Whether you know him best from his stand-up comedy, his role in Mork & Mindy or his many blockbuster movies in the 1980s and 1990s, there’s one thing everyone can agree on: Robin Williams (July 21, 1951 – August 11, 2014) was a truly gifted, creative performer.
Williams started out during the stand-up comedy boom of the 1970s, and his wacky persona made him destined for stardom. Over time, he proved himself to be more than just a goofball, and won an Oscar for his powerful role in Good Will Hunting. His fanbase spanned generations, thanks to his roles in kid-friendly fare like Jumanji, Flubber and Aladdin. In short, there was nothing Williams couldn’t do.
In 1976, Williams began performing stand-up comedy. TV appearances soon followed, and in 1978, he was cast as Mork, a friendly alien, on an episode of Happy Days called “My Favorite Orkan.”
Viewers loved the character so much that later that year he got his own spinoff, Mork & Mindy. Williams frequently improvised, put on silly voices and did physical comedy in the role, making him a wholly unique presence. His wild comic talents led him to his first starring feature film as the titular sailor in Popeye in 1980.
With his Mork & Mindy success, Williams was able to reach a wider audience with his stand-up comedy, but it wasn’t all fun and games. “It’s a brutal field,” Williams once said of the life of a stand-up comic. “It takes its toll. If you’re on the road, it’s even more brutal… The pressure kicks in. You become obsessed and then you lose that focus that you need.”
Here, below is a selection of 20 vintage photos of a young Robin Williams in the 1970s:
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