Williams briefly studied political science at Claremont College before heading to New York City to study acting at Julliard. While at Julliard, he decided to focus on comedy and headed back to California to try his luck at stand-up routines. Robin got his big break while performing at the L.A. Comedy Club, which eventually led to a role as Mork the Ork on Happy Days. His character was so popular that producer Garry Marshall created an entire show for Williams. Since then his career has never faltered.

One of the skills for which Robin Williams is best known is his amazing ability to improvise dialogue. On his television show, Mork & Mindy, the writers would actually leave gaps in the script saying, "Mork can go off here." His talent at taking a character and running with it is unparalleled. However, early in his career it sometimes got him in trouble. His improv skills didn't serve him well in his starring-role debut in the film Popeye, and the director of his next big film, The World According to Garp, nearly threw him off the set for his antics. Before too long Robin learned how to harness his talents, and producers and writers learned how to tailor projects to those talents.

The 1987's Good Morning, Vietnam is a perfect example of a film that played to all of Williams' strengths. His character, Adrian Cronauer, was a DJ for the Armed Forces Radio in Saigon during the height of the Vietnam War. He was beloved by the troops, but he infuriated his superiors with what they described as his "irreverent tendency." The largely unscripted scenes of Williams in his role of a disc jockey allowed him the freedom to create an engaging, sympathetic and, often times, manic observer of the Vietnam tragedy. This career-changing role earned Williams his first Oscar nomination. In the next few years, he would receive two more Oscar nominations for his work in Dead Poets Society and The Fisher King. He finally won the Oscar for his performance in 1997's Good Will Hunting.

In the late 1990s and into this century, Robin Williams has lent his vocal talents to various animated films, including Aladdin and Happy Feet. He's also experimented with serious, dark roles in films such as Death to Smoochy and One Hour Photo. More recently, however, we've seen him return to his comic best in Man of the Year and Night at the Museum.

There's plenty more coming from this oftentimes outrageous actor. Two more Robin Williams' films are scheduled for release this year, and he is working on other projects. He currently lives in San Francisco with his second wife, Marsha. He has three children: Zachary born in 1983, Zelda born in 1989 and Cody born in 1992.

Discussion Break What are some of your favorite Robin Williams movies? Why? What do the members of your group enjoy watching more - comedies or dramas? Why? Name your favorite comedy movie. What did you find so funny about it?

Trivia & Interesting Facts

• Robin worked as a mime while studying drama at Julliard.
• When he auditioned for the role of Mork from Ork, he met Garry Marshall. When Marshall told him to sit down, Robin immediately sat on his head on the chair. Marshall chose him, saying that he was the only real alien who auditioned.
• While at Julliard, Robin became friends with actor Christopher Reeve. They remained good friends until Reeve's death in 2004.
• Williams enjoys cycling and occasionally trains with Lance Armstrong.
• He was a guest on Johnny Carson's last episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, along with Bette Midler.
• Though he is highly regarded for his ability to perform many different voices, he has lent his voice to only five animated features: FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992), Aladdin (1992), Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1995), Robots (2005) and Happy Feet (2006).
• In the 1980s, Robin Williams fought a battle with alcoholism. After receiving treatment, he was clean for nearly 20 years, only to re-enter rehab in 2006. When asked about his problems with alcohol he has noted, "There is some regret and sadness about having to go through rehab again, but there is also hope. I wish this hadn't happened, but it did. However, my family have told me they love me. The ultimate gift is realizing you are back, so bye bye ego."

Career Highlights

• 1984: Golden Globe Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, for Moscow on the Hudson
• 1987: Golden Globe Winner for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, for Good Morning, Vietnam, and Academy Award Nominated for Best Actor in a Lead Role, for Good Morning, Vietnam
• 1989: Academy Award Nominated for Best Actor in a Lead Role, for Dead Poets Society
• 1990: Golden Globe Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama, for Awakenings
• 1991: Golden Globe Winner for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy and Academy Award Nominated for Best Actor in a Lead Role, both for The Fisher King
• 1993: Golden Globe Winner for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy for Mrs. Doubtfire
• 1997: Golden Globe Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture and Academy Award Winner - Best Actor in a Supporting Role, for Good Will Hunting
• 1998: Golden Globe Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, for Patch Adams
• 2002: Grammy Award Winner for Best Spoken Comedy Album, for Robin Williams Live

Television & Film Highlights

Mork & Mindy - Television 1978-1982
The World According to Garp - 1982
Good Morning, Vietnam - 1987
Dead Poets Society - 1989
Awakenings - 1990
Hook - 1991
Aladdin - 1992
Mrs. Doubtfire - 1993
Good Will Hunting - 1997
Patch Adams - 1998
Night at the Museum - 2006

Want a full list of films, with links to full details about each film? See www.imdb.com.

Quotes

• "You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it."
• “Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"
• "Politics: 'Poli' - a Latin word meaning 'many' and 'tics' meaning 'bloodsucking creatures.'"
• "Never pick a fight with an ugly person; they've got nothing to lose."
• “Comedy is acting out optimism.”
• “Mickey Mouse to a three-year-old is a six-foot-tall RAT!”
• "Why do they call it rush hour when nothing moves?"
• "If it's the Psychic Network why do they need a phone number?"

Activity Suggestions

Additional Links

• Robin Williams Fansite
• Another Bio
• Audio Clip from an NPR Interview with Robin Williams
• The Roles that Move Robin Most
• Robin Williams' Appearance on Bravo's Inside the Actors Studio