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Robin Williams

Born: 1951

Biography

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 regarded as one of the greatest comedians of all time. He received numerous accolades including an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and five Grammy Awards. Williams began performing stand-up comedy in San Francisco and Los Angeles during the mid-1970s, and released several comedy albums including Reality ... What a Concept in 1980. He rose to fame playing the alien Mork in the ABC sitcom Mork & Mindy (1978–1982). He received his first leading film role in Popeye (1980). Williams went on to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Good Will Hunting (1997). His other Oscar-nominated roles were for Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), Dead Poets Society (1989), and The Fisher King (1991). Williams starred in the critically acclaimed dramas The World According to Garp (1982), Moscow on the Hudson (1984), Dead Poets Society (1989), Awakenings (1990), Patch Adams (1998), Insomnia (2002), One Hour Photo (2002), and World's Greatest Dad (2009). He also starred in family films such as Hook (1991), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Jumanji (1995), Jack (1996), Flubber (1997), RV (2006), and the Night at the Museum trilogy (2006–2014). He lent his voice to the animated films Aladdin (1992), Robots (2005), Happy Feet (2006), and its 2011 sequel. Williams was found dead at his home in Paradise Cay, California, in August 2014, at the age of 63. At the time of his suicide, he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. According to his widow, Williams had experienced depression, anxiety, and increasing paranoia. His autopsy found "diffuse Lewy body disease" and Lewy body dementia professionals said his symptoms were consistent with dementia with Lewy bodies.
Known For Acting
Gender Male
Place of Birth Chicago, Illinois, USA
Died 11/08/2014

