Robin Williams

Early Life and Education

Robin Williams was an American actor, comedian, and entertainer known for his quick wit, improvisational skills, and wide range of performances. He was born on July 21, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois, and died on August 11, 2014, in Paradise Cay, California.

Robin Williams grew up in a wealthy family and attended Claremont McKenna College and the College of Marin before transferring to the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied drama. He made his debut on stage in 1971 in the off-Broadway production of “Fortune and Men’s Eyes.”

Breakthrough in Comedy

Midway through the 1970s, Williams’ big break came when he started doing stand-up comedy in bars and on television. He immediately gained popularity as a performer thanks to his frenetic energy, lightning-fast delivery, and improvisational talents, and he started appearing regularly on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” He made his debut appearance on television during “The Richard Pryor Show.”

Television Stardom

Robin Williams portrayed a role in an episode of “Happy Days” and then featured in the television show “Mork & Mindy” in 1978. Williams became well-known thanks to the four seasons of the program. Also, he made cameos on other television programs, such as “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and “The Cosby Show.”

Film Career

With a minor part in “Can I Do It ‘Til I Need Glasses” in 1977, Williams’ film career got off to a shaky start. In the years that followed, he appeared in a number of popular movies, such as “Popeye” (1980), “The World According to Garp” (1982), “Good Morning, Vietnam” (1987), “Dead Poets Society” (1989), “Awakenings” (1990), “The Fisher King” (1991), and “Aladdin” (1992).

Academy Award Win

For his part as a psychiatrist who counsels a disturbed young prodigy played by Matt Damon in “Good Will Hunting” (1997), Williams received the Oscar Award for Best Supporting Actor. For his roles in “The Fisher King” and “Dead Poets Society,” he was also nominated for Best Actor.

Charity and Humanitarian Work

Williams worked on a variety of other projects in addition to his work in cinema and television. He participated in a number of charity bike rides, such as the AIDS Lifecycle Ride, and was a keen rider. Also, he contributed to other humanitarian organizations, such as the Christopher Reeve Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Personal Life

Williams was married three times and had three children. He struggled with substance abuse throughout his life and checked into rehab several times. In 2009, he underwent heart surgery to replace an aortic valve.

Tragic Death

Williams, 63, was discovered dead at his Paradise Cay, California, home on August 11, 2014. It was established that hanging suicide was the cause of death.

Legacy and Honors

Williams was honored for his contributions to humor, movies, and charity, and his passing was deeply lamented. “Robin Williams: Come Inside My Head,” a documentary about his life, was published in 2018. He was posthumously inducted into the Stand-Up Hall of Fame in 2016. Williams’ name was also added to the name of a park in San Francisco, and his native Chicago unveiled a statue of him.