Laurie McLaurin: How Did Robin Williams’ Mother Die?

Laurie McLaurin is the mother of American actor and comedian Robin McLaurin Williams. Laurie’s son Robin Williams was known for his improvisational skills. He is regarded as one of the greatest comedians of all time. He received accolades including an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and five Grammy Awards.

Laurie McLaurin: Bio Summary

Who Was Robin Williams’ Mother?

Laura McLaurin Janin is known as the mother of Robin Williams. In 1922, Laurie was born on the 24th of September, in Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi, USA. Her father was Robert Armistead Janin and her mother was Laura McLaurin Berry Janin Smith. She was raised in New Orleans.

Laurie McLaurin’s great-grandfather was Mississippi senator and governor Anselm J. McLaurin. There isn’t much information about Laurie’s life as a child. She had a passion for fashion. She lived and worked in Washington, D.C. during World War II. In 1945, she studied lithography at the San Francisco Art Institute.

Laurie McLaurin became a model. She worked in Chicago as a model at Marshall Field’s. She believed that “you can go from a bimbo to a countess with a hat” and that “when you put on something wonderful, you feel wonderful. Then you go out and meet the world head on and say – Hey, I think you’re special. I got all dressed up for you.”

ALSO, READ: Linda Barbara Williams- What happened to Kimberly Williams-Paisley’s mother?

Laurie McLaurin reportedly acted in commercials in the ’50s. She was married twice. She married William Musgrave from 1942 until they divorced in 1948. They had one child, McLaurin Smith Williams. After her first marriage ended, she married her second husband, Robert Fitzgerald Williams. Laurie and Robert got married in 1950.

How Laurie McLaurin met Robert Fitzgerald Williams is unknown. Robert was a senior executive in Ford’s Lincoln-Mercury Division. Robert has a son Robert Todd Williams from a previous marriage. On July 21, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., Laurie, and Robert welcomed a son into the world. He was named Robin McLaurin Williams.

In late 1963, Robert was transferred to Detroit. The family lived in a 40-room farmhouse on 20 acres (8 ha) in suburban Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Laurie and Robert’s son Robin Williams was partially raised by the family’s maid. Robert eventually took an early retirement and the family moved to Tiburon, California.

Robin Williams became an actor and comedian. Robin and his mother Laurie appeared on Superstars with Their Moms in 1984 and the two played a tennis match. Speaking of his relationship with his mother, Robin said:

“She’s wonderful… she’s a friend now, which is wonderful…. Now she’s someone you can play with and it’s almost like someone you can improvise with and play with. She’s fun.” Laurie appeared as herself in The Silver Foxes 2: Shape Up America.

Laurie and Robert Fitzgerald Williams were married until Robert passed away. Robert died on 18 October 1987, at the age of 81. He died at home in his sleep after a lengthy illness. Laurie who was a skilled tennis player, remained an active member of both the Belvedere Tennis Club and Harbor Point Racquet and Beach Club.

ALSO, READ: Robert Fitzgerald Williams: What Happened To Robin Williams’ Father?

How Did Robin Williams’ Mother Die?

Robin Williams’ mother Laurie McLaurin died on 4th September 2001, at age 78, in Tiburon, Marin County, California, USA. She died of heart failure. Her son Robin Williams died on August 11, 2014, at age 63, in Paradise Cay, California, U.S. Robin died of suicide resulting from “asphyxia due to hanging”.