Robin Williams was born on 21 July 1951, which means he turned 40 years old in 1991. During that year, he was an established television comedian transitioning into prominent film work, shortly after joining the cast of the television series Mork & Mindy in the late 1970s and before his breakout film performances in the early 1990s. In 1991, he was 40 years old and remained at a pivotal professional inflection point, balancing stand-up, emerging film roles, and television projects that sustained his reputation as a versatile performer.
Key Biographical Date
For age calculations, the definitive reference is Robin Williams’s confirmed birth date.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 21 July 1951 | Public biographies and authoritative archives |
Age in 1991
Using the confirmed birth date (21 July 1951) and the calendar year 1991, his age can be determined with high confidence:
- 1991 − 1951 = 40 years if the date had passed by the reference point in the year.
- By any point in 1991 after 21 July, he was 40; before that date, he was 39 turning 40 later in the year.
Therefore, for most of 1991, Williams was 40 years old, turning 40 in July. By the end of the year, he had completed 40 years of age.
Notable Context for 1991
Placing his age within his career helps explain the professional landscape of 1991.
Television and Early Film Work
In the late 1970s, Williams gained widespread recognition as the titular character in the television series Mork & Mindy (1978–1982). By 1991, he had several years of notable stand-up specials and early film roles behind him, including Good Morning, Vietnam (1987).
Transition to Sustained Film Success
1991 sits between earlier television work and later major films such as Mrs. Doubtfire (1993). At age 40, Williams was positioned as a seasoned comedic actor capable of leading both family-friendly and dramatic projects, which became more prominent in the following years.
Age Comparison Snapshot
The table below contextualizes Robin Williams’s age at key intervals around 1991, based on his verified birth date.
| Year | Age at Year Start | Age at Year End | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 37 | 38 | Late career build-up |
| 1990 | 38 | 39 | Turns 39 in July 1990 |
| 1991 | 39 | 40 | Turns 40 in July 1991 |
| 1992 | 40 | 41 | Turns 41 in July 1992 |
| 1993 | 41 | 42 | Release of Mrs. Doubtfire |
Professional Trajectory Around This Time
At age 40 in 1991, Williams was consolidating his skills as a leading performer. Stand-up continued to underpin his fame, while film roles were evolving. Understanding his age in 1991 clarifies the timeline of his transition from primarily episodic and variety work toward headlining feature films.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do we know his exact age in 1991? Public biographies list his birth date as 21 July 1951, making age calculations straightforward and verifiable.
- Did Williams’s career significantly change in 1991? 1991 was a transition year, but his most prominent film breakthroughs occurred slightly later, notably with Mrs. Doubtfire in 1993 when he was 42.
Reliable Sources and Further Verification
Age and career timelines are drawn from widely cited biographies and authoritative entertainment archives that document Williams’s birth date and notable project years.
| Metric | Estimate or Range | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Age in 1991 | 39–40 across the year | Based on 21 July 1951 birth date |
| Major film around 1991 | Good Morning, Vietnam (1987); Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) | Career landmarks near the period |
With the confirmed date of birth, the answer to how old Robin Williams was in 1991 is precisely determined, supporting durable reference and context about his career timing.