History of Robin Williams in Timeline
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.
1922: Birth of Laurie McLaurin
In 1922, Laurie McLaurin, Robin Williams' mother, was born.
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: Started 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 School
In 1976, Robin Williams left Juilliard during his junior year, after being advised that the school had nothing more to offer him.
1977: First Credited Film Role
In 1977, Robin Williams had his first credited film role, a minor part in the low-budget comedy Can I Do It... 'Til I Need Glasses?.
1977: Television Debut on Laugh-In
In 1977, Robin Williams made his television debut on a revival of Laugh-In, after being spotted by producer George Schlatter.
1978: HBO Comedy Special: Off The Wall
In 1978, Robin Williams did an 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 the Happy Days episode "My Favorite Orkan", impressing the producer with his quirky humor and improvisational skills.
March 12, 1979: Time Magazine Cover
On March 12, 1979, Robin Williams appeared on the cover of Time magazine.
August 23, 1979: Rolling Stone Cover
On August 23, 1979, Robin Williams appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
1979: Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album
In 1979, Robin Williams won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for Reality... What a Concept.
1980: First Starring Performance in Popeye
In 1980, Robin Williams had his first starring performance as the title character in Popeye.
1980: Release of Comedy Album and Film Role in Popeye
In 1980, Robin Williams released his 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: 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.
1983: HBO Comedy Special: An Evening with Robin Williams
In 1983, Robin Williams did an HBO comedy special, An Evening with Robin Williams.
1983: Starred in The Survivors
In 1983, Robin Williams played in The Survivors.
1984: Starred in Moscow on the Hudson
In 1984, Robin Williams starred in the critically acclaimed drama Moscow on the Hudson.
1986: HBO Comedy Special: A Night at the Met
In 1986, Robin Williams did an HBO comedy special, A Night at the Met.
1986: Starred in Club Paradise
In 1986, Robin Williams played in Club Paradise.
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.
1987: Oscar-Nominated Role in 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 the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in Good Morning, Vietnam.
1989: Oscar-Nominated Role in Dead Poets Society
In 1989, Robin Williams received an Oscar nomination for his role in Dead Poets Society.
1990: Starred in Awakenings
In 1990, Robin Williams starred in the critically acclaimed drama Awakenings.
1991: Oscar-Nominated Role in 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 the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor—Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in The Fisher King.
1992: Special Golden Globe Award for Aladdin
In 1992, Robin Williams received the Special Golden Globe Award for Vocal Work in a Motion Picture for his role as Genie in Aladdin.
1992: Starred in Toys and Aladdin
In 1992, Robin Williams starred in the film Toys and provided voice work in the animated film Aladdin.
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.
1993: Starred in Mrs. Doubtfire
In 1993, Robin Williams starred in Mrs. Doubtfire.
1993: Golden Globe for Mrs. Doubtfire
In 1993, Robin Williams won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor—Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in Mrs. Doubtfire.
1996: Starred in The Birdcage and Jack
In 1996, Robin Williams starred in The Birdcage and Jack.
1997: Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
In 1997, Robin Williams won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Good Will Hunting.
1997: Academy Award for Good Will Hunting
In 1997, Robin Williams won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Good Will Hunting.
1998: Starred in Patch Adams
In 1998, Robin Williams starred in Patch Adams.
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.
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.
2002: Starred in Insomnia and One Hour Photo
In 2002, Robin Williams starred in the psychological thrillers Insomnia and One Hour Photo.
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.
2004: Death of Christopher Reeve
In 2004, Christopher Reeve, a close friend of Robin Williams, passed away.
2005: Starred in Robots
In 2005, Robin Williams provided voice work in Robots.
2005: Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award
In 2005, Robin Williams received the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award.
2005: Cecil B. DeMille Award
In 2005, Robin Williams was awarded the Cecil B. DeMille Award.
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.
2006: Starred in RV and Happy Feet
In 2006, Robin Williams starred in RV and provided voice work in Happy Feet.
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.
2009: Starred in World's Greatest Dad
In 2009, Robin Williams starred in the critically acclaimed drama World's Greatest Dad.
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.
2011: Starred in Happy Feet Two
In 2011, Robin Williams provided voice work in Happy Feet Two.
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: Starred in Night at the Museum series
In 2014, Robin Williams starred in the Night at the Museum series.
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.
February 29, 2016: "Robin Williams Tunnel" named
On February 29, 2016, a tunnel painted with a rainbow on Highway 101 was officially named the "Robin Williams Tunnel".
2017: "Robin Williams Meadow" Named
In 2017, Sharon Meadow in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, the home of the annual Comedy Day, was renamed "Robin Williams Meadow".
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.
September 2020: Release of 'Robin's Wish' Documentary
In September 2020, Vertical Entertainment released a documentary titled Robin's Wish, which explores Robin Williams's battle with Lewy body dementia.
May 2022: Induction into National Comedy Center Hall of Fame
In May 2022, Robin Williams was posthumously inducted into a hall of fame at the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York.
2025: Controversy over AI-generated videos
In 2025, Zelda Williams voiced her disapproval over AI-generated videos of her father, stating it's "not what he would have wanted."
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