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 remarkable improvisational talent and diverse character portrayals in both comedic and dramatic roles. Widely regarded as one of history's greatest comedians, he received an Academy Award, multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Awards, and several Grammy and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Williams also earned the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2005, solidifying his legacy in the entertainment industry.
1976: Stand-up comedy in San Francisco
In 1976, Robin Williams began performing stand-up comedy in the San Francisco Bay Area, giving his first performance at the Holy City Zoo.
1976: Leaves Juilliard School
In 1976, Robin Williams left Juilliard School during his junior year, on the suggestion of John Houseman.
1977: Small part in Can I Do It... 'Til I Need Glasses?
In 1977, Robin Williams had a small film role in the low-budget comedy Can I Do It... 'Til I Need Glasses?.
1977: First TV Appearance
In 1977, Robin Williams made his debut TV appearance on a revival of the show Laugh-In, after being spotted at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles.
1978: HBO comedy special: Off The Wall
In 1978, Robin Williams did his first HBO comedy special called Off The Wall.
1978: Mork & Mindy Debut
In 1978, Robin Williams gained widespread recognition for his role as 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 an episode of the TV series Happy Days, which led to the spin-off Mork & Mindy.
March 12, 1979: Cover of Time Magazine
On March 12, 1979, Robin Williams appeared on the cover of Time magazine due to the success of Mork & Mindy.
August 23, 1979: Cover of Rolling Stone
On August 23, 1979, Robin Williams was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
1979: Grammy Award for Reality...What a Concept
In 1979, Robin Williams won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for his live show at the Copacabana in New York City, Reality... What a Concept.
1980: First Leading Film Role in Popeye
In 1980, Robin Williams received his first leading film role in Popeye.
1980: Stars in Popeye
In 1980, Robin Williams starred in Popeye, his first starring performance in a film.
1982: Stars in The World According to Garp
In 1982, Robin Williams starred as the lead character in The World According to Garp.
1982: Mork & Mindy Series End
In 1982, the television series Mork & Mindy, starring Robin Williams, came to an end.
1983: HBO comedy special: An Evening with Robin Williams
In 1983, Robin Williams did an HBO comedy special called An Evening with Robin Williams.
1983: Stars 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 "Moscow on the Hudson".
1984: Stars in Moscow on the Hudson
In 1984, Robin Williams starred in 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 did an HBO comedy special called A Night at the Met.
1986: Stars in Club Paradise
In 1986, Robin Williams starred in Club Paradise.
1986: Established Comic Relief USA
In 1986, Robin Williams, along with Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal, established Comic Relief USA.
1987: Oscar Nomination for 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 a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor—Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in Good Morning, Vietnam.
1988: Acted in Waiting for Godot and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
In 1988, Robin Williams appeared in "Waiting for Godot" opposite Steve Martin and acted in the movie The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.
1989: Oscar Nomination for Dead Poets Society
In 1989, Robin Williams earned another Oscar nomination for his performance in Dead Poets Society.
1989: Starred in Dead Poets Society
In 1989, Robin Williams played an English teacher in "Dead Poets Society", a role that some critics said "inspired a generation".
1990: Starred in Awakenings
In 1990, Robin Williams starred in "Awakenings", playing a doctor modeled after Oliver Sacks.
1991: Acted in Hook and The Fisher King
In 1991, Robin Williams played an adult Peter Pan in the film "Hook", and also starred in "The Fisher King".
1991: Oscar Nomination for 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 a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor—Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in The Fisher King.
1992: Lent his voice to FernGully: The Last Rainforest
In 1992, Robin Williams lent his voice to "FernGully: The Last Rainforest".
1992: Stars in Toys and Aladdin
In 1992, Robin Williams starred in Toys and also lent his voice to the animated film Aladdin.
1992: Voiced the Genie in Aladdin
In 1992, Robin Williams voiced the Genie in the animated musical "Aladdin", improvising much of his dialogue and impersonating dozens of celebrities.
1992: Golden Globe for Vocal Work in Aladdin
In 1992, Robin Williams won a Special Golden Globe Award for Vocal Work in a Motion Picture for his role as Genie in Aladdin.
1993: Stars in Mrs. Doubtfire
In 1993, Robin Williams starred in Mrs. Doubtfire.
