Age and vital dates
Robin Williams was born on July 21, 1951 and died on August 11, 2014. At the time of his death he was 63 years old. If he were alive today, his age would be calculated from his last birthday relative to the current date. The dates are widely reported in biographies, obituaries, and authoritative databases, and they underpin any reliable answer about how old he was or would have been.
Age at death and key milestones
Williams lived 63 years. His career spanned several decades and included rapid rise to fame in the 1980s and sustained work into the 2010s. Below is a concise table of verified milestones, including birth and death dates, a signature career milestone, and associated ages calculated from those dates.
Timeline snapshot
| Date or Period | Event | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 21, 1951 | Birth | Born in Chicago, Illinois | Biographical reference |
| 1980 | Mork & Mindy debut | Aired; Williams was about 29 | Network records |
| 1989 | Good Will Hunting | Oscar win; Williams was about 38 | Academy Awards |
| August 11, 2014 | Death | Died at 63 in Paradise Cay, California | Coroner and obituary reports |
How to calculate his age today
To determine how old Robin Williams would be today, start from his birth date and compare it to today’s date. Example: if today is after July 21 in the current year, add the difference in years from 1951; if today is before July 21, subtract one year because he has not yet had his birthday. Applying this method will yield his current hypothetical age if he were alive, while clearly distinguishing that he died in 2014 at 63.
Common questions about his age
People often ask about Williams’ age at career milestones and whether confusion arises from different counting systems (chronological vs. biological age). His age at major events is consistently documented: he was 29 at the 1980 TV debut of Mork & Mindy, 38 at the 1989 release of Good Will Hunting, and 63 at his death in 2014. These figures rely on the standard way age is calculated from exact birth and event dates.
Clarifying terminology and sources
When discussing how old someone is or would be, it’s important to distinguish between age at a past event, age at death, and hypothetical age if still alive. Reliable sources include official biographies, census and vital records, and reputable news outlets. Cross-checking multiple sources reduces errors and confirms that Williams was born in 1951 and died at 63 in 2014.
Remembering his legacy
Beyond dates, Williams’ influence on comedy and improvisation remains relevant. His age at key moments helps contextualize the pace of his work and the span of his creative output. Accurate timelines support respectful remembrance and support ongoing discussion about his body of work and cultural impact.
Quick facts recap
- Born: July 21, 1951
- Died: August 11, 2014, at age 63
- Hypothetical age today: 73 (if alive as of 2024)
- Career start: Stand-up in late 1970s, TV in 1980 with Mork & Mindy
- Major recognition: Oscar win for Good Will Hunting (1989)