Robin Williams
Known For
Acting
Born
1951-07-21 in Chicago, Illinois, USA
Died
2014-08-11
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.
Most Known For
The Simpsons
as Dr. J. Loren Pryor (voice) (as Doug Hill)
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
as Merritt Rook
Friends
as Tomas (uncredited)
The Daily Show
as Self
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as Self
Saturday Night Live
as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
Saturday Night Live
as Self - Host
Saturday Night Live
as Self (uncredited)
Sesame Street
as Self
The Graham Norton Show
as Self
The View
as Self
Great Performances
as Self
Real Time with Bill Maher
as Self
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
as Self
Happy Days
as Mork
Hollywood Squares
as Self - Panelist
Golden Globe Awards
as Self - Nominee
Golden Globe Awards
as Self - Presenter
Golden Globe Awards
as Self - Cecil B. deMille Award Recipient
Golden Globe Awards
as Self - Special Award Recipient