Broadway Dims Lights Tonight for Robin Williams

Robin Williams, Brad Fleischer and Glenn Davis. Photo: Carol Rosegg.

The Broadway community mourns the loss of beloved actor and comedy legend Robin Williams, who passed away on Monday at age 63. The marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed in his memory tonight, Wednesday, Aug.13 at exactly 7:45 pm for one minute.

After studying theatre at Julliard, Williams rose to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series “Mork and Mindy.” Williams went on to establish a successful career in both stand-up comedy and feature film acting, winning an Oscar for his supporting role in Good Will Hunting. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor three times, received two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and five Grammy Awards.

His film career included The World According to Garp; Good Morning, Vietnam; Dead Poets Society; Awakenings; The Fisher King; Good Will Hunting; Popeye; Hook; Aladdin; Mrs. Doubtfire; Jumanji; The Birdcage; Night at the Museum; and Happy Feet.

Williams starred in a number of theatrical productions, including Mike Nichols’s 1988 off-Broadway version of Waiting for Godot, co-starring with Steve Martin; and his own one-man show, Robin Williams: Live on Broadway. In 2011, he made his acting debut on Broadway in the title role of Rajiv Joseph’s drama Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, pictured above.

"Robin Williams was a comedic genius with limitless talent and stunning versatility who left this world far too early. He made an impact on everyone he met or entertained,” said Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League. “Whether on screen or live on stage, his multi-faceted talent always created memorable performances. Robin Williams will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans.”

Williams leaves his third wife, Susan Schneider, and three children: a son, Zachary Pym, whom he had with his first wife Valeri Velardi, and two children, Zelda Rae and Cody Alan, whom he had with his second wife Marsha Garces.