Biography
Robin McLaurin Williams (born July 21, 1951) is an American comedian revered by both children and adults for his unique expressiveness, charming awkwardness, and innocent yet intelligent dialogue.
Although best known as a comedian, Robin Williams was a versatile actor who could play a serious role just as quickly as a comedic one. He was nominated for three Oscars, winning one for his role in the film ‘Good Will Hunting.’
As the son of a prominent businessman, Robert Fitzgerald Williams, show business seemed like an odd career choice for Robin. As a child, he would often crack jokes in school and make people laugh; it was no surprise that his classmates voted him “Funniest”! He began his career as a stand-up comedian, and he was successful.
One thing led to another, and he was soon appearing on television in comedy shows. Robin Williams became so famous from the hit comedy ‘Mork & Mindy’ that he believed he would achieve even greater success.
As a result, he entered the film world and became a beloved comedian.
American actor
Robin Williams |
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 Robin Williams: History, Biography, Photos |
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| Wiki Events & About Data | |
| Full name: | Robin McLaurin Williams |
| Stage name: | Robin Williams |
| Born: | July 21, 1951 (age 63) |
| Place of birth: | St. Luke’s Hospital |
| Deceased: | August 11, 2014, Paradise Cay, California, USA |
| Nationality: | American |
| Parents: | Laurie McLaurin, Robert Fitzgerald Williams |
| The children: | Zelda Williams, Zachary Pym Williams, Cody Alan Williams |
| Height: | 1.7 minutes |
| Siblings: | Robert Todd Williams, McLaurin Smith Williams |
| Spouse • Wife: | Susan Schneider (married 2011–2014), Marsha Garces Williams (married 1989–2010), Valerie Velardi (married 1978–1988) |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | Elayne Boosler |
| Job: | Actor • Comedian |
| Net worth: | 50 million US dollars |
Early life
Robin Williams was one of three sons born to Robert Fitzgerald Williams and Laurie McLaurin in Chicago.
He was born on July 21, 1951. He died in 2014, at the age of 63.
His father was a prominent executive at Ford Motor Company, and his mother was a model. He is of mixed ancestry.
As a child, his family moved to Michigan and he attended Detroit Country Day School.
He is one of the best students and has excellent achievements in sports. However, he is bullied a lot at school.
Robin Williams was an introvert who spent a lot of time alone with his toys. But since both his parents worked, this lonely child entertained himself with his imagination.
He attended Redwood High School as a child and graduated in 1969. He was a popular student at school, often telling jokes and making people laugh.
He showed acting talent from an early age and received a full scholarship to the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City in 1973.
He was one of only two students accepted into John Houseman’s Advanced Placement Program that year. These students were Christopher Reeve and William Hurt.
Education
Robin Williams attended Redwood High School in California, and then went on to Marin College in Kentfield, California. He then enrolled at the famous Julliard School of Music in New York City.
Career
In the 1970s, Robin Williams began his career as a stand-up comedian. In 1977, while performing at the Comedy Club in Los Angeles, he was spotted by television producer George Schlatter and asked to appear on his ‘Laugh-In’ revue.
In late 1977, he made his television debut, expanding his stand-up routine. Although Laugh-In was a failure, it did bring him attention for his talent.
In 1978, Robin Williams auditioned for the role of Mork the Alien on the television comedy ‘Happy Days’. When asked to sit, he immediately sat on his head, which impressed producer Garry Marshall. The character was so popular that it spawned a spin-off.
The American sitcom ‘Mork & Mindy’, starring Robin Williams as Mork, an alien from the planet Ork, premiered in 1978. The show was a huge success and he became a famous comedian because of it. The show ran until 1982.
In 1979, he won a Grammy Award for his live comedy ‘Reality… What a Concept’, which he performed at the Copacabana in New York.
Although he made his big screen debut in 1977 with the comedy ‘Can I Do It ‘Till I Need Glasses?’, it wasn’t until 1980 that he got his first big break with the film ‘Popeye’, in which he played Popeye, the sailor.
He took on many other roles and in 1984 was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his role as Vladimir Ivanoff in the comedy-drama ‘Moscow on the Hudson’.
In the 1987 war comedy ‘Good Morning, Vietnam’, Robin Williams plays a radio DJ for the Armed Forces Radio Service, a role based on the life of radio DJ Adrian Cronauer.
In 1989, he starred in the drama ‘Dead Poets Society’, about an English teacher in a strict academy who inspires his students by teaching them poetry. The film was a huge success.
Personal life
Robin Williams also became involved in several tumultuous romantic relationships; even while married to actress Valerie Velardi, he continued to be interested in various women.
He and Valerie Velardi later divorced in 1988. The following year, he married his son’s nanny, Marsha Garces.
Despite his public setbacks, Robin Williams continued to act. He married his first wife, Valerie Velardi, in June 1978, after living with comedian Elayne Boosler.
He also married Susan Schneider in 2011. Their marriage ended in 2014.
Before his death, Robin Williams had three children, namely Zelda Williams, Zachary Pym Williams, and Cody Alan Williams.
Net worth
Robin Williams had a net worth of over $50 million as an American actor and comedian. Unfortunately, he passed away on the way.
