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 celebrated American actor and comedian, renowned for his exceptional improvisational talent and diverse character portrayals across both comedic and dramatic roles. Widely considered one of the greatest comedians ever, he earned numerous prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, multiple Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe Awards, Grammy Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards. His contributions to the entertainment industry were further recognized with the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2005.
1973: Attained scholarship to Juilliard School
In 1973, Robin Williams attained a full scholarship to the Juilliard School in New York City.
1974: Summer Job
During the summer of 1974, Robin Williams worked as a busboy at The Trident in Sausalito, California.
1976: Began 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.
1976: Left Juilliard
In 1976, Robin Williams left Juilliard during his junior year after being told the school had nothing more to teach him. He also worked as a busboy until 1976.
1977: Television Debut on Laugh-In
In 1977, Robin Williams made his television debut on a revival of the show "Laugh-In" after being spotted by producer George Schlatter at The Comedy Store. He also performed a show at the L.A. Improv for Home Box Office.
1977: Minor Part in First Film
In 1977, Robin Williams' first credited film role was a minor part in the low-budget comedy "Can I Do It... 'Til I Need Glasses?".
1978: First HBO Comedy Special
In 1978, Robin Williams had his first 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 an episode of "Happy Days" titled "My Favorite Orkan", which led to his breakthrough role.
March 12, 1979: Time Magazine Cover
On March 12, 1979, Robin Williams appeared on the cover of Time magazine, photographed by Michael Dressler.
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 Starring Role in Popeye
In 1980, Robin Williams had his first starring performance in the film "Popeye", showcasing his acting skills.
1980: Reality ... What a Concept album release and Popeye film role
In 1980, Robin Williams released the 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".
1982: Mork & Mindy Ended
In 1982, the ABC sitcom "Mork & Mindy", where Robin Williams played the alien Mork, ended.
1982: End of Mork & Mindy
In 1982, the television sitcom "Mork & Mindy", starring Robin Williams, concluded its run. The show had a weekly audience of sixty million at its peak.
1983: Role in The Survivors
In 1983, Robin Williams had a role in "The Survivors".
1983: An Evening with Robin Williams
In 1983, Robin Williams released an HBO comedy special titled, "An Evening with Robin Williams".
1984: Acted in Moscow on the Hudson
In 1984, Robin Williams had a dramatic performance in Moscow on the Hudson.
1986: Role in Club Paradise
In 1986, Robin Williams appeared in the film "Club Paradise".
1986: Co-hosted the 58th Academy Awards
In 1986, Robin Williams co-hosted the 58th Academy Awards ceremony.
1986: A Night at the Met HBO Special
In 1986, Robin Williams released an HBO comedy special titled, "A Night at the Met".
1986: Established Comic Relief USA
In 1986, Robin Williams teamed up with Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal to establish Comic Relief USA.
1987: Starred in Good Morning, Vietnam and Sketch Comedy Special
In 1987, Robin Williams appeared in the sketch comedy special Carol, Carl, Whoopi and Robin alongside Carol Burnett, Carl Reiner, and Whoopi Goldberg. He also starred in Good Morning, Vietnam, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role as Adrian Cronauer, a radio shock jock during the Vietnam War in 1965.
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 an off-Broadway production of Waiting for Godot at Lincoln Center, and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.
1989: Acted in Dead Poets Society
In 1989, Robin Williams played a private-school English teacher in Dead Poets Society.
1990: Acted in Awakenings
In 1990, Robin Williams played a doctor modeled after Oliver Sacks in Awakenings.
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: Starred in Hook
In 1991, Robin Williams starred in the family film, "Hook".
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: Lent his voice to 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 "Toys" and lent his voice to the animated film "Aladdin".
1992: Voiced Genie in Aladdin
In 1992, Robin Williams voiced the Genie in the animated musical Aladdin. He improvised much of his dialogue and impersonated numerous celebrities. The film was the highest-grossing of 1992 and won a Special Golden Globe Award for Williams.
1992: Won Golden Globe for Aladdin vocal work
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: Acted in Mrs. Doubtfire
In 1993, Robin Williams acted in Mrs. Doubtfire, a comedy tinged with pathos.
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 for the direct-to-video sequel, The Return of Jafar, due to Disney breaking an agreement.
1995: Starred in Jumanji
In 1995, Robin Williams starred in the family film, "Jumanji".
1996: Reprised 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.
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 in an episode of Friends.
1997: Starred in Deconstructing Harry
In 1997, Robin Williams starred with Billy Crystal in Deconstructing Harry, directed by Woody Allen.
1997: Won 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.
1997: Acted in Good Will Hunting
In 1997, Robin Williams's performance as a therapist in Good Will Hunting deeply affected even some real therapists.
1998: Acted in Patch Adams
In 1998, Robin Williams acted in Patch Adams, a comedy tinged with pathos.
1998: Acted in What Dreams May Come
In 1998, Robin Williams had a dramatic performance in What Dreams May Come.
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' single "It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)" for the charity Children's Promise.
1999: Acted 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 that was available only on Audible's 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: 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: Robin Williams: Live on Broadway
In 2002, Robin Williams had success with his one-man show Robin Williams: Live on Broadway, which was later released on DVD.
2002: Starred in Insomnia and One Hour Photo
In 2002, Robin Williams starred in the critically acclaimed dramas "Insomnia" and "One Hour Photo".
2004: Acted in The Final Cut
In 2004, Robin Williams played a professional who specializes in editing memories in The Final Cut.
2005: Lent Voice to Robots
In 2005, Robin Williams lent his voice to the animated film "Robots".
2005: Received 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 starred in the film "The Big White". He had started drinking again in 2003 while working on the film.
2006: Starred in RV and Happy Feet
In 2006, Robin Williams starred in "RV" and lent his voice to "Happy Feet".
2006: Starred in five movies
In 2006, Robin Williams starred in five movies, including Man of the Year and The Night Listener. He also provided voices for the Happy Feet film franchise and Everyone's Hero.
August 2008: Announced 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: Began Weapons of Self-Destruction Tour
In September 2009, Robin Williams began his Weapons of Self-Destruction tour.
December 8, 2009: HBO Special Weapons of Self-Destruction
On December 8, 2009, the HBO Special of Robin Williams's Weapons of Self-Destruction tour was released.
2009: Starred in World's Greatest Dad
In 2009, Robin Williams starred in the critically acclaimed drama, "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: Donated proceeds to Canterbury earthquake relief
In 2010, Robin Williams donated all proceeds from his Weapons of Self Destruction Christchurch performance to help rebuild the city following the Canterbury earthquake. Half of the proceeds went to the Red Cross, and the other half to the mayoral building fund.
March 31, 2011: Broadway Debut
On March 31, 2011, Robin Williams made his Broadway acting debut in Rajiv Joseph's Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo.
2011: Happy Feet Film Franchise
From 2006-2011, Robin Williams provided voices for the Happy Feet film franchise.
2011: Happy Feet Two
In 2011, Robin Williams lent his voice to the animated film "Happy Feet Two", the sequel to Happy Feet.
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 a new series, The Crazy Ones, starring Robin Williams, which was 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 raised $80 million
As of 2014, Comic Relief USA, which was established by Robin Williams along with Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal, had raised $80 million for the homeless.
2014: Night at the Museum Trilogy
In 2014, Robin Williams's filmography included the end of the Night at the Museum trilogy.
2016: Bicycle Donation
In 2016, Robin Williams' children donated 87 of his bicycles to the Challenged Athletes Foundation and Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.
Mentioned in this timeline
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