Robin Williams
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| - | '''John Adam Belushi''' ([[January 24]], [[1949]] – [[March 5]], [[1982]]) was an [[Emmy Award]]-winning [[United States|American]] [[comedian]], [[actor]] and [[musician]], notable for his work on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', ''[[National Lampoon's Animal House]]'', and ''[[The Blues Brothers]]''. | ||
| - | === Death === | ||
| - | On [[March 5]], [[1982]], Belushi was found dead in his room at Bungalow #3 of the [[Chateau Marmont Hotel|Chateau Marmont]] on [[Sunset Boulevard]] in [[Los Angeles, California]]. The cause of death was a [[Speedball (drug)|speedball]], an injection of [[cocaine]] and [[heroin]]. On the night of his death, he was visited separately by friends [[Robin Williams]] (at the height of his own drug exploits) and [[Robert De Niro]], each of whom left the premises, leaving Belushi in the company of assorted others, including [[Cathy Smith]]. His death was investigated by [[forensic pathology|forensic pathologist]] Dr. Ryan Norris among others, and while the findings were disputed, it was officially ruled a drug-related accident. | + | '''Robin Williams''' (born [[July 21]], [[1952]]) is a multi-award-winning [[United States|American]] [[actor]] and [[comedian]] who was born in [[Chicago, Illinois]]. He first achieved notice for his [[stand-up]] routines in [[San Francisco]]. His first major acting role was in the [[television]] series ''[[Mork and Mindy]]'', which ran from [[1978]] to [[1982]]. The majority of his acting career has been for [[cinema]]. |
| - | Two months later Smith, a former groupie for [[The Band]], admitted in an interview with the ''[[National Enquirer]]'' that she had been with Belushi the night of his death and had given him the fatal speedball shot. After the appearance of the article "I Killed Belushi" in the Enquirer edition of June 29, 1982, the case was reopened. Smith was extradited from Toronto, arrested and charged with [[Murder#Degrees of murder in the United States|first-degree murder]]. A [[plea bargain]] arrangement reduced the charges to [[Manslaughter#Involuntary manslaughter|involuntary manslaughter]], and she served 18 months in prison. | + | He is known for his wild [[Improvisational comedy|improv]] skills and [[impersonation]]s. He is a talented [[mimic]] and can jump in and out of characters at an extremely fast pace. |
| - | In one of his last TV appearances, he filmed a cameo for the comedy series ''[[Police Squad!]]''. As a favor to friend [[Tino Insana]], a writer on the program, Belushi was filmed, face down in a swimming pool, dead. The footage was part of a running gag where the episodes' guest-star wouldn't make it past the opening credit sequence without meeting some gruesome end. Also, as noted in one of the commentary tracks on the DVD, John nearly drowned during the filming of the scene. The scene never aired. | + | Many of his roles have been comic (eg. ''[[The Birdcage]]'', ''[[Mrs. Doubtfire]]''). He has also starred in serious movies (''[[Awakenings]]'' , ''[[What Dreams May Come]]'') and in [[1998]] he won an [[Academy_award|Oscar]] as Best Supporting Actor for his role as a psychiatrist in ''[[Good Will Hunting]]''. |
| + | Robin Williams and his wife Marsha Garces Williams founded the [[Windfall Foundation]], a philanthropic organization to raise money for many different charities. Robin Williams devotes much of his energy doing work for charities, including the [[Comic Relief]] fund-raising efforts. | ||
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| + | Williams was married to [[Valerie Velardi]] from [[June 4]], [[1978]] to [[1988]]) with whom he had one child. He is currently married to [[Marsha Garces Williams]] whom he wed on [[April 30]], [[1989]]. They have two children together. | ||
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| + | Williams is reported to have [[bipolar disorder]]. | ||
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Revision as of 09:49, 24 January 2009
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Robin Williams (born July 21, 1952) is a multi-award-winning American actor and comedian who was born in Chicago, Illinois. He first achieved notice for his stand-up routines in San Francisco. His first major acting role was in the television series Mork and Mindy, which ran from 1978 to 1982. The majority of his acting career has been for cinema.
He is known for his wild improv skills and impersonations. He is a talented mimic and can jump in and out of characters at an extremely fast pace.
Many of his roles have been comic (eg. The Birdcage, Mrs. Doubtfire). He has also starred in serious movies (Awakenings , What Dreams May Come) and in 1998 he won an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor for his role as a psychiatrist in Good Will Hunting.
Robin Williams and his wife Marsha Garces Williams founded the Windfall Foundation, a philanthropic organization to raise money for many different charities. Robin Williams devotes much of his energy doing work for charities, including the Comic Relief fund-raising efforts.
Williams was married to Valerie Velardi from June 4, 1978 to 1988) with whom he had one child. He is currently married to Marsha Garces Williams whom he wed on April 30, 1989. They have two children together.
Williams is reported to have bipolar disorder.
