Robin Williams

Robin Williams - Stand-up Comedians, Timeline and Family

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Robin Williams's Personal Details

Robin Williams was an American actor best known for his performance in the movie ‘Good Will Hunting’

InformationDetail
BirthdayJuly 21, 1951
Died onAugust 11, 2014
NationalityAmerican
FamousJuilliard School, Film & Theater Personalities, Actors, Comedians, Voice Actors, ENFP, Stand-up Comedians
City/StateIllinois
SpousesSusan Schneider
SiblingsRobert Todd Williams
Known asRobin McLaurin Williams
ChildrensCody Alan Williams, Zachary Pym Williams, Zelda Rae Williams
Universities
  • Juilliard School
  • Detroit Country Day School
  • Redwood High School
  • Claremont McKenna College
Notable Alumnis
  • Juilliard School
Cause of death
  • Suicide
Birth PlaceChicago
Diseases DisabilitiesDepression
GenderMale
FatherRobert Williams
MotherLaurie Williams
Net Worth$130 million
Sun SignCancer
Born inChicago
Famous asAmerican stand-up comedian
Died at Age63

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Robin Williams's photo

Who is Robin Williams?

Robin Williams, the funnyman who made not just America but the whole world laugh at his wonderful antics, was an American actor and comedian loved equally by both kids and adults for his quirky expressions, charming clumsiness, and innocent yet witty dialogues. Even though more famous as a comedian, Williams was a very talented personality who could pull off a very serious role with the same ease as he performed a comedic one. Thrice nominated for the coveted Academy Awards, he won it once for his much acclaimed performance in the movie ‘Good Will Hunting’. The son of a senior executive, showbiz seemed to be an unlikely career path for the young Robin. As a boy he always joked around at school and made others laugh with his jokes, no doubt his classmates voted him the “Funniest”! He began his career as a stand-up comedian where he found success. One thing led to another and soon he was on television doing comedy shows. The hit sitcom ‘Mork & Mindy’ made him so popular that he realized that he was meant for greater success. Thus, he entered the world of movies and became the funnyman everyone fell in love with.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Robin Williams's awards

YearNameAward

Academy Awards(Oscars)

1998Best Actor in a Supporting RoleGood Will Hunting (1997)

Golden Globe Awards

1994Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or MusicalMrs. Doubtfire (1993)
1992Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or MusicalThe Fisher King (1991)
1988Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or MusicalGood Morning, Vietnam (1987)
1979Best Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or MusicalMork & Mindy (1978)

Primetime Emmy Awards

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

Grammy Awards

2003Best Spoken Comedy AlbumRobin Williams Live on Broadway (2002)
1989Best Recording for ChildrenWinner
1989Best Comedy RecordingGood Morning, Vietnam (1987)
1980Best Comedy RecordingWinner

MTV Movie & TV Awards

1994Best Comedic PerformanceMrs. Doubtfire (1993)
1993Best Comedic PerformanceAladdin (1992)

People's Choice Awards

2009Favorite Scene Stealing Guest StarLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999)
2008Favorite Funny Male StarWinner
2007Favorite Funny Male StarWinner
1994Favorite Comedy Motion Picture ActorWinner
1979Favorite Male Performer in a New TV ProgramWinner

Robin Williams biography timelines

  • // 21st Jul 1951
    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.
  • // 1969
    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.
  • // 1973
    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.
  • // 1977
    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.
  • // 1978
    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.
  • // 1978
    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.
  • // 1979
    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.
  • // 1980
    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.
  • // 1982
    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.
  • // 1984
    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.
  • // 1987
    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.
  • // 1989
    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.
  • // 1989
    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.
  • // 1993
    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.
  • // 1997
    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.
  • // 1997
    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’.
  • // 2011
    His third marriage was to graphic designer Susan Schneider in 2011.

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Robin Williams's FAQ

  • What is Robin Williams birthday?

    Robin Williams was born at 1951-07-21

  • When was Robin Williams died?

    Robin Williams was died at 2014-08-11

  • Where was Robin Williams died?

    Robin Williams was died in California

  • Which age was Robin Williams died?

    Robin Williams was died at age 63

  • Where is Robin Williams's birth place?

    Robin Williams was born in Chicago

  • What is Robin Williams nationalities?

    Robin Williams's nationalities is American

  • Who is Robin Williams spouses?

    Robin Williams's spouses is Susan Schneider

  • Who is Robin Williams siblings?

    Robin Williams's siblings is Robert Todd Williams

  • Who is Robin Williams childrens?

    Robin Williams's childrens is Cody Alan Williams, Zachary Pym Williams, Zelda Rae Williams

  • What was Robin Williams universities?

    Robin Williams studied at Juilliard School, Detroit Country Day School, Redwood High School, Claremont McKenna College

  • What was Robin Williams notable alumnis?

    Robin Williams's notable alumnis is Juilliard School

  • What is Robin Williams's cause of dead?

    Robin Williams dead because of Suicide

  • Who is Robin Williams's father?

    Robin Williams's father is Robert Williams

  • Who is Robin Williams's mother?

    Robin Williams's mother is Laurie Williams

  • What is Robin Williams's sun sign?

    Robin Williams is Cancer

  • How famous is Robin Williams?

    Robin Williams is famouse as American stand-up comedian