Robin Williams
Born 1951 · Age 74
American actor and comedian known for manic improvisational stand-up and a wide range of film roles; winner of an Academy Award, multiple Emmys, Golden Globes and Grammys.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth in Chicago, Illinois
Robin McLaurin Williams born at St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago to Robert Fitzgerald Williams and Laurie McLaurin.
Family move to Detroit (father transferred)
Family moved after father's transfer; attended Detroit Country Day School and lived in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Enrolled at Claremont Men's College (political science)
Began college studies in political science at Claremont Men's College before shifting toward acting.
High school graduation (Redwood High School)
Graduated Redwood High School in Tiburon/Larkspur area; voted 'Most Likely Not to Succeed' and 'Funniest'.
Studied theatre at College of Marin
Transferred/studied theatre at College of Marin; performed in roles (notably Fagin in Oliver!) and developed improvisation skills.
Awarded full scholarship to Juilliard School
Received full scholarship to Juilliard (Group 6, 1973–1976); classmates included Christopher Reeve, William Hurt, Mandy Patinkin.
Worked summers as busser at The Trident
Worked at The Trident in Sausalito during summers 1974–1976 while at Juilliard.
Met future first wife Valerie Velardi
Met Valerie Velardi while working as a bartender in San Francisco.
Left Juilliard; began full-time comedy
Left Juilliard during junior year at John Houseman's suggestion and returned to California to pursue stand-up.
First performances and Holy City Zoo
Began performing stand-up in San Francisco Bay Area; first performed (and tended bar) at Holy City Zoo.
Moved to Los Angeles; TV appearances
Moved to LA and performed at The Comedy Store; was seen by producer George Schlatter and appeared on Laugh-In revival and HBO's LA Improv.
First credited film role (Can I Do It 'Til I Need Glasses?)
Small part in the low-budget comedy released in 1977; earliest film credit.
Mork & Mindy premiered (lead role)
Spin-off sitcom Mork & Mindy (1978–1982) starring Williams; the series let him transfer stand-up energy to TV and launched his stardom.
TV breakout: 'My Favorite Orkan' / Mork guest appearance
Guest-starred as Mork on Happy Days in episode 'My Favorite Orkan'; improvisational Mork caught public attention.
Married Valerie Velardi
Married Valerie Velardi after a live-in relationship; later had one child together (Zak).
Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album (Reality... What a Concept)
Won a Grammy for the recording of his live Copacabana show (Reality ... What a Concept).
Rolling Stone cover (Aug 23, 1979)
Appeared on the August 23, 1979 cover of Rolling Stone photographed by Richard Avedon.
Cover of Time magazine
Featured on March 12, 1979 Time cover, reflecting cultural prominence after Mork & Mindy success.
Late-1970s/early-1980s cocaine addiction
Developed an addiction to cocaine during the late 1970s and into the early 1980s; later quit.
First major film lead: Popeye released
Starred as Popeye (1980), his first leading film role (Robert Altman).
Starred in The World According to Garp
One of his early acclaimed film roles (1982); solidified film career beyond TV comedy.
Friend John Belushi's death prompts life changes
John Belushi's overdose death (March 5, 1982) was a wake-up call; Williams later quit drugs and alcohol and focused on health and cycling.
Birth of son Zachary 'Zak' Williams
First child Zachary Pym 'Zak' Williams born April 11, 1983 (to Valerie Velardi).
Begins hosting Comic Relief specials (philanthropy)
From 1986 Williams hosted TV specials for Comic Relief alongside Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg, raising millions for homeless assistance (reported total > $80M).
A Night at the Met (stand-up release)
Released the stand-up special A Night at the Met (1986).
Co-hosted the 58th Academy Awards
Served as co-host of the Oscars ceremony in 1986, showing industry status.
Breakthrough dramatic role: Good Morning, Vietnam
Starred as Adrian Cronauer (1987); earned his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Divorce from Valerie Velardi finalized
Divorce finalized in 1988 after separation; reported affair with children's nanny earlier.
Oscar nomination for Dead Poets Society (1989)
Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for Dead Poets Society (1989).
Birth of daughter Zelda Rae Williams
Daughter Zelda born July 31, 1989 (mother: Marsha Garces).
The Fisher King (1991) & Hook (1991)
Starred in The Fisher King (Oscar nomination for Supporting Actor) and as Peter Pan in Hook (1991).
Birth of son Cody Alan Williams
Third child Cody born November 25, 1991 (mother: Marsha Garces).
Voice of the Genie in Disney's Aladdin
Voiced the Genie (improvised extensively; recorded ~30 hours); film became highest-grossing of 1992 and earned awards and acclaim.
Mrs. Doubtfire released (major box-office success)
Starred in Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), a massive box-office hit; won various awards including Golden Globe recognition.
