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 across both comedic and dramatic roles. Widely regarded as one of the greatest comedians ever, he earned numerous prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Awards, and Grammy Awards. His contributions to the entertainment industry were further recognized with the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2005.
1984: Acted in Moscow on the Hudson
In 1984, Robin Williams gave a dramatic performance in 'Moscow on the Hudson'.
1986: Co-hosted the 58th Academy Awards
In 1986, Robin Williams co-hosted the 58th Academy Awards ceremony, marking a significant public appearance in his career.
1986: Co-founded Comic Relief USA
In 1986, Robin Williams teamed up with Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal to establish Comic Relief USA, an annual HBO television benefit devoted to the homeless.
1987: Appeared in Carol, Carl, Whoopi and Robin and Good Morning, Vietnam
In 1987, Robin Williams appeared in the sketch comedy special 'Carol, Carl, Whoopi and Robin' alongside Carol Burnett, Carl Reiner, and Whoopi Goldberg. Also in 1987, he starred in 'Good Morning, Vietnam' as Adrian Cronauer, a role that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
1987: Won Golden Globe for Good Morning, Vietnam
In 1987, Robin Williams won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor—Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in Good Morning, Vietnam.
1988: Appeared in Waiting for Godot and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
In 1988, Robin Williams appeared opposite Steve Martin in 'Waiting for Godot' at Lincoln Center and appeared in 'The Adventures of Baron Munchausen'.
1989: Starred in Dead Poets Society
In 1989, Robin Williams starred as an English teacher in 'Dead Poets Society', a film known for its emotional impact.
1990: Starred in Awakenings
In 1990, Robin Williams played a doctor based on Oliver Sacks in the movie 'Awakenings'.
1991: Starred in Hook and The Fisher King
In 1991, Robin Williams played an adult Peter Pan in the film 'Hook'. He also appeared in 'The Fisher King'.
1991: Won Golden Globe for The Fisher King
In 1991, Robin Williams won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor—Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in The Fisher King.
1992: Playboy Interview about fears of losing balance
During a Playboy interview in 1992, Robin Williams discussed his fears of losing balance between his work and his life, and the importance of expressing himself creatively.
1992: Lent his voice to FernGully: The Last Rainforest
In 1992, Robin Williams lent his voice to 'FernGully: The Last Rainforest'.
1992: Voiced the Genie in Aladdin
In 1992, Robin Williams voiced the Genie in Disney's 'Aladdin', improvising much of his dialogue and impersonating numerous celebrities. The movie became the highest-grossing film of the year, and Williams received a Special Golden Globe Award for Vocal Work in a Motion Picture for his role.
1992: Won Golden Globe for Aladdin
In 1992, Robin Williams won the Special Golden Globe Award for Vocal Work in a Motion Picture for his role as Genie in Aladdin.
1993: Starred in Mrs. Doubtfire
In 1993, Robin Williams starred in 'Mrs. Doubtfire', a comedy with pathos, showcasing his versatility.
1993: Won Golden Globe for Mrs. Doubtfire
In 1993, Robin Williams won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor—Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in Mrs. Doubtfire.
1994: Refused to sign for The Return of Jafar
In 1994, Robin Williams refused to sign on for 'The Return of Jafar' due to Disney violating an agreement regarding the use of the Genie in advertising, resulting in Dan Castellaneta voicing the Genie instead.
1996: Reprised role in Aladdin and the King of Thieves
In 1996, after a public apology from Disney, Robin Williams reprised his role as the Genie in 'Aladdin and the King of Thieves'.
1997: Appeared in an episode of Friends
In 1997, Robin Williams appeared with Billy Crystal in an unscripted cameo in an episode of the third season of 'Friends'.
1997: Starred in Good Will Hunting
In 1997, Robin Williams starred as a therapist in 'Good Will Hunting', delivering a performance that deeply affected audiences.
1997: Acted in Deconstructing Harry
In 1997, Robin Williams starred in the movie 'Deconstructing Harry' directed by Woody Allen.
1997: Won Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
In 1997, Robin Williams won an 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', a comedy with pathos.
1998: Starred in What Dreams May Come
In 1998, Robin Williams starred in 'What Dreams May Come'.
December 1999: Sang in French on BBC-inspired music video
In December 1999, Robin Williams sang in French on the BBC-inspired music video of international celebrities doing a cover of The Rolling Stones single "It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)" for the charity Children's Promise.
1999: Starred in Bicentennial Man
In 1999, Robin Williams starred in 'Bicentennial Man'.
April 2000: Hosted talk show for Audible
In April 2000, Robin Williams hosted a talk show for Audible, available exclusively on their website.
2001: Voiced Dr. Know in A.I. Artificial Intelligence
In 2001, Robin Williams voiced the holographic character Dr. Know in the live-action film 'A.I. Artificial Intelligence'.
