Robin Williams was an American actor and comedian renowned for his television, film, and stage performances in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. With his exceptional improvisational skills and wide-ranging acting abilities, he took on significant roles in both comedy and drama genres.

Early Life and Education

Robin McLaurin Williams was born on 21 July 1951 in Chicago Illinois. He was the great-grandson of Anselm J. McLaurin, a former governor and senator of Mississippi. His mother Laurie McLaurin was a former model from Mississippi and his father Robert Fitzgerald Williams worked as an executive at Ford Motor Company in Indiana.

He initially studied political science at Claremont Men’s College before beginning his theater training at the College of Marin. He was later accepted into the Juilliard School in New York where he continued his theater education.

Television Career

Williams first gained attention for his portrayal of the character “Mork from Ork” in a 1974 episode of the television series Happy Days. This character was adapted into the television series Mork & Mindy which premiered in 1978 and brought him widespread recognition. The series earned Williams a Golden Globe and became one of the foundational milestones of his television career.

Film Career

Robin Williams took his first leading film role in Robert Altman’s Whiffs (1980). Throughout his career he appeared in numerous films across both comedy and drama genres.

He was known for his improvisational performances in comedy roles and placed great importance on improvisation much like his idol Jonathan Winters.

He also gained acclaim for his dramatic roles. Notable films in this genre include:

• Good Morning Vietnam (1987)
• The Dead Poets Society (1989)
• The Fisher King (1991)
• Good Will Hunting (1997)

For his performance in Good Will Hunting he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1998.

He also reached wide audiences through family-oriented films:

• Hook (1991)
• Aladdin (1992) (voice of the Genie)
• The Nutty Professor (1993)
• Jumanji (1995)
• Bicentennial Man (1999)
• Night at the Museum (2006)
• Night at the Museum trilogy (2006–2014)

These films were especially popular among children and families.

Other significant films aimed at adult audiences include:

• The World According to Garp (1982)
• Moscow on the Hudson (1984)
• Awakenings (1990)
• The Birdcage (1996)
• One Hour Photo (2002)
• Insomnia (2002)
• Big Daddy (2009)
• Boulevard (2014)

Death

Robin Williams was found dead in his home in Tiburon California on 11 August 2014. According to the Marin County Sheriff’s Office a 911 call was received at 11:55 PDT and officers arrived at the scene at 12:00. Williams was pronounced dead at 12:02. His death sparked widespread reactions around the world. Local law enforcement stated that the 63-year-old Academy Award winner had died by suicide by hanging himself with a belt.

A Written Tribute After Robin Williams’ Death (Anadolu Agency)

Awards

Academy Awards

• Best Supporting Actor: Good Will Hunting (1998)

Golden Globe Awards

• Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy: Good Morning Vietnam (1988) The Fisher King (1992) The Nutty Professor (1994)
• Cecil B. DeMille Award for Lifetime Achievement: 2005
• Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy: The Nutty Professor (1994)

Grammy Awards

• Best Comedy Album: Reality... What a Concept (1980) A Night at the Met (1988) Good Morning Vietnam (1989) Live 2002 (2003)
• Best Children’s Album: Pecos Bill (1989)

Emmy Awards

• Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: A Carol Burnett Special (1987) ABC Presents a Royal Gala (1988)

Other Awards

• Disney Legend (2009)
• People’s Choice Awards
• MTV Movie Awards: Best Comedy Performance (Aladdin The Nutty Professor)
• National Board of Review Award for Best Actor (Awakenings 1990)
• TV Land Awards Nickelodeon Awards and Writers Guild of America Awards