Career Timeline of Robin Williams: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Robin Williams, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Robin Williams was a highly acclaimed American actor and comedian, celebrated for his exceptional improvisational talent and diverse character portrayals in both comedic and dramatic roles. Widely considered one of the greatest comedians ever, he received an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, five Grammy Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. In 2005, he was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award, solidifying his legacy as a versatile and beloved entertainer.
1974: Worked as a Busboy
From the summer of 1974 to 1976, Robin Williams worked as a busboy at The Trident in Sausalito, California.
1976: Worked as a Busboy
From the summer of 1974 to 1976, Robin Williams worked as a busboy at The Trident in Sausalito, California.
1976: Started Stand-Up Comedy
In 1976, Robin Williams began performing stand-up comedy in the San Francisco Bay Area, starting at the Holy City Zoo comedy club.
1977: First Credited Film Role
In 1977, Robin Williams had his first credited film role, a minor part in the low-budget comedy Can I Do It... 'Til I Need Glasses?.
1977: Television Debut on Laugh-In
In 1977, Robin Williams made his television debut on a revival of Laugh-In, after being spotted by producer George Schlatter.
1978: HBO Comedy Special: Off The Wall
In 1978, Robin Williams did an HBO comedy special, Off The Wall.
1978: Mork & Mindy debut
In 1978, Robin Williams rose to fame playing the alien Mork in the ABC sitcom Mork & Mindy.
1978: Cast as Mork in Happy Days
In 1978, Robin Williams was cast as the alien Mork in the Happy Days episode "My Favorite Orkan", impressing the producer with his quirky humor and improvisational skills.
March 12, 1979: Time Magazine Cover
On March 12, 1979, Robin Williams appeared on the cover of Time magazine.
August 23, 1979: Rolling Stone Cover
On August 23, 1979, Robin Williams appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
1980: First Starring Performance in Popeye
In 1980, Robin Williams had his first starring performance as the title character in Popeye.
1980: Release of Comedy Album and Film Role in Popeye
In 1980, Robin Williams released his comedy album Reality ... What a Concept and received his first leading film role in Popeye.
1982: Starred in The World According to Garp
In 1982, Robin Williams starred as the lead character in The World According to Garp.
1983: HBO Comedy Special: An Evening with Robin Williams
In 1983, Robin Williams did an HBO comedy special, An Evening with Robin Williams.
1983: Starred in The Survivors
In 1983, Robin Williams played in The Survivors.
1984: Starred in Moscow on the Hudson
In 1984, Robin Williams starred in the critically acclaimed drama Moscow on the Hudson.
1986: HBO Comedy Special: A Night at the Met
In 1986, Robin Williams did an HBO comedy special, A Night at the Met.
1986: Starred in Club Paradise
In 1986, Robin Williams played in Club Paradise.
1986: Establishment of Comic Relief USA
In 1986, Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, and Billy Crystal founded Comic Relief USA, an annual HBO television benefit dedicated to helping the homeless.
1987: Oscar-Nominated Role in Good Morning, Vietnam
In 1987, Robin Williams received an Oscar nomination for his role in Good Morning, Vietnam.
1987: Golden Globe for Good Morning, Vietnam
In 1987, Robin Williams won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in Good Morning, Vietnam.
1989: Oscar-Nominated Role in Dead Poets Society
In 1989, Robin Williams received an Oscar nomination for his role in Dead Poets Society.
1990: Starred in Awakenings
In 1990, Robin Williams starred in the critically acclaimed drama Awakenings.
1991: Oscar-Nominated Role in The Fisher King
In 1991, Robin Williams received an Oscar nomination for his role in The Fisher King.
1991: Golden Globe for The Fisher King
In 1991, Robin Williams won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor—Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in The Fisher King.
1992: Special Golden Globe Award for Aladdin
In 1992, Robin Williams received the Special Golden Globe Award for Vocal Work in a Motion Picture for his role as Genie in Aladdin.
1992: Starred in Toys and Aladdin
In 1992, Robin Williams starred in the film Toys and provided voice work in the animated film Aladdin.
1993: Starred in Mrs. Doubtfire
In 1993, Robin Williams starred in Mrs. Doubtfire.
1993: Golden Globe for Mrs. Doubtfire
In 1993, Robin Williams won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor—Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in Mrs. Doubtfire.
1996: Starred in The Birdcage and Jack
In 1996, Robin Williams starred in The Birdcage and Jack.
1997: Academy Award for Good Will Hunting
In 1997, Robin Williams won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Good Will Hunting.
1998: Starred in Patch Adams
In 1998, Robin Williams starred in Patch Adams.
December 1999: Singing for Children's Promise
In December 1999, Robin Williams participated in a BBC-inspired music video, singing in French, for a celebrity cover of The Rolling Stones' "It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)" to benefit the charity Children's Promise.
2002: Starred in Insomnia and One Hour Photo
In 2002, Robin Williams starred in the psychological thrillers Insomnia and One Hour Photo.
2005: Starred in Robots
In 2005, Robin Williams provided voice work in Robots.
2005: Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award
In 2005, Robin Williams received the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award.
2006: Starred in RV and Happy Feet
In 2006, Robin Williams starred in RV and provided voice work in Happy Feet.
2009: Starred in World's Greatest Dad
In 2009, Robin Williams starred in the critically acclaimed drama World's Greatest Dad.
2010: Donation to Canterbury earthquake relief
In 2010, Robin Williams donated all proceeds from his Weapons of Self Destruction Christchurch performance to aid in the rebuilding efforts following the Canterbury earthquake in New Zealand.
2011: Starred in Happy Feet Two
In 2011, Robin Williams provided voice work in Happy Feet Two.
2014: Starred in Night at the Museum series
In 2014, Robin Williams starred in the Night at the Museum series.
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