July 2002: Starred in Robin Williams: Live on Broadway
In July 2002, Robin Williams headlined his one-man show, 'Robin Williams: Live on Broadway', at the Broadway Theatre.
2002: Discussed Peter Sellers as an important influence
During an interview in London in 2002, Robin Williams told Michael Parkinson that Peter Sellers was an important influence, especially his multi-character roles in Dr. Strangelove.
2002: Robin Williams: Live on Broadway DVD Release
In 2002, Robin Williams's one-man show, 'Robin Williams: Live on Broadway', was a success, indicating the continuous popularity of his stand-up work.
2004: Acted in The Final Cut
In 2004, Robin Williams played a professional who specializes in editing the memories of unsavory people into uncritical memorials in the science fiction psychological thriller, 'The Final Cut'.
2005: Provided voices in Robots
In 2005, Robin Williams provided voices in the animated film 'Robots'.
2005: Received Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award
In 2005, Robin Williams received the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award.
2005: Release of 'The Big White'
In 2005, the film The Big White, in which Robin Williams starred, was released.
2006: Starred in five movies and Happy Feet franchise
In 2006, Robin Williams starred in five movies, including 'Man of the Year' and 'The Night Listener', and also voiced characters in the 'Happy Feet' film franchise.
August 2008: Announced Weapons of Self-Destruction tour
In August 2008, Robin Williams announced his new 26-city tour, 'Weapons of Self-Destruction', after a six-year hiatus from touring.
September 2009: Began Weapons of Self-Destruction tour
At the end of September 2009, Robin Williams began his 'Weapons of Self-Destruction' tour.
December 8, 2009: HBO Special: Weapons of Self-Destruction
On December 8, 2009, Robin Williams's 'Weapons of Self-Destruction' tour was the subject of an HBO Special.
2010: Appeared on Saturday Night Live
In 2010, Robin Williams appeared in a sketch with Robert De Niro on 'Saturday Night Live'.
2010: Donation after Canterbury earthquake
In 2010, in response to the Canterbury earthquake, Robin Williams donated all proceeds of his Weapons of Self Destruction Christchurch performance to help rebuild the New Zealand city. Half the proceeds were donated to the Red Cross and half to the mayoral building fund.
March 31, 2011: Broadway debut in Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
On March 31, 2011, Robin Williams made his Broadway acting debut in Rajiv Joseph's 'Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo', receiving a Drama League Award nomination for his performance.
2011: Happy Feet film franchise
Robin Williams continued to provide voices in the 'Happy Feet' film franchise until 2011.
2012: Guest-starred in Louie and Wilfred
In 2012, Robin Williams guest-starred as himself in two FX series, 'Louie' and 'Wilfred'.
May 2013: Starred in The Crazy Ones
In May 2013, CBS started airing 'The Crazy Ones', starring Robin Williams; however, the series was canceled after one season.
September 9, 2014: PBS aired a one-hour special
On September 9, 2014, PBS aired a one-hour special devoted to Robin Williams's career.
2014: Comic Relief USA raised $80 million as of 2014
As of 2014, Comic Relief USA, co-founded by Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal, had raised $80 million for the homeless.
2014: Four films released after his death
In 2014, four films starring Robin Williams were released posthumously: 'Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb', 'A Merry Friggin' Christmas', 'Boulevard', and 'Absolutely Anything'.
2016: Children donated his bicycles
In 2016, Robin Williams' children donated 87 of his bicycles to support the Challenged Athletes Foundation and Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.
2018: HBO documentary 'Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind' released
In 2018, HBO produced a documentary about Robin Williams's life and career, titled Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind, which was also screened at the Sundance Film Festival.
Mentioned in this timeline
Home Box Office HBO is a flagship American pay television...
CBS is a major American commercial broadcast television and radio...
California is the most populous US state located on the...
New Zealand is an island country located in the southwestern...
Saturday Night Live SNL is a late-night American sketch comedy...
Whoopi Goldberg born Caryn Elaine Johnson is a highly accomplished...
Trending
30 minutes ago Joe Dumars in Talks to Become Pelicans President After Griffin's Departure.
31 minutes ago Alcaraz eyes Barcelona, Tsitsipas & Fils compete. ATP 500 showdown in Munich.
31 minutes ago Isaiah Simmons visits Green Bay Packers as a free agent linebacker.
2 hours ago Josh Brolin's Batman Audition, Val Kilmer's Cancer Battle, and His Children's Tribute.
2 hours ago Maldives bans Israelis in solidarity with Palestinians amid Gaza conflict escalation.
2 hours ago David Oyelowo stars in 'Government Cheese', a Coen-esque period comedy on Apple TV+.
Popular
Doug Ford is a Canadian politician and businessman currently serving...
Justin Trudeau served as the rd Prime Minister of Canada...
The Real ID Act of is a US federal law...
Peter Navarro is an American economist and author known for...
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Bernard Bernie Sanders is a prominent American politician currently serving...