Resources

Movies

The Fisher King

Parry in The Fisher King

Dead Poets Society

John Keating in Dead Poets Society

Insomnia

Walter Finch in Insomnia

Hook

Peter Banning / Peter Pan in Hook

Good Will Hunting

Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting

A.I. Artificial Intelligence

Dr. Know (voice) in A.I. Artificial Intelligence

Cadillac Man

Joey O'Brien in Cadillac Man

Night at the Museum

Theodore Roosevelt in Night at the Museum

Mrs. Doubtfire

Daniel Hillard / Mrs. Doubtfire in Mrs. Doubtfire

Good Morning, Vietnam

Adrian Cronauer in Good Morning, Vietnam

Aladdin

Genie / Peddler (voice) in Aladdin

Bicentennial Man

Andrew in Bicentennial Man

Hamlet

Osric in Hamlet

Jakob the Liar

Jakob Heym in Jakob the Liar

Patch Adams

Hunter "Patch" Adams in Patch Adams

Deconstructing Harry

Mel in Deconstructing Harry

License to Wed

Reverend Frank in License to Wed

World's Greatest Dad

Lance Clayton in World's Greatest Dad

Robin Williams: Live on Broadway

Himself in Robin Williams: Live on Broadway

Awakenings

Malcolm Sayer in Awakenings

The Birdcage

Armand Goldman in The Birdcage

Popeye

Popeye in Popeye

August Rush

Maxwell "Wizard" Wallace in August Rush

The Final Cut

Alan W. Hakman in The Final Cut

Classic TV Bloopers Uncensored

Mork (archive footage) in Classic TV Bloopers Uncensored

The Best of Times

Jack Dundee in The Best of Times

Old Dogs

Dan in Old Dogs

An Evening with Robin Williams

Himself in An Evening with Robin Williams

Robin Williams: An Evening at the Met

Himself in Robin Williams: An Evening at the Met

The World According to Garp

T.S. Garp in The World According to Garp

Moscow on the Hudson

Vladimir Ivanoff in Moscow on the Hudson

Toys

Leslie Zevo in Toys

Nine Months

Dr. Kosevich in Nine Months

Dead Again

Cozy Carlisle in Dead Again

Jack

Jack Powell in Jack

House of D

Pappass in House of D

Jumanji

Alan Parrish in Jumanji

What Dreams May Come

Chris Nielsen in What Dreams May Come

Shakes the Clown

Mime Class Instructor in Shakes the Clown

The Complete Richard Pryor Roast

in The Complete Richard Pryor Roast

Death to Smoochy

Rainbow Randolph in Death to Smoochy

RV

Bob Munro in RV

Club Paradise

Jack Moniker in Club Paradise

Robots

Fender (voice) in Robots

Flubber

Professor Philip Brainard in Flubber

The Night Listener

Gabriel Noone in The Night Listener

Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction

Himself in Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction

FernGully: The Last Rainforest

Batty Koda (voice) in FernGully: The Last Rainforest

One Hour Photo

Seymour Parrish in One Hour Photo

Fathers' Day

Dale Putley in Fathers' Day

The Big White

Paul Barnell in The Big White

Citizen Steve

Robin Leach in Citizen Steve

Happy Feet

Ramon / Lovelace (voice) in Happy Feet

Return to Sweethaven: A Look Back With Robin And The Altmans

Self (archive footage) in Return to Sweethaven: A Look Back With Robin And The Altmans

Man of the Year

Tom Dobbs in Man of the Year

The Survivors

Donald Quinelle in The Survivors

I Love Liberty

Self in I Love Liberty

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen

King of the Moon in The Adventures of Baron Munchausen

The Aristocrats

Self in The Aristocrats

In Search of Dr. Seuss

The Father in In Search of Dr. Seuss

Being Human

Hector in Being Human

Happy Feet Two

Ramon / Lovelace (voice) in Happy Feet Two

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

Theodore Roosevelt in Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

Billy Connolly: Erect for 30 Years

in Billy Connolly: Erect for 30 Years

2003 Florida Marlins: The Official World Series Film

Himself in 2003 Florida Marlins: The Official World Series Film

Once Upon a Studio

Genie (voice) (archive footage) in Once Upon a Studio

Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen

(archive footage) in Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen

Comic Relief 2006

in Comic Relief 2006

Jonathan Winters: On the Ledge

Self in Jonathan Winters: On the Ledge

The Big Wedding

Father Monaghan in The Big Wedding

Sorority '62

Henry in Sorority '62

Seize the Day

Tommy Wilhelm in Seize the Day

Free to Be... a Family

Self in Free to Be... a Family

The Angriest Man in Brooklyn

Henry Altmann in The Angriest Man in Brooklyn

The Butler

Dwight Eisenhower in The Butler

The Beatles Revolution

Self in The Beatles Revolution

SpongeBob's Truth or Square

Self in SpongeBob's Truth or Square

Radioman

Self in Radioman

The Face of Love

Roger Stillman in The Face of Love

The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up

Self (archive footage) in The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up

Rona Barrett Looks at 1978

in Rona Barrett Looks at 1978

Absolutely Anything

Dennis the Dog (voice) in Absolutely Anything

The Pixar Story

Self (archive footage) in The Pixar Story

Boulevard

Nolan Mack in Boulevard

Comic Relief III

in Comic Relief III

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

Theodore Roosevelt in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

Super Duper Bloopers

Himself in Super Duper Bloopers

A Merry Friggin' Christmas

Mitch Mitchler in A Merry Friggin' Christmas

But... Seriously

Self (archive footage) in But... Seriously

Robin Williams: Laugh Until You Cry

Self (archive footage) in Robin Williams: Laugh Until You Cry

Carol, Carl, Whoopi and Robin

in Carol, Carl, Whoopi and Robin

Shrink

Holden in Shrink

An Evening with Lily Tomlin and Friends

Self in An Evening with Lily Tomlin and Friends

Earth to America

Self in Earth to America

Aladdin and the King of Thieves

Genie (voice) in Aladdin and the King of Thieves

Portrait of a White Marriage

Bill Lohmer – Air Conditioning Salesman (uncredited) in Portrait of a White Marriage

