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 regarded as one of history's greatest comedians, he earned numerous prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Grammy Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. He received the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2005, cementing his legacy as a versatile and beloved entertainer.
1974: Worked as a Busboy
From the summers 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, with his first performance at the Holy City Zoo.
1976: Worked as a Busboy and Left Julliard
In 1976, Robin Williams worked as a busboy at The Trident in Sausalito, California, and left Juilliard during his junior year.
1977: Minor Role in Can I Do It... 'Til I Need Glasses?
In 1977, Robin Williams had a minor role in the low-budget comedy Can I Do It... 'Til I Need Glasses?
1977: Television Debut on Laugh-In
In 1977, Robin Williams was seen by television producer George Schlatter, who asked him to appear on a revival of his show Laugh-In, marking Williams' television debut.
1978: HBO Comedy Special: Off The Wall
In 1978, Robin Williams had his HBO comedy special titled "Off The Wall".
1978: Mork & Mindy Premier
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 by Garry Marshall as the alien Mork in an episode of the television series Happy Days titled "My Favorite Orkan".
1978: Premier of Mork & Mindy
In 1978, the spin-off television sitcom Mork & Mindy, co-starring Pam Dawber, began airing.
March 12, 1979: Time Magazine Cover
On March 12, 1979, Robin Williams appeared on the cover of Time magazine due to the success of Mork & Mindy.
August 23, 1979: Rolling Stone Cover
On August 23, 1979, Robin Williams appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone, photographed by Richard Avedon.
1980: First Leading Film Role and Comedy Album Release
In 1980, Robin Williams received his first leading film role in Popeye and also released several comedy albums including Reality ... What a Concept.
1980: Starring Performance in Popeye
In 1980, Robin Williams's first starring performance was as the title character 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.
1982: Mork & Mindy Ended
In 1982, the ABC sitcom Mork & Mindy, where Robin Williams played the alien Mork, concluded.
1983: HBO Comedy Special: An Evening with Robin Williams
In 1983, Robin Williams had his HBO comedy special titled "An Evening with Robin Williams".
1983: Starred in The Survivors
In 1983, Robin Williams starred in The Survivors.
1984: Dramatic performance in Moscow on the Hudson
In 1984, Robin Williams had a dramatic performance in the film Moscow on the Hudson.
1984: Starred in Moscow on the Hudson
In 1984, Robin Williams starred in the critically acclaimed drama, Moscow on the Hudson.
1986: Co-hosted the 58th Academy Awards
In 1986, Robin Williams co-hosted the 58th Academy Awards.
1986: HBO Comedy Special: A Night at the Met
In 1986, Robin Williams had his HBO comedy special titled "A Night at the Met".
1986: Starred in Club Paradise
In 1986, Robin Williams starred in Club Paradise.
1986: Establishment of 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: Starred in Good Morning, Vietnam and Carol, Carl, Whoopi and Robin
In 1987, Robin Williams appeared in the sketch comedy special Carol, Carl, Whoopi and Robin, acting alongside Carol Burnett, Carl Reiner, and Whoopi Goldberg. 1987 also marked Williams's first major break as he starred in the movie Good Morning, Vietnam, earning him a nomination for the Academy Award 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: Appearance in Waiting for Godot and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
In 1988, Robin Williams appeared opposite Steve Martin at Lincoln Center in an off-Broadway production of Waiting for Godot. He also appeared in The Adventures of Baron Munchausen in 1988.
1989: Role in Dead Poets Society
In 1989, Robin Williams played a private-school English teacher in Dead Poets Society. The film's final, emotional scene was said to inspire a generation.
1990: Role in Awakenings
In 1990, Robin Williams played a doctor modeled after Oliver Sacks in the film Awakenings.
1991: Role in Hook and The Fisher King
In 1991, Robin Williams played an adult Peter Pan in the film Hook, and 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: Voice role in FernGully: The Last Rainforest
In 1992, Robin Williams lent his voice to FernGully: The Last Rainforest.
1992: Starred in Toys and Aladdin
In 1992, Robin Williams starred in the film Toys and lent his voice to the animated film Aladdin.
1992: Voice role as the Genie in Aladdin
In 1992, Robin Williams voiced the Genie in the animated musical Aladdin. The role was written for him, and he improvised much of his dialogue, impersonating numerous celebrities. Aladdin was the highest-grossing film of 1992, and Williams won a Special Golden Globe Award for his vocal work.
1992: Won Golden Globe for Vocal Work in '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.
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: Refusal to sign for The Return of Jafar
In 1994, Robin Williams refused to sign for the direct-to-video sequel, The Return of Jafar, due to Disney breaking an agreement regarding the use of the Genie in the advertising for Aladdin.
1996: Reprising the role in Aladdin and the King of Thieves
In 1996, Robin Williams reprised the role of the Genie in the Aladdin sequel, Aladdin and the King of Thieves, after a public apology from Disney.
