Robin Williams

This article is about the American stand-up comedian and actor. For other uses, see Robin Williams (disambiguation).
Robin McLaurin Williams (July 21, 1951 – August 11, 2014) was an American stand-up comedian and actor. Starting as a stand-up comedian in San Francisco and Los Angeles in the mid-1970s, he is credited with leading San Francisco's comedy renaissance.[5] After rising to fame as Mork in Mork & Mindy (1978–82), Williams established a career in both stand-up comedy and feature film acting. He was known for his improvisational skills.[6][7]

Robin Williams
Robin Williams (6451536411) (cropped).jpg
Williams at the Happy Feet Two
premiere in Sydney in December 2011
Born Robin McLaurin Williams
July 21, 1951
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died August 11, 2014 (aged 63)
Paradise Cay, California, U.S.
Cause of death Suicide by hanging (Asphyxia)
Resting place Cremated; ashes scattered in San Francisco Bay
Occupation Stand-up comedian, actor
Years active 1976–2014
Spouse(s)
Valerie Velardi
(m. 1978; div. 1988)
Marsha Garces
(m. 1989; div. 2010)
Susan Schneider
(m. 2011)
Children
3, including Zelda Williams
Comedy career
Medium Stand-up comedy, film, television
Genres Observational comedy, improvisational comedy, character comedy, self-deprecation, surreal humor
After his first starring film role in Popeye (1980), Williams starred or co-starred in widely acclaimed films, including The World According to Garp (1982), Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), Dead Poets Society (1989), Awakenings (1990), The Fisher King (1991), Aladdin (1992), Good Will Hunting (1997), and One Hour Photo (2002), as well as financial successes, such as Hook (1991), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Jumanji (1995), The Birdcage (1996), Night at the Museum (2006), and World's Greatest Dad (2009).

Williams won the 1997 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as teacher Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting. He also received two Emmy Awards, seven Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and five Grammy Awards throughout his career.

On August 11, 2014, Williams committed suicide by hanging at his home in Paradise Cay, California.[8] His wife attributed his suicide to his struggle with Lewy body dementia.[9]