Robin Williams – comedic genius

Robin Williams was an American actor, screenwriter, producer and stand-up comedian. He became popular after his role in the comedy series Mork & Mindy. His film career includes many works by famous directors, such as Popeye (1980), August Rush (2007), and many others. Williams voiced Genie in the cartoon Aladdin (1992). Throughout his acting career Williams starred in about 100 films. He received three Oscar nominations and won the statuette for Best Supporting Actor in the film Good Will Hunting (1997). He was also the owner of two Emmy awards, four Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild awards and five Grammy awards. There is his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contribution to the film industry.
Robin McLaurin Williams was born on July 21, 1951 in Chicago, Illinois. His father, Robert Fitzgerald Williams was a senior manager in Ford Motors and his mother Laurie Williams was a former model. Robin had a lot of expensive toys, but wasn’t happy because he was lonely. Parents were constantly busy. His only friends were the turtle and the dog. However at school Robin had a lot of friends. After school, Williams entered Claremont College, where he studied political science. He was expelled for academic failure.

20-year-old Robin moved to New York, where he studied drama at the Juilliard School of Drama. There he roomed with actor Christopher Reeve, who remained a close friend. In the evenings Robin moonlighted as a waiter at a nightclub. Over the next few years he worked in nightclubs as actor-humorist. During this time he met his first wife.
In 1978, Williams moved to Los Angeles, where he was offered the lead role in the TV series Happy Days. Robin played the role of alien Mork. The character was so popular that it was decided to create sitcom Mork & Mindy. Williams played a major role in the show until 1982.

Robin McLaurin Williams

In 1980, Robin debuted in the role of sailor Popeye in the film by Robert Altman.
In 1984, the actor brilliantly played illegal immigrant Vladimir Ivanov in the film Moscow on the Hudson. The film was a huge success in the United States.
His finest hour came in 1987 when he starred in the role of DJ Adrian Kroner in the comedy Good Morning, Vietnam. For this role Williams won Golden Globe and was nominated for Oscar. For his roles in the films Dead Poets Society (1989) and The Fisher King (1991) the actor was twice nominated for Oscar.
In the blockbuster Mrs. Doubtfire he played the estranged husband of Sally Field and cross-dressed as a nanny in order to remain close to his three children.
Jumanji (1995), a saga of characters trapped inside a board game, demonstrated a darker side to Williams.
Robin starred in the role of psychologist in the film Good Will Hunting. His partners in the film were Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. This role finally brought Williams Oscar statuette.
In 2005, Robin was awarded Golden Globe for his contribution to cinema.
In late 2014, the last film with his participation Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb was released.
Robin Williams died on August 11, 2014 in Tiburon, California at the age of 63. His body was cremated the day after the death, and the ashes were scattered in Marin County of San Francisco Bay.

Personal life
In 1976, when Williams worked as a bartender in a tavern in San Francisco, he met model and actress Valerie Velardi. On June 4, 1978 they were married. In 1983 Valeria gave birth to their son Zachary Tim Williams.

Williams with his first wife Valeria

In 1984, Williams had a love affair with waitress Michelle Tish Carter.
In 1988, after 10 years of marriage, Williams and Velardi divorced.
On April 30, 1989 Robin married Zachary’s nanny – Marsha Garces. In this marriage he had two children: daughter Zelda Rae (born in 1989) and son Cody Allen (born in 1991). In March 2008, Garces filed for divorce.

Robin Williams with his second wife Marsha and children

On October 23, 2011 Williams married graphic designer Susan Schneider.

Robin Williams and his third wife Susan Schneider

Interesting facts
– Williams was engaged in cycling and was fond of kayaking.
– Robin was a fan of video games and named his daughter after Princess Zelda from the game The Legend of Zelda. He was one of several celebrities who participated in the Worldwide Dungeons & Dragons Game Day in2007 in London.