Mindy, which ran from 1978 to 1982.
The American public was captivated
by the manic, free-associating char-
acter of Mork, who was featured on
lunchboxes and posters and added
several catchphrases to the lexicon,
including his trademark greeting,
“nanoo nanoo.” Williams had be-
come an overnight sensation.
In 1980, Williams graduated from
television to film with his debut in
Robert Altman’s version ofPopeye,a
critical and box-office disappoint-
ment. His next movie,The World Ac-
cording to Garp(1982), was a critical
success, andMoscow on the Hudson
(1984) was also well received, but it
wasGood Morning, Vietnam(1987)
that not only secured Williams’s rep-
utation as a serious actor but also
garnered him a Best Actor Oscar
nomination. In 1989, he received a second Best Actor
nomination for his work inDead Poets Society.
During the 1980’s, Williams continued his stand-
up career with Home Box Office (HBO) comedy
specials in 1982 and 1986 and was named number
thirteen on Comedy Central’s list of 100 Greatest
Stand-Ups of All Time.
Impact In addition to his reputation as a come-
dian, Robin Williams established himself as a well-
regarded and versatile actor after the mid-1980’s,
able to move effortlessly from comedy to serious
drama withThe Fisher King(1991),Good Will Hunt-
ing, (1997), andOne Hour Photo(2002). He also be-
came well known for his charitable work, particu-
larly the Comic Relief specials on HBO with Whoopi
Goldberg and Billy Crystal, which raised funds for
the homeless. Williams, a tireless supporter of U.S.
troops in Iraq and Afghanistan during the early
twenty-first century, appeared in several United Ser-
vice Organizations shows over the course of the Iraq
War.
Further Reading
Dougan, Andy.Robin Williams.New York: Thunder’s
Mouth Press, 1999.
Givens, Ron.Robin Williams. New York: Time, 1998.
Jay, David.The Life and Humor of Robin Williams: A Bi-
ography. New York: HarperPerennial, 1999.
Spignesi, Stephen J.The Robin Williams Scrapbook.
New York: Citadel Press, 1997.
Mar y Virginia DavisSee also Academy Awards; Comedians; Comic Re-
lief; Film in the United States; Television.Williams, Vanessa
Identification Miss America, singer, and actor
Born March 18, 1963; Tarrytown, New York
Williams was the first African American to be crowned Miss
America.
Until 1984, the Miss America pageant had not been
noted for cultural or racial diversity. Though a Jew-
ish woman, Bess Myerson, had won the Miss America
crown, that victory had occurred decades earlier
and not without substantial controversy. Vanessa Wil-
liams attended the School of Performing Arts in
New York City (made famous by the movie and tele-
vision seriesFame). She also began winning beauty
contests in the early 1980’s, including the Miss New
York contest, thereby qualifying to enter the Miss
America contest. Williams won the crown in 1984.
Thrilled to win and undeniably performing out-
standingly well in her new role, Williams seemed to
be an ideal choice. Halfway through her tenure,The Eighties in America Williams, Vanessa 1047
Robin Williams around 1987.(Hulton Archive/Getty Images)