Mike Werb

Robin McLaurin Williams (1951-2014) was an American Oscar-winning actor, comedian, musician, and voice artist. Beginning his career in the 1970s as a stand-up comedian, Williams gained prominence in the mid-1980s through film, achieving a large fan base with both comedic and dramatic roles. Born in Chicago in 1951 to Laura, a former model, and Robert, a Ford executive, Williams's childhood was spent in Michigan and California. He was accepted into the prestigious Juilliard School and graduated in 1976. After graduation, he performed in nightclubs and took on small roles in TV series before transitioning to film. Throughout his stage career, he received 3 Grammy Awards. In 1980, he had his first major breakthrough with the film *Popeye*. His mastery of accents allowed him to successfully portray the character Vladimir in the 1984 film *Moscow on the Hudson*, earning him his first Golden Globe nomination. He hosted the Academy Awards in 1986. In 1987, he rose to fame for his role as an army radio disc jockey in *Good Morning, Vietnam*. He later achieved a significant milestone with his role as John Keating in *Dead Poets Society*. During the 1990s, he starred in numerous successful films, including *Hook* (1991), *Mrs. Doubtfire* (1993), and *Jumanji* (1995). He also became memorable for his voice acting as the Genie in the 1992 animated film *Aladdin*. His solidified place among Hollywood's greatest actors came with the 1997 film *Good Will Hunting*. His unforgettable performance as Sean Maguire earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, proving his talent not only in comedic films but also in drama. That same year, he was ranked 63rd on Empire Magazine's list of the 100 greatest movie stars of all time. In later years, he appeared in many films, including *Patch Adams*, *Jakob the Liar*, *Night at the Museum*, *Man of the Year*, and *The Angriest Man in Brooklyn*. He also starred alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar in the 2013 TV series *The Crazy Ones*, which ran for one season. In 2005, he received the Cecil B. DeMille Award. He co-owned the Rubicon Restaurant in San Francisco with Robert De Niro and was a keen follower of sports like cycling and rugby. Williams married Valerie Velardi in 1978 and had a son, Zak, in 1983. After their 1988 divorce, he married Marsha Garces on April 30, 1989, with whom he had two children, Zelda and Cody Alan Williams. He divorced Garces in 2008 and married graphic designer Susan Schneider in 2011. Robin Williams was found dead at his home in Marin County, California, on August 11, 2014. Investigations revealed that he died from oxygen deprivation due to suicide. It was reported that he had suffered from severe depression and Parkinson's disease in the final years of his life. Many celebrities offered condolences after his death. His remains were cremated and his ashes scattered in San Francisco Bay the day after his death.