hewas nominated for the Academy Award for the Best Actor thrice. In 1997 he won the Academy Award for the Best Supporting Actor for his role as Dr. Sean Maguire in the film ‘Good Will Hunting’.

Personal Life & Legacy

Williams married thrice. His first marriage was to Valarie Velardi in 1978 with whom he had a son. Their marriage unraveled due to his alcoholism and infidelity.

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He married Marsha Garces, his son’s nanny, in 1989. The couple went on to have two children. This marriage too, did not last long and ended in divorce.

His third marriage was to graphic designer Susan Schneider in 2011.

Williams had always had problems with alcoholism and drug abuse. He also suffered from depression. He was discovered unconscious by his personal assistant on 11 August 2014 and the doctors declared him dead shortly afterwards. His death is believed to be a result of suicide.

Facts About Robin Williams

Robin Williams was a devoted fan of video games and was known to spend hours playing games like The Legend of Zelda and World of Warcraft.

He was an avid cyclist and often used biking as a way to relax and stay active.

Robin Williams was a talented mimic and could imitate a wide range of accents and voices, which he often incorporated into his comedic performances.

In addition to his acting talents, Williams was also an accomplished painter and enjoyed creating artwork in his spare time.

He was passionate about philanthropy and supported numerous charitable causes throughout his life, including organizations focused on children's health and education.

1994	Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical	Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
1992	Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical	The Fisher King (1991)
1988	Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical	Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)
1979	Best Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical	Mork & Mindy (1978)

1988	Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program	ABC Presents: A Royal Gala (1988)
1987	Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program	Carol, Carl, Whoopi and Robin (1987)

1994	Best Comedic Performance	Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
1993	Best Comedic Performance	Aladdin (1992)

2009	Favorite Scene Stealing Guest Star	Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999)
2008	Favorite Funny Male Star	Winner
2007	Favorite Funny Male Star	Winner
1994	Favorite Comedy Motion Picture Actor	Winner
1979	Favorite Male Performer in a New TV Program	Winner

2003	Best Spoken Comedy Album	Robin Williams Live on Broadway (2002)
1989	Best Comedy Recording	Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)
1989	Best Recording for Children	Winner
1988	Best Comedy Recording	Robin Williams: Live at the Met (1986)
1980	Best Comedy Recording	Winner

Robin Williams Biography

You wanted to know

What movies did Robin Williams star in?

Did Robin Williams have any comedy specials?

What was Robin Williams' role in the TV show Mork & Mindy?

Did Robin Williams do any voice acting in animated films?

What was Robin Williams' involvement in charity work?