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 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.

Sections (5)

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

1906: Birth of Robin William's Father

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

1922: Birth of Robin William's Mother

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

July 21, 1951: Robin Williams' Birth

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

1963: Family Moved to Detroit

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

1973: Attended Juilliard School

In 1973, Robin Williams was granted a full scholarship and began attending the Juilliard School in New York City, where he was one of 20 students accepted into the freshman class.

1975: Running with West Side YMCA runners club

In 1975, Robin Williams was part of the West Side YMCA runners club in New York City and showed promising results with 34:21 minutes at a 10K run in Central Park.

1976: Left Juilliard School

In 1976, Robin Williams left the Juilliard School during his junior year, following the suggestion that the school had nothing more to teach him.

1976: Meeting Valerie Velardi

In 1976, Robin Williams met Valerie Velardi while working as a bartender in San Francisco.

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.

1978: Marriage to Valerie Velardi

In 1978, Robin Williams married actress Valerie Velardi.

1982: Quit drugs and alcohol after Belushi's death

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

1983: Birth of son Zachary Pym

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

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.

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1986: Reported affair with Marsha Garces

In 1986, it was reported that Robin Williams began an affair with Zachary's nanny, Marsha Garces.

1987: Death of Robin William's Father

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

1988: Divorce from Valerie Velardi

In 1988, Robin Williams and Valerie Velardi were divorced.

April 30, 1989: Marriage to Marsha Garces

On April 30, 1989, Robin Williams married Marsha Garces, who was pregnant with their first child.

1991: Birth of son Cody Alan

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

1992: Playboy interview about fear of losing balance in life

During a Playboy interview in 1992, Robin Williams discussed his fear of losing his creative spark and sharpness, and credited his father for strengthening his self-confidence.

2001: Robin Williams credits his mother as early influence.

During a television interview on Inside the Actors Studio in 2001, Williams credited his mother as an important early influence on his humor.

2002: Cited Peter Sellers as a major influence in interview

In a 2002 interview in London, Robin Williams told Michael Parkinson that Peter Sellers was an important influence, especially his roles in "Dr. Strangelove". He also mentioned Dudley Moore and Peter Cook as influences.

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2003: Started drinking again while working on 'The Big White'

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

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2004: Death of Christopher Reeve

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

2006: Checked into substance-abuse rehabilitation center

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

March 2008: Garces files for divorce

In March 2008, Marsha Garces filed for divorce from Robin Williams, citing irreconcilable differences.

2008: Appearance at Israel's Independence Day celebration

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

March 13, 2009: Underwent 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: Hospitalized and postponed tour due to heart problems

In March 2009, Robin Williams was hospitalized due to heart problems, leading him to postpone his one-man tour. He underwent surgery to replace his aortic valve, repair his mitral valve, and correct his irregular heartbeat.

2010: Acknowledged failure to maintain sobriety

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

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.

2010: Divorce from Marsha Garces finalized

In 2010, the divorce between Robin Williams and Marsha Garces was finalized.

2011: Marriage to Susan Schneider

In 2011, Robin Williams married graphic designer Susan Schneider.

October 2013: Early symptoms of Lewy Body Disease began

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

August 11, 2014: Death of Robin Williams

On August 11, 2014, Robin Williams, the American actor and comedian, passed away. He was known for his improvisational skills and character portrayals in both dramas and comedies.

August 2014: Death Ruled as Suicide

In August 2014, Robin Williams was found dead at his home in Paradise Cay, California, at the age of 63. His death was ruled a suicide.

August 21, 2014: Ashes scattered over 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.

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.

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2014: Admitted to Hazelden Foundation 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.

2018: Velardi's statement about the relationship with Garces

In the 2018 documentary, Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind, Velardi stated that the relationship with Garces began after she and Williams had separated.