Robin Williams
Biography
Robin Williams was an American actor and comedian whose quick invention and range of characters made him one of the most celebrated comics of his time. Born in Chicago, he began performing stand-up in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1976 and later in Los Angeles. He became a television star as the alien Mork on Mork & Mindy, which ran from 1978 to 1982. His first leading film role was Popeye (1980). His performance in Good Will Hunting (1997) brought him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and he earned Oscar nominations for Dead Poets Society (1989), Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), and The Fisher King (1991). His films ranged from Awakenings (1990) and Moscow on the Hudson (1984) to Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Jumanji (1995), and The Birdcage (1996). He voiced the Genie in Aladdin (1992) and also lent his voice to Robots (2005) and Happy Feet (2006). His honors included six Golden Globes, two Emmys, and five Grammys.
63years old at death
- Born Chicago
- Died Tiburon
- Star sign: CancerThe sign runs June 21 to July 22
- Robin McLaurin Williams (birth name)
Movie Career
- Films
- 77
- Career span
- 44 years1980 to 2024
Genres
- Comedy69%, 53 films
- Drama45%, 35 films
- Family21%, 16 films
- Adventure18%, 14 films
- Documentary16%, 12 films
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Big break
Garry Marshall gave Williams the part of the alien Mork in a 1978 episode of Happy Days, "My Favorite Orkan". Williams was a last-minute replacement, and he impressed the producer with his quirky humor by sitting on his head when told to take a seat at the audition.
Early training
Williams was one of only two students accepted by John Houseman into Juilliard's Advanced Program in 1973, the other being Christopher Reeve.
Early training
Williams left Juilliard in 1976, during his junior year, after Houseman told him the school had nothing more to teach him.
A role that slipped away
Williams refused to voice the Genie in The Return of Jafar due to Disney breaking an agreement about using the character in advertising, so Dan Castellaneta took over the role.
Robin Williams movies on Netflix
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Storyas Himself
Robin's Wishas Himself
Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mindas Self (voice and archive footage)
Absolutely Anythingas Dennis the Dog (voice)
A Merry Friggin' Christmasas Virgil Mitchler
All About Ann: Governor Richards of the Lone Star Stateas Himself
Boulevardas Nolan Mack
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tombas Teddy Roosevelt / Voice of Garuda
The Angriest Man in Brooklynas Henry Altmann
Richard Pryor: Omit the Logicas Himself
The Big Weddingas Father Moinighan
The Face of Loveas Roger Stillman
Happy Feet 2as Ramon / Lovelace (voice)
Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him?)as Himself
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonianas Teddy Roosevelt
Old Dogsas Dan
Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destructionas Himself
Shrinkas Holden
World's Greatest Dadas Lance
Dreams with Sharp Teethas Himself
August Rushas Maxwell 'Wizard' Wallace
License to Wedas Reverend Frank
Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Projectas Himself
Happy Feetas Ramon / Lovelace (voice)
Man of the Yearas Tom Dobbs
Night at the Museumas Teddy Roosevelt
RVas Bob Munro
The Night Listeneras Gabriel Noone
Emmanuel's Giftas Himself
Robotsas Fender (voice)
The Big Whiteas Paul Barnell
House of Das Pappass
Noelas Charlie Boyd / The Priest
The Final Cutas Alan Hakman
Death to Smoochyas Rainbow Randolph
Insomniaas Walter Finch
One Hour Photoas Seymour Parrish
Robin Williams: Live on Broadwayas Himself
Bicentennial Manas Andrew Martin
Jakob the Liaras Jakob
Patch Adamsas Patch Adams
What Dreams May Comeas Chris Nielsen
Fathers' Dayas Dale Putley
Flubberas Professor Philip Brainard
Good Will Huntingas Sean Maguire
Aladdin and the King of Thievesas Genie (voice)
Hamletas Osric