The Animograph, or I Was Born in a Shoebox

Self (archive footage) in The Animograph, or I Was Born in a Shoebox

We Are Most Amused

Self in We Are Most Amused

Robin Williams - Live Across Australia

self in Robin Williams - Live Across Australia

Richard Lewis: I'm In Pain

Self in Richard Lewis: I'm In Pain

A Tribute to Sam Kinison

Self in A Tribute to Sam Kinison

George Martin: In My Life

Self in George Martin: In My Life

Nos Bastidores de Hollywood

Self in Nos Bastidores de Hollywood

Making Jumanji: The Realm of Imagination

Self / Alan Parrish in Making Jumanji: The Realm of Imagination

In the Wild: Dolphins With Robin Williams

Self in In the Wild: Dolphins With Robin Williams

Eye of the Storm

Self (archive footage) in Eye of the Storm

Superstar: Robin Williams

Self (archive footage) in Superstar: Robin Williams

2Everything2Terrible2: Tokyo Drift

(archive footage) in 2Everything2Terrible2: Tokyo Drift

Robin Williams - Live At The Roxy

Self in Robin Williams - Live At The Roxy

Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind

Self (archive footage) in Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind

Comic Relief Zero

Self (archive footage) in Comic Relief Zero

Junket Whore

Self in Junket Whore

Johnny Carson Celebrates Christmas

Self in Johnny Carson Celebrates Christmas

Robin Williams Remembered

Self in Robin Williams Remembered

The Robin Williams Supernova

Self (archive footage) in The Robin Williams Supernova

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story

Self (archive footage) in Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story

The 2nd Annual HBO Young Comedians Show

Self in The 2nd Annual HBO Young Comedians Show

Saturday Night Live: 15th Anniversary

Self in Saturday Night Live: 15th Anniversary

Andy Kaufman Plays Carnegie Hall

Himself (uncredited) in Andy Kaufman Plays Carnegie Hall

Altman

Self in Altman

Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him?)

Self in Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him?)

I'm from Hollywood

Himself in I'm from Hollywood

The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch

Hans Hänkie in The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch

Whoopi Goldberg Presents Billy Connolly

Himself (uncredited) in Whoopi Goldberg Presents Billy Connolly

Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale

Self in Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale

Back to Neverland

Robin in Back to Neverland

Bob Goldthwait -- Don't Watch This Show

Albert Einstein in Bob Goldthwait -- Don't Watch This Show

Elton 60: Live At Madison Square Garden

Self in Elton 60: Live At Madison Square Garden

The Tale of the Frog Prince

The Frog / Prince Robin in The Tale of the Frog Prince

The Young Comedians All-Star Reunion

Himself in The Young Comedians All-Star Reunion

Starz Inside: Ladies or Gentlemen

Self (archive footage) in Starz Inside: Ladies or Gentlemen

Sitcom: The Adventures of Garry Marshall

Himself in Sitcom: The Adventures of Garry Marshall

All About Ann: Governor Richards of the Lone Star State

Self (archive footage) in All About Ann: Governor Richards of the Lone Star State

The Earth Day Special

Everyman in The Earth Day Special

Bobby McFerrin: Spontaneous Inventions

Himself in Bobby McFerrin: Spontaneous Inventions

E.T. and Friends: Magical Movie Visitors

Himself - Host in E.T. and Friends: Magical Movie Visitors

Dreams with Sharp Teeth

Himself in Dreams with Sharp Teeth

Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project

Self in Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project

Persistence of Vision

Himself in Persistence of Vision

Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!

Self in Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!

Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People

Self in Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People

History of the Joke

Self in History of the Joke

Emmanuel's Gift

Self (archive footage) in Emmanuel's Gift

Get Bruce!

Self in Get Bruce!

3 Still Standing

Self in 3 Still Standing

A Wish for Wings That Work

Kiwi (voice) in A Wish for Wings That Work

The Secret Agent

The Professor (uncredited) in The Secret Agent

Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic

Self in Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic

Rabbit Ears - The Fool and the Flying Ship

Narrator (voice) in Rabbit Ears - The Fool and the Flying Ship

The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies

Self in The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies

Can I Do It Till I Need Glasses?

