Mork & Mindy: Where are they now?
This section contains updates on what the cast has done since Mork & Mindy ended.
Robin Williams
Robin Williams was born July 21st, 1952 in Chicago, Illinois. His father Robert was a Ford
motor executive, and his mother Laurie was a model. He spent most of his time home alone,
creating imaginary characters and playing with armies of toy soldiers. He went to high school
in Marin County, and graduated in 1969.
Robin first studied political science at Claremont Men's College, and soon after fell in love
with performing. He also went to the College or Marin for awhile. Later he moved to New York,
and attended the Juilliard School. At the time, John Houseman was the headmaster, and
Christopher Reeve was also attending school there. While going to Juilliard, Robin worked as
a mime.
In 1977, after graduating from Juilliard, he auditioned for the show "Mork & Mindy," and was
discovered by Happy Days creator, Garry Marshall. A year later he married dancer Valerie
Velardi, and had a son (Zachary). They divorced in the mid 1980's, and Robin married Marsha
Garces in 1989. The two are still married, and, besides Zach, have a daughter (Zelda) and son
(Cody).
Robin won an Oscar for his role as Sean McGuire in Good Will Hunting, and received three
earlier nominations for Good Morning, Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, and The Fisher King. He
and his wife Marsha own a production company called Blue Wolf, which produced Mrs. Doubtfire
and will be responsible for several of Robin's future films. He is good friends with fellow
comedian Billy Crystal, college friend Christopher Reeve, Monty Python member Eric Idle, and
comedian Bobcat Goldthwaite.
The Ultimate Robin Williams Site
Pam Dawber
Pam Dawber is widely recognized in television, film, and theatre. As the friendly Mindy
McConnell in 1978's top-rated new show of the season, "Mork & Mindy," Dawber was catapulted
to instant stardom along with a young unknown comedian, Robin Williams. Dawber's performance
earned two People's Choice Awards for Favorite Female Performer in a New Series.
A versatile actress who moves effortlessly between the comedic and the dramatic, Dawber has
had leading roles in numerous TV movies and mini-series. She starred in "The Face of Fear," a
movie of the week based on the best-selling thriller of the same name. She also starred in the
Emmy-nominated Avnet Kerner production "Oh Do You Know the Muffin Man?"
Dawber's other television credits are equally impressive. She has appeared in "Quiet
Victory: The Charlie Wedemeyer Story"; "American Geisha"; "Wild Horses"; "This Wife For
Hire"; "Web of Deception"; "A Child's Cry For Help"; "Last of the Great Survivors"; "Through
Naked Eyes"; "Remembrance of Love"; and "The Girl, the Gold Watch and Everything." She played
Sam "Samantha" Russell on the successful comedy series "My Sister Sam" and appeared on "The
Twilight Zone" episode "But Can She Type?"
Dawber starred in the big-screen film "Stay Tuned," a wry comedy-adventure that explores the
power and effect of one of the most omnipotent media in the world--television. She also starred
in the critically acclaimed Robert Altman film "A Wedding."
In the theatre, Dawber received critical acclaim for her role as Mabel in both the Los Angeles
and Broadway productions of "Pirates of Penzance." She toured and starred in productions of
"My Fair Lady," "The Music Man," "She Loves Me," and "Love Letters" (which co-starred her
real-life husband, actor Mark Harmon).
Pam Dawber continues to appear in TV Land in newer roles than Mindy, but none is quite as
pure and wholesome.
She was born on October 18th, 1951 in Detroit, Michigan. Pam is married to actor
Mark Harmon who was a regular on Chicago Hope. They have one son Sean Christian (age 8) and a daughter named
Ty (age 4).
Internet Movie Database Entry for Pam Dawber
Conrad Janis was born February 11, 1928 in New York, New York. Since Mork & Mindy he has
appeared in a handful of tv shows and movies including Brewster's Millions, Nothing in Common,
and The Cable Guy. I most recently saw him on an episode of Diagnosis Murder with Happy Days
alumni Donny Most and Erin Moran; and David Lander and Leslie Easterbrook from Laverne & Shirley
.
Internet Movie Database Entry for Conrad Janis
Elizabeth Kerr
Elizabeth Kerr appeared in several theatrical and tv movies with her last credit being the
1991 movie Frankie & Johnny. She appeared on a number of sitcoms, including
Mr. Belvedere, The Facts of Life, Punky Brewster and Gimme A Break.
She was born August 15, 1912 in Kansas City, Missouri and passed away in Long Beach, California
on January 13th, 2000.
Internet Movie Database Entry for Elizabeth Kerr
Jeffrey Jacquet
Jeffrey Jacquet was in the 1978 movie Return from Witch Mountain and the 1983 tv series
Whiz Kids.