Jackas Jack Powell
The Birdcageas Armand Goldman
The Secret Agentas The Professor
Jumanjias Alan Parrish
Nine Monthsas Dr. Kosevich
Being Humanas Hector
In Search of Dr. Seussas The Father
Mrs. Doubtfireas Daniel Hillard / Mrs. Doubtfire
A Spinal Tap Reunion: The 25th Anniversary London Sell-Outas Robin Williams
Aladdinas Genie / Peddler (voice)
FernGully: The Last Rainforestas Batty Koda (voice)
Toysas Leslie Zevo
A Wish for Wings That Workas Kiwi (credited as Sudy Nim) (voice)
Dead Againas Doctor Cozy Carlisle
Hookas Peter Banning
Shakes the Clownas Mime Class Instructor
The Fisher Kingas Parry
Awakeningsas Dr. Malcolm Sayer
Cadillac Manas Joey O'Brien
Dead Poets Societyas John Keating
The Adventures of Baron Munchausenas King of the Moon
Good Morning, Vietnamas Adrian Cronauer
Club Paradiseas Jack Moniker
Robin Williams: An Evening at the Metas Himself
The Best of Timesas Jack Dundee
Moscow on the Hudsonas Vladimir Ivanoff
The Survivorsas Donald Quinelle
The Tale of the Frog Princeas The Frog / Prince Robin
The World According to Garpas Garp
Popeyeas Popeye
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Shawn Levy directed three of these films, Chris Columbus three and Barry Levinson three. Eric Idle appears in four of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.










Films together
Eric Idle4 films together, 1982 to 2018
Eric Idle's page Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind2018IMDb rating 7.9Williams as Self (voice and archive footage)Idle as Himself
Absolutely Anything2015IMDb rating 6.0Williams as Dennis the DogvoiceIdle as Salubrious Gatvoice
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen1988IMDb rating 7.1Williams as King of the MoonIdle as Desmond / Berthold
The Tale of the Frog Prince1982IMDb rating 7.5Williams as The Frog / Prince RobinIdle as Narrator
Frank Welker3 films together, 1991 to 1996
Frank Welker's page Aladdin and the King of Thieves1996IMDb rating 6.3Williams as GenievoiceWelker as Abu / Rajah / Fazahlvoice
Aladdin1992IMDb rating 8.0Williams as Genie / PeddlervoiceWelker as Abu / Cave of Wonders / Rajahvoice
A Wish for Wings That Work1991IMDb rating 7.6Williams as Kiwi (credited as Sudy Nim)voiceWelker as Santa Clausvoice
Robert De Niro3 films together, 1990 to 2013
Robert De Niro's page The Big Wedding2013IMDb rating 5.6Williams as Father MoinighanNiro as Don
Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project2007IMDb rating 7.6Williams as HimselfNiro as Himself
Awakenings1990IMDb rating 7.8Williams as Dr. Malcolm SayerNiro as Leonard Lowe
Susan Sarandon3 films together, 2004 to 2024
Susan Sarandon's page Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story2024IMDb rating 8.0Williams as HimselfSarandon as Himself
The Big Wedding2013IMDb rating 5.6Williams as Father MoinighanSarandon as Bebe
Noel2004IMDb rating 6.1Williams as Charlie Boyd / The PriestSarandon as Rose Collins
Whoopi Goldberg3 films together, 2007 to 2024
Whoopi Goldberg's page Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story2024IMDb rating 8.0Williams as HimselfGoldberg as Himself
Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic2013IMDb rating 7.3Williams as HimselfGoldberg as Himself
Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project2007IMDb rating 7.6Williams as HimselfGoldberg as Himself
Ben Stiller3 films together, 2006 to 2014
Ben Stiller's page Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb2014IMDb rating 6.2Williams as Teddy Roosevelt / Voice of GarudaStiller as Larry Daley / Laaa
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian2009IMDb rating 6.0Williams as Teddy RooseveltStiller as Larry Daley
Night at the Museum2006IMDb rating 6.5Williams as Teddy RooseveltStiller as Larry Daley
Shawn LevyDirector, 3 films, 2006 to 2014
All films by Shawn Levy Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb2014IMDb rating 6.2Williams as Teddy Roosevelt / Voice of Garuda
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian2009IMDb rating 6.0Williams as Teddy Roosevelt
Night at the Museum2006IMDb rating 6.5Williams as Teddy Roosevelt