Lawyer / Man with Toothache in Can I Do It Till I Need Glasses?

Certifiably Jonathan

Self in Certifiably Jonathan

Romanekian

Himself in Romanekian

Thank You, Del: The Story of the Del Close Marathon

Self (archive footage) in Thank You, Del: The Story of the Del Close Marathon

Robin Williams, A Comedy Genius

Himself (archive footage) in Robin Williams, A Comedy Genius

Cannes: All Access

Self in Cannes: All Access

Robin Williams: Off the Wall

Himself in Robin Williams: Off the Wall

Max Headroom's Giant Christmas Turkey

Himself in Max Headroom's Giant Christmas Turkey

The Return of Spinal Tap

Robin Williams (TV version) in The Return of Spinal Tap

The 1st 13th Annual Fancy Anvil Awards Show Program Special: Live in Stereo

Self in The 1st 13th Annual Fancy Anvil Awards Show Program Special: Live in Stereo

Robin Williams: Behind Closed Doors

Self (archive footage) in Robin Williams: Behind Closed Doors

And the Oscar Goes To...

Self (archive footage) in And the Oscar Goes To...

The Tour Baby

Himself in The Tour Baby

To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar

John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt (uncredited) in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar

The Madness and Misadventures of Munchausen

Self in The Madness and Misadventures of Munchausen

JoJo: The Pop Princess

Himself in JoJo: The Pop Princess

RV Nation: The Culture of Road Warriors

Self in RV Nation: The Culture of Road Warriors

Barry Sonnenfeld: The Kosher Cowboy

Self in Barry Sonnenfeld: The Kosher Cowboy

Chuck Jones: Extremes and In-Betweens - A Life in Animation

Self in Chuck Jones: Extremes and In-Betweens - A Life in Animation

The World of Jim Henson

Self (archive footage) in The World of Jim Henson

Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam

(voice) in Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam

Noel

Charlie Boyd / The Priest in Noel

Rabbit Ears - Pecos Bill

Narrator (voice) in Rabbit Ears - Pecos Bill

Aladdin on Ice

Genie (voice) (uncredited) in Aladdin on Ice

Robin's Wish

Himself (archive footage) in Robin's Wish

Barbra Streisand: One Voice

Self - Guest Performer in Barbra Streisand: One Voice

Nichols and May: Take Two

Self in Nichols and May: Take Two

Fog City Mavericks

Self in Fog City Mavericks

Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever!

Self (archive footage) in Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever!

Night of 100 Stars

Self in Night of 100 Stars

The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU

(archive footage) in The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU

Everyone's Hero

Napoleon Cross (uncredited) in Everyone's Hero

Comic Relief '90

Self in Comic Relief '90

An All-Star Toast to the Improv

Self in An All-Star Toast to the Improv

Bridge School Benefit Concert 1986

in Bridge School Benefit Concert 1986

The Best of Comic Relief

Self in The Best of Comic Relief

A Life in Ten Pictures: Robin Williams

Self (archive footage) in A Life in Ten Pictures: Robin Williams

AN EVENING WITH: FRIENDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Self in AN EVENING WITH: FRIENDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Intimate Portrait: Pam Dawber

Self in Intimate Portrait: Pam Dawber

Death to Smoochy: Bloopers & Outtakes

Self in Death to Smoochy: Bloopers & Outtakes

Death to Smoochy: Behind the Scenes Documentary

Self in Death to Smoochy: Behind the Scenes Documentary

TV Shows

Inside the Actors Studio

Self in Inside the Actors Studio

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Self in The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Self in Jimmy Kimmel Live!

