Robin Williams World History

ScrapbookPhoebe Gydesen Pd. 6

Early Childhood

• Robin McLaurin Williams

• Born- July, 21 1951– Chicago, Illinois

• Father, Robert, executive for Ford Motor Company

• Mother, Laurie, retired fashion model

• Robin was bullied during his much of his childhood

• Had weight problems – Spent most of his time in his

parents’ house

Adolescent Years

• Eventually conquered his “fat” label – Went out for track and

wrestling

• Realized that his ability to make others laugh could help him gain respect from kids

• When Robin was 16, his father retired early

• The family moved to California– Graduated from

Redwood High School in 1969

• After high school, attended Claremont Men’s College– Studied political

science & played soccer

• Took improvisation classes

• Entered College of Marin to study acting

• Won a full scholarship to Juilliard College

• While at Julliard:– Studied with

Christopher Reeve & became lifelong friends

– Met his first wife, Valerie Velardi

Robin’s Career Beginning• Practiced stand up comedy

& left acting in pursuit of a career as a comedian

• In 1977, Williams won a spot on The Richard Pryor Show

• Got his first big break as “Mork” on Happy Days

• Sparked the show Mork and Mindy– Show earned him his first

Golden Globe in 1979

• 1980- Took the title role in Robert Altman's “Popeye”

• 1982- Williams battle with drugs and alcohol had negative effects on his personal life

Robin’s Career

• Robin did five more films before his first break-through role

• “Good Morning, Vietnam”– Earned first Academy

Award nomination & second Golden Globe win

• 1987- Valerie and Robin separate

• 1989- Williams marries Marsha Garces

• The same year Williams starred in “Dead Poet’s Society”– This earned him his

second Oscar nomination

Movie Madness

• 1991- Stars in “The Fisher King”- acclaimed as his best film to date

• Also starred in Steven Spielberg’s “Hook”

• Williams proved his skill as a voice actor in the 1992 film “Aladdin” as the Genie

Mrs. Doubtfire

• Wife Marsha runs across “Mrs. Doubtfire” script & suggests it to Robin

• Earned 200 million in the box office and a Golden Globe Award for Williams

• 1995- Received an Emmy nomination for a brief role in the TV programme Homicide: Life On The Streets

• Filmed “Jumanji” the same year

• Starred in the 1996 film “The Birdcage”

• The same year, Williams played the lead in “Jack”

• 1997 was a superb year for Robin

• The hit film “Flubber” started off the 1997 year

• “Good Will Hunting” earned Williams his first Academy Award– Best Actor in a

Supporting Role

Accomplishments• Academy Award

– Best Actor in a Supporting Role• “Good Will Hunting”

• Emmy Award – Best Individual Role in a

Variety or Music Program• Carol and Carl and Whoopi and

Robin

• Golden Globe Awards– Best Actor- Motion Picture,

Musical, or Comedy• Good Morning Vietnam• The Fisher King• Mrs. Doubtfire

• Golden Globe Awards– Best Actor in a Television

Comedy or Musical• Mork and Mindy

– Cecil B. DeMille Award• Grammy Awards– Best Comedy Album

• Reality…What a Concept• A Night at the Met• Good Morning, Vietnam

• Grammy Awards– Best Spoken Comedy

Album• Robin Williams- Live 2002

• Screen Actors Guild Awards– Best Cast in a Motion

Picture• The Birdcage

– Best Supporting Actor- Motion Picture• Good Will Hunting

• Numerous American Comedy Awards spanning three decades

Robin’s Legacy• Robin Williams is known

around the world for his entertaining skills.

• He is also involved in many philanthropic projects, including the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.

• His works will undoubtedly continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.

Robin McLaurin Williams