Starred in The Birdcage and Jack (mid-1990s roles)
Continued high-profile roles in both comedy and drama through the 1990s (e.g., The Birdcage, Jack).
Starred in and contributed to Good Will Hunting (1997)
Played Sean Maguire; film earned critical acclaim; led to Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (awarded 1998).
Won Academy Award – Best Supporting Actor (Good Will Hunting)
Won Oscar for Best Supporting Actor at the 1998 Academy Awards for Good Will Hunting (1997 film).
Founded Windfall Foundation (philanthropy)
He and wife Marsha founded the Windfall Foundation to raise funds for various charities; participated in charity singles and events in Dec 1999.
Robin Williams: Live on Broadway Grammy/record success
Live on Broadway was a major stand-up success and broke records for comedy shows; contributed to his Grammy tally (multiple Grammys across career).
Robin Williams: Live on Broadway (stand-up special/release)
Released Live on Broadway as an album and video after a successful 2002 stand-up performance.
Relapse: Alcohol use during filming in Alaska
Reported to have resumed drinking while working on a film in Alaska in 2003.
Ranked 13th on Comedy Central's '100 Greatest Stand-ups'
Comedy Central ranked Williams 13th in its list of the 100 greatest stand-ups of all time.
Received Cecil B. DeMille Award
Honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award (Golden Globes) in 2005 for outstanding contribution to entertainment.
Starred in Night at the Museum; voiced in Happy Feet
Played Teddy Roosevelt in Night at the Museum (and its later sequels) and provided a voice in Happy Feet (2006).
Checked into substance-abuse rehabilitation
Admitted to a rehab center in Newberg, Oregon, saying he was an alcoholic.
Announced Weapons of Self Destruction tour (26-city)
Announced a 26-city stand-up tour titled Weapons of Self Destruction; tour ran into 2009 and had an HBO special.
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian & Old Dogs
Reprised role as Teddy Roosevelt in the 2009 Night at the Museum sequel and starred in Old Dogs (Nov 2009).
Named Disney Legend
Honored as a Disney Legend in 2009, recognizing his contribution (notably as Genie in Aladdin).
Heart surgery (valve replacement & repairs)
Underwent surgery at the Cleveland Clinic to replace an aortic valve, repair a mitral valve, and correct an irregular heartbeat; paused tour.
Divorce from Marsha Garces finalized
Divorce from second wife Marsha Garces, with whom he had two children, was finalized in 2010 (filed 2008).
Voiced Lovelace in Happy Feet Two
Reprised voice role in animated sequel Happy Feet Two (2011).
Broadway debut: Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
Made Broadway acting debut in Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (March–July 2011 run).
Married Susan Schneider
Married artist and graphic designer Susan Schneider on October 22, 2011, in St. Helena, California.
Returned to TV: The Crazy Ones premiered
Co-starred with Sarah Michelle Gellar in CBS sitcom The Crazy Ones (premiered fall 2013); series cancelled after one season in 2014.
Film roles: The Big Wedding and The Butler
Appeared in The Big Wedding and portrayed President Dwight D. Eisenhower in Lee Daniels' The Butler (2013).
Starred in The Angriest Man in Brooklyn (2014)
Played Henry Altmann in The Angriest Man in Brooklyn (2014).
Posthumous film releases (2014–2015)
Several films released after his death: A Merry Friggin' Christmas and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (late 2014); Boulevard released 2015; Absolutely Anything also released posthumously.
Death by suicide in Paradise Cay, California
Found dead at his home on August 11, 2014; public statement cited severe depression. Body cremated; ashes scattered over San Francisco Bay.
Susan Schneider disclosed Parkinson's diagnosis
Wife Susan Schneider revealed Williams had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and suffered depression and anxiety.
Autopsy and Lewy body disease findings reported
Autopsy (Nov 2014) found 'diffuse Lewy body disease'; specialists said his symptoms were consistent with Lewy body dementia.
Estate legal settlement (October 2015)
Dispute between widow Susan Schneider and his children over estate settled out of court in October 2015.
Golden Gate Park Meadow renamed 'Robin Williams Meadow'
Sharon Meadow in Golden Gate Park was renamed Robin Williams Meadow in 2017 in his honor; posthumous public recognition.
HBO documentary 'Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind'
HBO released a documentary (2018) directed by Marina Zenovich chronicling his career and final years.
First grandchild born (May 2019)
Zak Williams and his fiancée announced birth of their son McLaurin 'Mickey' Clement Williams in May 2019 (Robin's first grandchild).
Documentary 'Robin's Wish' featuring Susan Schneider
Documentary (2020) explored Williams' final days and battle with Lewy body disease; widow Susan Schneider participated.
Key Achievement Ages
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