Robin Williams

Channel 4 Mrs Doubtfire: Robin Williams’ iconic career and his tragic death

Fans across the world were left devastated when the actor died in 2014 at the age of just 63

Fans of Robin Williams were left in total shock when the news that the comedian had taken his own life was announced on August 11, 2014.

The gifted actor, comedian, and showman brought laughter and energy to generations over decades of film and television performances.

In August Robin Williams’s son, Zak, led the tributes to his dad on the anniversary of the comic’s death.

At the time he wrote: “Dad, seven years ago today you passed on. The joy and inspiration you brought to the world carry on in your legacy and in your family, friends, and fans you so loved.

Robin Williams committed suicide in 2014
Robin Williams committed suicide in 2014 (Image: Albert Chau/FilmMagic)

“You lived to bring laughter and to help others. I will be celebrating your memory today. Love you forever.”

Robin William’s films

Robin Williams had a formidable career with an extensive list of films loved by audiences from Dead Poet’s Society to Aladdin , from Mrs Doubtfire to Hook .

His career stretched over five decades from his earlier films, which included classics such as Popeye and Good Morning, Vietnam .

It was in the 1990s that Robin Williams shone with the roles that saw him dominate the industry.

Jumanji, Hook, Jack, Patch Adams , and Flubber were just some of the films that brought families together through laughter and heart.

Oscar-winner

Despite Robin Williams mainly being known as a comic actor, in 1997 he blew audiences away with his performance in Good Will Hunting.

Robin Williams won an Oscar in 1997 for best supporting actor in Good Will Hunting
Robin Williams won an Oscar in 1997 for best supporting actor in Good Will Hunting (Image: Getty Images)

Alongside the film’s writers and actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, Williams played a psychiatrist who helped a young mathematical genius untangle his mind from his demons.

Williams’ performance won him an Academy Award for best supporting actor in the year it was released.

He also won six Golden Globe Awards, including best actor in a musical or comedy for his roles in Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), The Fisher King (1991) and Mrs Doubtfire (1993).

Family life

Robin Williams had his first child Zak, 38, with his first wife Valerie Velardi and then also had two children with his second wife, Marsha Garces, called Zelda, 32, and son Cody, 29.

Williams married for a third time in 2011 to Susan Schneider who he remained married to until his death at the age of 63.

In July, Zak revealed his frustration that his dad was misdiagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and it was only in his autopsy did it come to light that he was actually suffering from Lewy body dementia – a rare form of the degenerative disease.

“‘What he was going through didn’t match one to one [with what] many Parkinson’s patients experience. So, I think that was hard for him,” Zak said.

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