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 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.

Sections (5)

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

1906: Father's Birth

In 1906, Robert Fitzgerald Williams, Robin Williams' father, was born.

1922: Mother's Birth

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

July 21, 1951: Robin Williams Born

On July 21, 1951, Robin McLaurin Williams was born at St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.

1963: Family Moved to Detroit

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

1969: High School Graduation

In 1969, Robin Williams graduated from Redwood High School, where he was voted "Most Likely Not to Succeed" and "Funniest" by his classmates. He then enrolled at Claremont Men's College to study political science, but later dropped out to pursue acting.

1973: Attained scholarship to Juilliard School

In 1973, Robin Williams attained a full scholarship to the Juilliard School in New York City.

1975: Ran 10K in Central Park

In 1975, Robin Williams showed promising results with 34:21 minutes at a 10K run in Central Park.

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.

1982: Quit drugs and alcohol after Belushi's death

In 1982, the death of John Belushi from a drug overdose, whom Williams partied with the night before, along with the birth of his son Zak, prompted Williams to quit drugs and alcohol. He then turned to exercise and cycling to alleviate his depression.

1983: Birth of Zachary Pym

In 1983, Robin Williams's son, Zachary Pym, was born.

1986: Established Comic Relief USA

In 1986, Robin Williams teamed up with Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal to establish Comic Relief USA.

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1987: Father's Death

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

1991: Birth of Cody Alan

In 1991, Robin Williams and Marsha Garces had their second child, Cody Alan.

1992: Playboy interview on work-life balance fears

During a Playboy interview in 1992, Robin Williams discussed his fears of losing his balance between his work and his life, and of losing his creativity. He credited his father for strengthening his self-confidence.

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.

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2001: Mother's Death

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

2002: Discussed influences in London interview

During an interview in London in 2002, Robin Williams told Michael Parkinson that Peter Sellers, Dudley Moore, and Peter Cook were important influences.

2003: Relapsed into drinking

In 2003, while working on the film The Big White (2005) in Alaska, Robin Williams started drinking again.

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2004: Death of Christopher Reeve

In 2004, Christopher Reeve, a close friend of Robin Williams since their time at Juilliard, passed away.

2006: Checked into rehab for alcoholism

In 2006, Robin Williams checked into a substance-abuse rehabilitation center in Newberg, Oregon, acknowledging that he was an alcoholic.

2008: Appeared at Israel's Independence Day

On Israel's 60th Independence Day in 2008, Robin Williams appeared in Times Square to wish Israel a happy birthday.

March 13, 2009: Heart surgery completed

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

March 2009: Hospitalized for heart problems and tour postponed

In March 2009, Robin Williams was hospitalized due to heart problems and postponed his one-man tour for surgery.

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.

2010: Acknowledged failure to maintain sobriety

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 began

In October 2013, Robin Williams began experiencing the early symptoms of Lewy body disease, including a sudden spike in fear, anxiety, stress, and insomnia, which worsened to include memory loss, paranoia, and delusions.

August 21, 2014: Ashes scattered over San Francisco Bay

Following his 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.

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.

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2014: Admitted to Hazelden for alcoholism treatment

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