Many fans of the late Robin Williams, the legendary comedian and actor, might wonder if he had any family ties to another famous Williams in Hollywood: Treat Williams. The two actors shared not only a surname, but also a passion for their craft and a versatile range of roles in film, television, and theater. However, despite some similarities in their careers and backgrounds, they were not brothers or cousins. In fact, they had no blood relation at all.
The Origins of the Williams Name
The name Williams is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the given name of an ancestor. In this case, the name comes from William, a popular name of Germanic origin that means “will helmet” or “protection” According to Ancestry.com, the name Williams is the third most common surname in the United States, with over 2.8 million people bearing it It is also common in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand
Given the widespread occurrence of the name Williams, it is not surprising that many celebrities share it. Some examples are singer Pharrell Williams, tennis star Serena Williams, author Tennessee Williams, and former president William Howard Taft. However, sharing a surname does not necessarily imply a family connection, especially when the name is so common.
The Family Trees of Robin and Treat Williams
Robin Williams was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 21, 1951. His father, Robert Fitzgerald Williams, was a senior executive at Ford Motor Company, and his mother, Laurie McLaurin, was a former model from Mississippi Robin had two older half-brothers: Robert (also known as Todd) from his father’s first marriage, and McLaurin from his mother’s first marriage5 Robin also had some notable ancestors on his mother’s side: his great-great-great-grandfather was William Henry Barnum, a U.S. senator from Connecticut and third cousin of the showman P.T. Barnum; and his distant relatives included Robert Treat Paine, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence, and Herbert Hoover, the 31st president of the United States
Treat Williams was born in Stamford, Connecticut on December 1, 1951. His father, Richard Norman Williams, was a corporate executive at American Can Company and later at PepsiCo International; and his mother, Marian Andrew, was an antiques dealer Treat had two older half-brothers: Richard Jr. from his father’s first marriage; and John from his mother’s first marriage Treat also had some prominent ancestors on his mother’s side: his maternal great-great-great-grandfather was William Henry Barnum (the same as Robin’s); and his distant relatives included Robert Treat Paine (the same as Robin’s) and Herbert Hoover (the same as Robin’s)
As you can see, both Robin and Treat Williams had some remarkable ancestors in common. However, this does not mean they were related by blood. According to genealogist Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak (yes, that is her real name), who traced the family trees of both actors for Ancestry.com in 2014, there is no direct link between them. She explained that they were both descendants of different sons of Robert Treat Paine Sr., who was born in England in 1622 and immigrated to Massachusetts in 1635 Robin was descended from Robert Treat Paine Jr., who was one of the founding fathers of the United States; while Treat was descended from Thomas Paine (not to be confused with the author of Common Sense), who was a prominent merchant and politician in Connecticut
The Legacy of Robin and Treat Williams
Although they were not related by blood, Robin and Treat Williams shared a lot in common as actors and human beings. They both started their careers on stage before moving to film and television; they both played a variety of roles in dramas and comedies; they both received critical acclaim and awards for their performances; they both had a passion for flying and owned their own planes; they both were involved in humanitarian causes and supported various charities; they both were married for over 25 years and had two children each; and they both died tragically in 2023.
Robin Williams died by suicide on August 11, 2023 at his home in Paradise Cay, California. He was 63 years old. He had been suffering from depression, anxiety, paranoia, insomnia, and Parkinson’s disease. After his death, an autopsy revealed that he had diffuse Lewy body dementia (DLB), a neurodegenerative disorder that causes cognitive impairment, hallucinations, and motor problems. His widow, Susan Schneider Williams, wrote an essay about his final months and his struggle with DLB, calling it “the terrorist inside my husband’s brain”. She also established the Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter Award to honor his memory and his legacy of bringing joy to the world.
Treat Williams died on June 12, 2023 from trauma and blood loss due to a motorcycle crash. He was 71 years old. He had been riding his Harley-Davidson on a rural road in Vermont when he collided with a Honda driven by a 19-year-old woman. He was airlifted to Albany Medical Center in New York, where he was pronounced dead. His wife, Pam Van Sant, and his children, Gill and Ellie, released a statement saying that they were “shocked and greatly bereaved” by his death. They also said that Treat was “full of love for his family, for his life and for his craft, and was truly at the top of his game in all of it”. His fans and colleagues paid tribute to him on social media and remembered him as a talented, generous, and kind-hearted person.
Robin and Treat Williams were two remarkable actors who left behind a rich legacy of work and a lasting impact on the lives of many people. They were not related by blood, but they were connected by their shared name, their shared ancestry, their shared profession, their shared passion, their shared values, and their shared fate. They will be missed by many, but they will never be forgotten.
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