Internet Movie Database Entry for Jeffrey Jacquet
Ralph James
Ralph James was the voice of Orson on Mork & Mindy, as far as I know he never appeared
on-screen. He did voices for several other movies and specials such as The Looney, Looney,
Looney Bugs Bunny Movie and the 1981 Spiderman tv series. He died March 14th, 1992 in Los
Angeles, California at the age of 67.
Internet Movie Database Entry for Ralph James
Tom Poston
Tom Poston was born October 17th, 1921 in Columbus, Ohio. He has appeared in several tv series
including Bob and Grace Under Fire. He is perhaps best known for his role of George Utley on
the long-running series, Newhart.
On May 11th, 2001 he married Suzanne Pleshette.
Much more information and photos can be found on his website.
Internet Movie Database Entry for Tom Poston
Jay Thomas
Jay Thomas has appeared in numerous movies and tv specials since Mork & Mindy ended. He is
probably best known for his role of Eddie LeBec on Cheers.
Internet Movie Database Entry for Jay Thomas
Gina Hecht
Gina Hecht was born December 6th, 1953 in Winter Park, Florida. She has appeared in a handful
of movies, including Night Shift and St. Elmo's Fire.
Internet Movie Database Entry for Gina Hecht
Jim Staahl
Jim Staahl has appeared in movies like Night Shift, Airplane II, and Spies Like
Us.
Internet Movie Database Entry for Jim Staahl
Robert Donner
Robert Donner, who made more than 100 TV and film appearances over a 40-year career, died of a heart attack
on June 8, 2006 in Sherman Oaks, Calif. He was 75.
Born in New York City, he grew up in New Jersey, Michigan and Texas and served in the Navy. He began his acting
career after neighbor Clint Eastwood encouraged him to try drama, and starting with small roles in "Rio Bravo" and
"The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance."
Often cast as a sheriff, bad guy or wild-eyed preacher, he went on to appear in features including "Cool Hand Luke," "High
Plains Drifter" and most recently, "Hoot." On TV, he had recurring roles as Exidor on "Mork and Mindy" and Yancy
Tucker on "The Waltons." He appeared on dozens of series, including "Bonanza," "Columbo," "Big Valley," "Incredible
Hulk," "The Six Million Dollar Man," Murder, She Wrote," "Fame," "MacGyver," "Dharma & Greg" and "Matlock."
He was a founding member of Harvey Lembeck's comedy-improv group "The Crazy Quilt Comedy Company" and was active in celebrity golf tournaments.
He is survived by his wife Jill and two brothers.
Source: Variety
Internet Movie Database Entry for Robert Donner
Crissy Wilzak
Crissy Wilzak appeared as Glenda Faye "Crissy" Comstock during the 1980-1981 season of Mork
& Mindy.
Internet Movie Database Entry for Crissy Wilzak
Foster Brooks
Foster Brooks was born May 11, 1912 in Louisville, Kentucky.
He appeared in several movies including Cannonball Run II with his most recent credit
being the 1991 movie The Giant of Thunder Mountain.
Comedian Foster Brooks, best know for his comic routines as "The Loveable Lush", passed away December 20, 2001
in Encino, California of natural causes.
Although he is most famous for his "drunk" routines, he also appeared in numerous sitcoms throughout his career such as
"The Munsters" and "The Beverly Hillbillies". In addition, he appeared occasionally on "Mork and Mindy" as "Mr. Sternhagen", the
station manager of the televison station where Mindy worked in some of the later episodes of the series. He also appeared on game
shows, making frequent appearances on the 1970s version of "Match Game".
Although other comedians have impersonated drunks as part of their routine, Brooks was so good that many people could not tell
if it was an act, or if he had really been drinking! His best performances (in my opinion) were on the "Dean Martin Celebrity
Roasts", where he would stagger to the podium, mispronounce the guest of honor's name (for example, he referred to Sammy
Davis Jr. as "Sandy Duncan Jr."), and sway back and forth as he "struggled" through his monologue.
One additional fact that many people do not know is that Mr. Brooks had a beautiful singing voice. Foster Brooks was a very
talented individual, and will be missed. Rest in Peace, Foster.
(thanks to Jimbo for posting this information on the message boards)
Internet Movie Database Entry for Foster Brooks
Jonathan Winters was born Jonathan Harshman Winters III on November 11, 1925 in Dayton, Ohio.
He has a long list of credits and has also done numerous voice work for animation specials. He
was/is Robin Williams' idol as Robin was growing up and was one of the reasons he got the role
of Mearth in 1981-1982.
Internet Movie Database Entry for Jonathan Winters
Jonathan Winters Official Home Page
Conrad Janis
Jonathan Winters
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