Chris ColumbusDirector, 3 films, 1993 to 1999
All films by Chris Columbus Bicentennial Man1999IMDb rating 6.9Williams as Andrew Martin
Nine Months1995IMDb rating 5.5Williams as Dr. Kosevich
Mrs. Doubtfire1993IMDb rating 7.1Williams as Daniel Hillard / Mrs. Doubtfire
Barry LevinsonDirector, 3 films, 1987 to 2006
All films by Barry Levinson Man of the Year2006IMDb rating 6.2Williams as Tom Dobbs
Toys1992IMDb rating 5.2Williams as Leslie Zevo
Good Morning, Vietnam1987IMDb rating 7.3Williams as Adrian Cronauer
Also three films together11 more actors
- Steve CooganNight at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014), Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) and Night at the Museum (2006)
- Andrea MartinNight at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014), In Search of Dr. Seuss (1994) and Club Paradise (1986)
- Hank AzariaHappy Feet 2 (2011), Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) and The Birdcage (1996)
- Paul DooleyInsomnia (2002), Shakes the Clown (1991) and Popeye (1980)
- Billy CrystalRobin Williams: Come Inside My Mind (2018), Fathers' Day (1997) and In Search of Dr. Seuss (1994)
- Ricky GervaisNight at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014), Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) and Night at the Museum (2006)
- Michael JeterJakob the Liar (1999), Patch Adams (1998) and The Fisher King (1991)
- Rami MalekNight at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014), Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) and Night at the Museum (2006)
- Patrick GallagherNight at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014), Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) and Night at the Museum (2006)
- Donovan ScottThe Best of Times (1986), The Tale of the Frog Prince (1982) and Popeye (1980)
- Mizuo PeckNight at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014), Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) and Night at the Museum (2006)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Box office
What Robin Williams's films earned in cinemas worldwide.
Combined worldwide box office
$6.1 billion
57 of the 77 films have a worldwide figure.
Of the 77 films: 57 worldwide figure; 3 us gross only; 11 never in cinemas; 6 figure not found.
- 57Worldwide figure
- 3US gross only
- 11Never in cinemas
- 6Figure not found
Highest grossing
The eight biggest films earned 53% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.
- 1$574M9.4% of the total
- 2$504M8.2% of the total
- 3$441M7.2% of the total
- 4$413M6.7% of the total
- 5$384M6.3% of the total
- 6$363M5.9% of the total
- 7$301M4.9% of the total
- 8$263M4.3% of the total
Awards
Fifteen awards and honors from 1979 to 2005, fifteen of them major.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Awards | |||
| 1998 | Best Supporting Actor | Good Will Hunting | Won |
| Golden Globes | |||
| 2005 | Cecil B. DeMille Award | Won | |
| 1994 | Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy | Mrs. Doubtfire | Won |
| 1992 | Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy | The Fisher King | Won |
| 1988 | Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy | Good Morning, Vietnam | Won |
| 1979 | Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy | Mork & Mindy | Won |
| Emmy Awards | |||
| 1988 | Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program | Won | |
| 1987 | Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program | Carol, Carl, Whoopi and Robin | Won |
| SAG Awards | |||
| 1998 | Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role | Good Will Hunting | Won |
| 1997 | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | The Birdcage | Won |
| Grammy Awards | |||
| 2003 | Best Comedy Album | Won | |
| 1989 | Best Album for Children | Pecos Bill | Won |
| 1989 | Best Comedy Album | Good Morning, Vietnam | Won |
| 1988 | Best Comedy Album | A Night at the Met | Won |
| 1980 | Best Comedy Album | Won | |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.













