Robin Williams (1951-2014) would have celebrated his 75th birthday on July 21. The American actor shaped the film industry for decades with his sense of humor and extraordinary versatility. Williams not only thrilled audiences in comedic roles but also impressively demonstrated his talent in serious films.

In dramas like "Awakenings" or the psychological thriller "Insomnia", he showed a different, darker side that equally convinced audiences and critics alike. For his supporting role in "Good Will Hunting", he was awarded the Oscar in 1998. The news of his death on August 11, 2014, shocked the film world. He left behind his wife and three children.

Humor as a Shield

Robin McLaurin Williams was born on July 21, 1951, in Chicago. He was the only child of Robert Fitzgerald Williams, a senior manager at Ford Motor Company, and Laurie McLaurin, who worked as a model. Williams grew up in affluent circumstances. However, due to his parents' busy schedules, he spent much time without them and was largely cared for by nannies. As a rather reserved child, he found it difficult to make connections.

Early on, he discovered humor as a protective mechanism. On the show "Inside the Actors Studio", Williams recalled this time: "I was so shy that I would retreat to my room for hours and play all alone with my toy soldiers." At the same time, he tried to gain his mother's attention at home by making her laugh. However, his passion for comedy only developed later. "I didn't really start with comedy until college. As a child, I was very quiet", Williams explained in conversation with "Interview Magazine".

Close Friendship with Christopher Reeve

In 1973, Williams received a full scholarship to the prestigious Juilliard School in New York. He was admitted along with Christopher Reeve (1952-2004) as one of only two participants in the "Advanced Program". Among his fellow students were William Hurt (1950-2022) and Mandy Patinkin (73). During this time, a close friendship developed between Williams and Reeve that lasted until Reeve's death. They also supported each other financially: "My student loan hadn't come through yet and he shared his food with me", Williams recalled in a Reddit AMA.

Years later, their deep connection was evident again when Reeve was hospitalized after a severe injury. Williams visited him and created a special moment in his own unique way. In Reeve's book "Still Me", it says: "The door flew open and in rushed a stocky man with a blue surgical cap, a yellow surgical gown, and glasses, speaking with a Russian accent. He announced that he was my proctologist and had to examine me immediately - it was Robin Williams, and for the first time since the accident, I laughed. My old friend had made me feel that somehow everything was going to be okay."

His Substance Dependency

Williams achieved his breakthrough on television with the sitcom "Mork & Mindy". Behind the scenes, however, he struggled with a severe cocaine dependency. About the effect of the substance, he told "People": "Cocaine was a place for me to hide. Most people get hyperactive from coke. It calmed me down more."

Williams was friends with comedian John Belushi (1949-1982), who died of a fatal overdose in 1982. The loss deeply shook him. This experience and especially the birth of his first son Zachary "Zak" Williams in April 1983 became crucial turning points for Williams, which he described in "Inside the Actors Studio" as a "wake-up call". Subsequently, he turned away from substances and found a new outlet in cycling. Bicycling became more than just a hobby for him. In a Reddit AMA, he explained: "I love riding bicycles most of all. I ride road bikes. And for me, it's a kind of meditation in motion."

Successful Film Career

From the 1980s onward, Robin Williams increasingly established himself in cinema and took on roles in films like "The World According to Garp" and "Moscow on the Hudson". For his performances in "Good Morning, Vietnam", "Dead Poets Society", and "The Fisher King", he each received an Oscar nomination. He finally won an Academy Award for "Good Will Hunting" as Best Supporting Actor. In the 1990s, Williams increasingly turned to family-friendly productions and landed a series of major box office successes. He lent his voice to the Genie in "Aladdin" - the animated film earned more than 500 million dollars worldwide.

He also celebrated box office successes with "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Jumanji". After the turn of the millennium, Williams showed his darker side. In "One Hour Photo", he portrayed a creepy photo technician, while in Christopher Nolan's "Insomnia", he appeared as an unscrupulous crime writer. About this role choice, he said in an interview with "Empire": "It wasn't a conscious plan to take on more serious roles. People think I'm likeable, and when this harmless-seeming guy actually turns out to be a brutal thug, that's an advantage."

Three Marriages for Williams

Williams was married three times and was the father of three children: Zachary, Zelda (36), and Cody (43). He entered his first marriage with actress Valerie Velardi, whom he met in 1976 during his time as a bartender in San Francisco. They married in 1978 but separated ten years later. In 1989, his second marriage followed with Marsha Garces, his son's former nanny, who was already pregnant with their daughter Zelda at that time. Son Cody was born in 1991. The relationship lasted until 2008, before the couple divorced in 2010 due to irreconcilable differences.

In October 2011, Williams finally married artist and graphic designer Susan Schneider. He lived with her in California until his death in 2014. About his love for women, Williams said in conversation with "Interview Magazine": "They are wonderful - they are amazing beings. You can never learn enough about them. They're addictive in the best sense. They have so many levels. There's the physical level, which is a lot of fun. And there's this emotional level, which is extremely changeable."

Unexpected Death

On August 11, 2014, the news of Robin Williams' death shocked fans worldwide. The actor was found deceased at the age of 63 in his home in California. His spokesperson stated at the time: "Robin Williams passed away this morning. He had been battling severe depression recently. This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for privacy during this very difficult time as they grieve."

Authorities later confirmed that Williams had taken his own life. According to the autopsy report, neither alcohol nor illegal substances were detected in his body. Additionally, after the autopsy, it became known that the actor had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia.

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Despite his early death, his artistic legacy endures: With his humor and versatility, Robin Williams made generations of viewers laugh.