Early Life and Education of Robin Williams: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Robin Williams, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

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.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1922: Birth of Laurie McLaurin

In 1922, Laurie McLaurin, Robin Williams' mother, was born.

July 21, 1951: Birth of Robin Williams

On July 21, 1951, Robin McLaurin Williams was born at St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, to Robert Fitzgerald Williams, a Ford executive, and Laurie McLaurin, a former model.

July 21, 1951: Robin Williams' Birth

On July 21, 1951, Robin McLaurin Williams was born in Chicago, Illinois.

1963: Family Moved to Detroit

In late 1963, when Williams was 12, his father was transferred to Detroit, and the family moved to Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

1969: High School Graduation

In 1969, Robin Williams graduated from Redwood High School, being voted "Most Likely Not to Succeed" and "Funniest" by his classmates.

1973: Acceptance to Juilliard School

In 1973, Robin Williams received a full scholarship to the Juilliard School in New York City, being one of 20 students accepted into the freshman class.

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: Left Juilliard School

In 1976, Robin Williams left Juilliard during his junior year, after being advised that the school had nothing more to offer him.

1982: Mork & Mindy End

In 1982, Mork & Mindy stopped airing.

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1982: John Belushi's Death and Sobriety

In 1982, the death of John Belushi from a drug overdose, coupled with the birth of his son Zak, prompted Robin Williams to confront his cocaine addiction and pursue sobriety.

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: Death of Robert Fitzgerald Williams

In 1987, Robert Fitzgerald Williams, Robin Williams' father, passed away.

1992: Playboy Interview on Fears

In a 1992 Playboy interview, Robin Williams discussed his fears of losing his creativity and sharpness, attributing Jerzy Kosiński's suicide to such fears. He credited his father for instilling self-confidence.

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.

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2001: Death of Laurie McLaurin

In 2001, Laurie McLaurin, Robin Williams' mother, passed away.

2002: Influence of Peter Sellers

During a 2002 interview in London with Michael Parkinson, Robin Williams cited Peter Sellers as an important influence, particularly Sellers's multi-character roles in Dr. Strangelove.

2003: Relapse with Alcohol

In 2003, Robin Williams relapsed and began abusing alcohol again during the production of the film The Big White (2005) in Alaska.

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2004: Death of Christopher Reeve

In 2004, Christopher Reeve, a close friend of Robin Williams, passed away.

2006: Rehabilitation Center Admission

In 2006, Robin Williams checked into a substance-abuse rehabilitation center in Newberg, Oregon, seeking treatment for his issues with alcohol.

March 13, 2009: Heart Surgery

On March 13, 2009, Robin Williams underwent surgery at the Cleveland Clinic to replace his aortic valve, repair his mitral valve, and correct his irregular heartbeat.

March 2009: Hospitalization for Heart Problems

In March 2009, Robin Williams was hospitalized due to heart problems, leading to the postponement of his one-man tour.

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.

2010: Acknowledging Sobriety Failure

In a 2010 interview, Robin Williams acknowledged his failure to maintain sobriety but stated that he never returned to using cocaine.

October 2013: Early Symptoms of Lewy Body Disease

In October 2013, Robin Williams began experiencing the early symptoms of Lewy body disease, which included a sudden spike in fear, anxiety, stress, and insomnia.

August 11, 2014: Robin Williams' Death

On August 11, 2014, Robin Williams died.

August 21, 2014: Ashes Scattered in San Francisco Bay

Following cremation at Monte's Chapel of the Hills in San Anselmo, Robin Williams's ashes were scattered over San Francisco Bay on August 21, 2014.

September 9, 2014: PBS Special Aired

On September 9, 2014, PBS aired a one-hour special dedicated to Robin Williams's career.

2014: Biography Started by David Itzkoff

In 2014, David Itzkoff of The New York Times began working on a biography of Robin Williams.

2014: Robin Williams's Suicide

In 2014, Robin Williams died by suicide after struggling with severe depression and being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. His autopsy revealed "diffuse Lewy body disease".

2014: Admission to Hazelden for Alcoholism

In mid-2014, Robin Williams was admitted to the Hazelden Foundation Addiction Treatment Center in Center City, Minnesota, once again for alcoholism.

2015: Iron Maiden Dedicates "Tears of a Clown"

In 2015, the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden dedicated a song to Robin Williams, titled "Tears of a Clown", on their album The Book of Souls.

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2018: HBO Documentary and Mural

In 2018, HBO produced a documentary about Robin Williams's life and career titled Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind, and a mural of him was created on Market Street in San Francisco.

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