The Daily Show

Self in The Daily Show

Friends

Tomas (uncredited) in Friends

Life with Bonnie

Kevin Powalski in Life with Bonnie

LIVE with Kelly and Mark

Self - Guest in LIVE with Kelly and Mark

Today

Self in Today

The View

Self in The View

The Early Show

Self in The Early Show

Mind of Mencia

in Mind of Mencia

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

Himself in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Merritt Rook in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Mork & Mindy

Mork in Mork & Mindy

Happy Days

Mork in Happy Days

The Richard Pryor Show

Various in The Richard Pryor Show

Inside Comedy

Self in Inside Comedy

American Idol

Ivan 'Bob' Poppanoff the 'Russian Idol' in American Idol

Faerie Tale Theatre

The Frog / Prince Robin in Faerie Tale Theatre

The Jay Leno Show

Self in The Jay Leno Show

Homicide: Life on the Street

Robert Ellison in Homicide: Life on the Street

Late Night with Conan O'Brien

Self - Guest in Late Night with Conan O'Brien

American Masters

Self in American Masters

Celebrities Uncensored

Self in Celebrities Uncensored

Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg

Himself in Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg

Out of the Blue

Mork in Out of the Blue

The Top Ten Revealed

Self (archive footage) in The Top Ten Revealed

VH1 Rock Honors

Himself in VH1 Rock Honors

Alan Carr: Chatty Man

Self in Alan Carr: Chatty Man

Clive Anderson All Talk

Self in Clive Anderson All Talk

The Oscars

Self in The Oscars

Good Day Live

Self in Good Day Live

The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour

Himself in The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour

The Mork & Mindy / Laverne & Shirley / Fonz Hour

Mork (voice) in The Mork & Mindy / Laverne & Shirley / Fonz Hour

The Crazy Ones

Simon Roberts in The Crazy Ones

The Bonnie Hunt Show

Himself in The Bonnie Hunt Show

Laugh-In

Regular Performer in Laugh-In

Saturday Night Live

Self - Cameo (uncredited) in Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live

Self - Host in Saturday Night Live

The Larry Sanders Show

Robin Williams in The Larry Sanders Show

L.A. Doctors

Hugo Kingsley in L.A. Doctors

Eight Is Enough

The Circuit Breakers Member in Eight Is Enough

Wilfred

Dr. Eddy in Wilfred

Louie

Robin in Louie

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

Self in The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

Tony Awards

Self - Presenter in Tony Awards

Hollywood Squares

Self - Panelist in Hollywood Squares

SpongeBob SquarePants

in SpongeBob SquarePants

The Graham Norton Show

Self in The Graham Norton Show

Superstar

Self (archive footage) in Superstar

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Self in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Great Minds Think for Themselves

Genie (voice) in Great Minds Think for Themselves

Dark Side of Comedy

Self (archive footage) in Dark Side of Comedy

Wogan

Self in Wogan

Terry Wogan's Friday Night

Self in Terry Wogan's Friday Night

The Simpsons

Dr. J. Loren Pryor (voice) (as Doug Hill) in The Simpsons

Sesame Street

Himself in Sesame Street

Teen Choice Awards

Self - Nominee in Teen Choice Awards

Shrink Rap

Himself in Shrink Rap

Comic Relief

Self - Host in Comic Relief

Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God

Self (archive footage) in Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God

Real Time with Bill Maher

Self in Real Time with Bill Maher

Pioneers of Television

Self in Pioneers of Television

Behind Closed Doors with Natalie Morales

Self (archive footage) in Behind Closed Doors with Natalie Morales

Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Self in Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Anatomy of a Scene

Self in Anatomy of a Scene

Charlie Rose

Self - Guest in Charlie Rose

Golden Globe Awards

Self - Winner in Golden Globe Awards

Golden Globe Awards

Self - Nominee in Golden Globe Awards

Golden Globe Awards

Self - Presenter in Golden Globe Awards

Parkinson

Self in Parkinson

Golden Globe Awards

Self - Cecil B. deMille Award Recipient in Golden Globe Awards

Golden Globe Awards

Self - Special Award Recipient in Golden Globe Awards

Great Performances

Self in Great Performances

Stand-Up: The Laughing Therapy

Self (archive footage) in Stand-Up: The Laughing Therapy