1996: Starred in The Birdcage and Jack
In 1996, Robin Williams starred in The Birdcage and Jack.
1997: Unscripted cameo in Friends
In 1997, Robin Williams appeared with Billy Crystal in an unscripted cameo at the beginning of an episode of Friends.
1997: Role in Good Will Hunting
In 1997, Robin Williams played a therapist in Good Will Hunting, which deeply affected even some real therapists.
1997: Role in Deconstructing Harry
In 1997, Robin Williams was directed by Woody Allen in Deconstructing Harry, which also starred Billy Crystal.
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: Dramatic performance in What Dreams May Come
In 1998, Robin Williams gave a dramatic performance in the film What Dreams May Come.
1998: Starred in Patch Adams
In 1998, Robin Williams starred in Patch Adams.
December 1999: Sang on BBC-inspired music video for charity
In December 1999, Robin Williams sang in French on the BBC-inspired music video cover of The Rolling Stones' "It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)" for the charity Children's Promise.
1999: Dramatic performance in Bicentennial Man
In 1999, Robin Williams gave a dramatic performance in the film Bicentennial Man.
April 2000: Host of talk show for Audible
In April 2000, Robin Williams hosted a talk show for Audible, available only on Audible's website.
2001: Voice of 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: Robin Williams: Live on Broadway
In July 2002, Robin Williams headlined his own one-man show, Robin Williams: Live on Broadway, at the Broadway Theatre.
2002: Release of Robin Williams: Live on Broadway
In 2002, Robin Williams released his one-man show (and subsequent DVD), Robin Williams: Live on Broadway. In that same year, he was voted 13th on Comedy Central's list of "100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time."
2002: Starred in Insomnia and One Hour Photo
In 2002, Robin Williams starred in the critically acclaimed dramas Insomnia and One Hour Photo.
2004: Role in The Final Cut
In 2004, Robin Williams played a professional who specializes in editing the memories of unsavory people in The Final Cut.
2004: Voted on Comedy Central's list
In 2004, Robin Williams was voted 13th on Comedy Central's list of "100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time."
2005: Voiced Robots
In 2005, Robin Williams lent his voice to the animated film Robots.
2005: Received the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award
In 2005, Robin Williams received the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award.
2005: The Big White film released
In 2005, Robin Williams worked on the film "The Big White" in Alaska.
2006: Starred in RV and Night at the Museum
In 2006, Robin Williams starred in RV and Night at the Museum.
2006: Starring in five movies
In 2006, Robin Williams starred in five movies, including Man of the Year, a political satire, and The Night Listener, a thriller.
August 2008: Announcement of Weapons of Self-Destruction tour
In August 2008, Robin Williams announced a new 26-city tour, Weapons of Self-Destruction, after a six-year hiatus.
September 2009: Beginning of Weapons of Self-Destruction tour
In September 2009, Robin Williams began his 26-city tour, Weapons of Self-Destruction, which concluded in New York on December 3.
December 8, 2009: HBO Special on Weapons of Self-Destruction
On December 8, 2009, Robin Williams' Weapons of Self-Destruction tour was the subject of an HBO Special.
2009: Starred in World's Greatest Dad
In 2009, Robin Williams starred in the critically acclaimed drama World's Greatest Dad.
2010: Appearance on Saturday Night Live
In 2010, Robin Williams appeared in a sketch with Robert De Niro on Saturday Night Live.
2010: Donated proceeds to earthquake relief and performed for troops
In 2010, Robin Williams donated all proceeds of his Weapons of Self Destruction Christchurch performance to help rebuild the New Zealand city after the Canterbury earthquake. He also performed with the USO for U.S. troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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, which opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.
2011: Voiced Happy Feet Two
In 2011, Robin Williams lent his voice to the animated film Happy Feet Two.
2011: Involvement in Happy Feet film franchise
Robin Williams continued to be involved in the Happy Feet film franchise in 2011.
2012: Guest-starring in Louie and Wilfred
In 2012, Robin Williams guest-starred as himself in two FX series, Louie and Wilfred.
May 2013: Premiere of The Crazy Ones
In May 2013, CBS started a new series, The Crazy Ones, starring Robin Williams. The show was later canceled after one season.
September 9, 2014: PBS aired a one-hour special devoted to Williams's career
On September 9, 2014, PBS aired a one-hour special devoted to Robin Williams's career.
2014: Comic Relief USA raises $80 million
As of 2014, Comic Relief USA, co-founded by Robin Williams, had raised $80 million for the homeless.
2014: Posthumous Film Releases
Four films starring Robin Williams were released after his death in 2014: Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, A Merry Friggin' Christmas, Boulevard, and Absolutely Anything.
2014: Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb Released
In 2014, Robin Williams appeared in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb.
2016: Donation of bicycles
In 2016, Robin Williams' children donated 87 of his bicycles in support of the Challenged Athletes Foundation and Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.
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