1993: 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: Did not sign up for The Return of Jafar
In 1994, due to a broken agreement with Disney, Robin Williams refused to sign for "The Return of Jafar", a direct-to-video sequel to Aladdin.
1996: Reprised the role in Aladdin and the King of Thieves
In 1996, Robin Williams reprised his role as the Genie in the second sequel to Aladdin, "Aladdin and the King of Thieves".
1996: Stars in The Birdcage and Jack
In 1996, Robin Williams starred in The Birdcage and Jack.
1997: Appeared in an episode of Friends
In 1997, Robin Williams appeared with Billy Crystal in an unscripted cameo on an episode of "Friends".
1997: Starred in Good Will Hunting
In 1997, Robin Williams starred as a therapist in "Good Will Hunting", deeply affecting even some real therapists.
1997: Starred in Deconstructing Harry
In 1997, Robin Williams starred in "Deconstructing Harry", directed by Woody Allen.
1997: Academy Award for Good Will Hunting
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 had a dramatic performance in "What Dreams May Come".
1998: Starred in Patch Adams
In 1998, Robin Williams starred in "Patch Adams", a comedy tinged with pathos.
December 1999: Sang on charity single
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: Dramatic performance in Bicentennial Man
In 1999, Robin Williams had a dramatic performance in "Bicentennial Man".
April 2000: Hosted talk show for Audible
In April 2000, Robin Williams hosted a talk show for Audible.
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: Headlined 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: Stars in Insomnia and One Hour Photo
In 2002, Robin Williams starred in both Insomnia and One Hour Photo.
2002: Robin Williams: Live on Broadway
In 2002, the Robin Williams: Live on Broadway show was released on DVD.
2004: Starred in The Final Cut
In 2004, Robin Williams starred in the science fiction psychological thriller "The Final Cut".
2005: Voice Role in Robots
In 2005, Robin Williams lent his voice to the animated film Robots.
2005: Cecil B. DeMille Award
In 2005, Robin Williams received the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award.
2005: The Big White Release
In 2005, Robin Williams starred in the film "The Big White", a project he was working on in Alaska. He had started drinking again while filming this movie in 2003.
2006: Stars in RV, Happy Feet and Night at the Museum
In 2006, Robin Williams starred in RV, lent his voice to Happy Feet, and appeared in Night at the Museum.
2006: Starred in five movies
In 2006, Robin Williams starred in five movies, including "Man of the Year" and "The Night Listener".
August 2008: Announced Weapons of Self-Destruction tour
In August 2008, Robin Williams announced a new 26-city tour, "Weapons of Self-Destruction."
September 2009: Began Weapons of Self-Destruction tour
In September 2009, Robin Williams began his "Weapons of Self-Destruction" tour.
December 8, 2009: HBO Special on Weapons of Self-Destruction Tour
On December 8, 2009, Robin Williams's "Weapons of Self-Destruction" tour was the subject of an HBO Special.
2009: Stars in World's Greatest Dad
In 2009, Robin Williams starred in World's Greatest Dad.
2010: Appeared on Saturday Night Live
In 2010, Robin Williams appeared in a sketch with Robert De Niro on "Saturday Night Live".
2010: Donation to Christchurch earthquake relief
In 2010, Robin Williams donated all proceeds from his Weapons of Self Destruction Christchurch performance to help rebuild the city of Christchurch, New Zealand, following the earthquake. Half of the donation was given to the Red Cross, and the other half to the mayoral building fund.
March 31, 2011: Broadway acting debut in Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
On March 31, 2011, Robin Williams made his Broadway acting debut in "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo".
2011: Happy Feet film franchise
From 2006 to 2011, Robin Williams provided voices for the Happy Feet film franchise
2011: Voice role in Happy Feet Two
In 2011, Robin Williams reprised his voice role in Happy Feet Two.
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, Robin Williams starred in a new CBS series, "The Crazy Ones", which was canceled after one season.
September 9, 2014: PBS Special Aired
On September 9, 2014, PBS aired a one-hour special devoted to Robin Williams's career.
2014: Comic Relief USA raised $80 million
By 2014, Comic Relief USA, co-founded by Robin Williams, had raised $80 million for the homeless.
2014: Stars in Night at the Museum
In 2014, Robin Williams starred in Night at the Museum.
2014: Four films released after his death
In 2014, four films starring Robin Williams were released after his death: "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.
