Robin Williams

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Robin Williams
Born	Robin McLaurin Williams (1951-07-21)July 21, 1951 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died	August 11, 2014(2014-08-11) (aged 63) Paradise Cay, California, U.S.
Alma mater	Juilliard School
Occupation	Actor, comedian
Years active	1976–2014
Spouse(s)	Valerie Velardi (m. 1978; div. 1988) Marsha Garces (m. 1989; div. 2010) Susan Schneider (m. 2011)
Children	3, including Zelda Williams
Awards	Academy Award, Primetime Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, Grammy Award

Robin McLaurin Williams (July 21, 1951 – August 11, 2014) was an American actor and comedian. Known for his improvisational skills and the wide variety of characters he created on the spur of the moment and portrayed on film, in dramas and comedies alike, he is often regarded as one of the greatest comedians of all time.

Early Life

Robin Williams was born on July 21, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of Laurie McLaurin, a former model, and Robert Fitzgerald Williams, a senior executive at Ford Motor Company. Williams was raised in the Episcopal Church and grew up in the affluent suburbs of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and later Marin County, California.

Education

Williams attended Claremont McKenna College (then known as Claremont Men's College) before enrolling at the College of Marin to study theater. He later earned a full scholarship to the Juilliard School in New York City, where he was one of only two students accepted into the advanced program in 1973, the other being Christopher Reeve.

Career

Stand-Up Comedy

Williams began performing stand-up comedy in the mid-1970s in the San Francisco Bay Area. His energetic style and quick wit quickly gained him a following. He became a regular at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles and gained national attention with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork & Mindy (1978–1982).

Film Career

Williams made his film debut in Popeye (1980) and went on to star in numerous successful films, including Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), Dead Poets Society (1989), Aladdin (1992), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Jumanji (1995), Good Will Hunting (1997), and Night at the Museum (2006). He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Good Will Hunting.

Television

In addition to Mork & Mindy, Williams appeared in several television shows and specials, including The Richard Pryor Show and Whose Line Is It Anyway?. He also voiced characters in animated series such as The Simpsons.

Personal Life

Williams was married three times and had three children. His first marriage was to Valerie Velardi, with whom he had a son, Zachary. He then married Marsha Garces, his son Zachary's nanny, and they had two children, Zelda and Cody. His third marriage was to Susan Schneider.

Death

Robin Williams died by suicide on August 11, 2014, at his home in Paradise Cay, California. He had been suffering from severe depression and was posthumously diagnosed with Lewy body dementia.

Legacy

Williams is remembered for his contributions to comedy and film, his charitable work, and his ability to bring joy to millions. He left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry and continues to be celebrated for his talent and generosity.

Related Pages

• List of awards and nominations received by Robin Williams
• Mork & Mindy
• Good Will Hunting
• Dead Poets Society
• Aladdin (1992 Disney film)
• Mrs. Doubtfire
• Jumanji
• Night at the Museum