Users Say Robin Williams’ Daughter, Who Followed in His Footsteps, Looks ‘So Much like Her Dad’

Robin Williams, famously known for his role in the classic comedy “Mrs. Doubtfire,” was more than just a legendary entertainer. He was a devoted father to two sons and one daughter, who, according to fans, bears a striking resemblance to him.

Robin’s personal life was as dynamic as his career. The actor married three times, with each relationship reflecting a unique chapter of his journey. In 1978, he wed Valerie Velardi, an artist and performer, and their marriage lasted a decade before ending in 1988.

The following year, Robin married Marsha Garces Williams, a film producer and philanthropist. Their partnership lasted over 20 years before they divorced in 2010.

The award-winning Hollywood star tied the knot for the third time in 2011 with Susan Schneider, a graphic designer who remained his wife until his tragic passing.

From his first two marriages, Robin became a devoted father to three children who remained a central part of his life. In a 2006 interview, he reflected on the profound joy they brought him, saying, “If I had a choice to erase from my life something, I would leave all the memories of my children … even the memories when they misbehave because it is still extraordinary.”

Three years later, Robin spoke candidly about fatherhood, sharing, “I’m so proud of them in different ways, but have they always been cherubs? No, but that’s been part of the process.” He admitted he was far from perfect, adding, “And am I the ‘world’s greatest dad?’ Not at all, I’m a work-in-progress, but I love them.”

Robin’s deep love for his children was evident in his reflections on parenthood, and his pride in their individuality shone through. Now adults, his three children have each forged their own paths.

Zachary “Zak” Williams

Robin welcomed his first child, Zachary “Zak” Williams, in 1983 with his first wife, Valerie. Zak, a New York University graduate in rhetoric, cherished childhood memories with his father, recalling their walks and sharing excitement over simple joys.

After Robin’s death, Zak struggled deeply with depression and turned to alcohol to cope. “I was deeply unhappy and feeling extremely isolated and broken,” he admitted, but eventually sought help, realizing, “Something had to give.”

Now on a path of healing, Zak, 41, is a proud husband to Olivia June and father to their son, Mickey, whose name honors Robin’s middle name. As co-founder of PYM (Prepare Your Mind), Zak is a passionate mental health advocate, helping others while breaking the stigma around mental health care.

As Zak continues to advocate for mental health and embrace his own journey of healing, Robin’s youngest son, Cody Williams, has pursued a successful career behind the scenes in Hollywood.

Cody Williams

Born in November 1991 during Robin’s marriage to Marsha, Cody has worked as a Second Unit Director and Assistant Director on major films such as “Black Panther” (2018), “Spider-Man: Homecoming” (2017), and “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” (2015).

Although Cody, 33, leads a private life, his marriage to Maria Flores on July 21, 2019, was especially meaningful. The couple exchanged vows at Cody’s childhood home, honoring Robin’s memory on what would have been his 68th birthday.

Zelda Williams

While Cody has built a career behind the camera, Robin’s only daughter, Zelda Williams, 35, has pursued her passion both as an actress and director. Born on July 31, 1989, the same year Robin married Marsha, Zelda grew up visiting her father on film sets.

She recalled the experience as enchanting, saying, “When you’re that young, I don’t think you grasp that it’s a job, really; just like a fun thing you go and visit.” As she got older, sets like the one for “Bicentennial Man” in 1999 gave her a deeper appreciation for the filmmaking process.

“That was when I was old enough to really understand that there was a whole bunch of jobs you could also do,” she shared. Inspired by her childhood experiences, Zelda began her career at just 5 years old, playing Robin’s on-screen daughter in 1994’s “In Search of Dr. Seuss.”

Zelda has since appeared in TV shows like “The Legend of Korra,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” and “Jane the Virgin.” In 2024, she made her directorial debut with the zombie rom-com “Lisa Frankenstein.” Although she has starred in several slasher films, Robin avoided watching them, joking he didn’t like seeing her “killed” on screen.

Zelda’s career has showcased her creativity and individuality, but she has also taken a firm stand to protect the integrity of the entertainment industry. In 2023, she condemned the use of artificial intelligence to replicate her father’s voice, calling it “very very real” and “personally disturbing.”

She warned of the broader consequences, writing, “I’ve already heard AI used to get his ‘voice’ to say whatever people want. […] The ramifications go far beyond my own feelings.” Her statement came as SAG-AFTRA continued its strike over AI and other industry issues, following the Writer’s Guild of America’s tentative agreement.

She emphasized that living actors deserve the opportunity to bring characters to life through their own choices and effort, warning that AI recreations risk turning art into something monstrous and inauthentic. By speaking out against artificial intelligence in entertainment, Zelda honors her father’s legacy while championing the importance of humanity in the arts.

Her reflections on family traditions further offer a glimpse into the intimate moments that defined her childhood. In December 2023, Zelda, who is part Filipino, shared how the Williams family prioritized time together, even with Robin’s busy schedule.

“Dad’s job made it pretty hard to keep anything like a yearly tradition really, aside from Thanksgiving or days when sets would shut down,” she revealed in an interview, noting that cooking together became their way of bonding. Weekly family dinners, whenever relatives were in town, became a treasured tradition.

While not everyone was hands-on in the kitchen, Zelda, who had a private childhood, joked, “My brothers and my dad were not good cooks,” leaving most of the meal prep to her and her mom, Marsha.

Regardless of the roles, Zelda emphasized, “Being together was the important thing,” especially given how work often kept them apart.

Zelda’s reflections on family traditions showcase the strong bond she shared with her late father, Robin. Beyond her personal memories, fans have also drawn comparisons between the pair, often highlighting their resemblance and shared expressions.

During a 2016 interview uploaded to YouTube, viewers couldn’t help but comment on Zelda’s likeness to her father. One user remarked, “She looks so much like her dad. I’m sure that Robin is so proud of her.”

Another observed, “Wow, she really is like a female version of Robin. Her expressions are just like her father’s, and she even tells jokes the same way.” A third noted her physical similarity, saying, “She has her father’s smile.”

These observations about Zelda’s resemblance to Robin continued into 2024, when she shared a photo of herself dressed in all-black.

Fans once again couldn’t help but point out her striking similarity to her father, blending admiration for her appearance with heartfelt comparisons.

One user simply wrote, “Stunner,” while another commented, “Is it too cliché or sentimental to say ‘Like Father, Like Daughter?'” Others admired her beauty, with remarks like, “You’re so beautiful,” and, “You look gorgeous!”

The admiration fans show for Zelda and her connection to Robin highlights the profound impact he had as both an entertainer and a father. His ability to make people laugh and his genuine warmth only made his tragic passing in 2014 at the age of 63, in an apparent suicide, all the more heartbreaking.

According to Marin County Police in California, Robin was pronounced dead at his home shortly after emergency responders arrived following a midday emergency call. His publicist later disclosed that he had been “battling severe depression.”

Additionally, his wife, Susan, revealed that Robin had been diagnosed with the early stages of Parkinson’s disease. She also noted his serious struggles with mental health. Despite these challenges, he remained committed to his sobriety and personal well-being.

Shortly before his passing, the comedian had voluntarily enrolled in a program at the Hazelden facility in Minnesota. His representative clarified that this was not prompted by a relapse, but was instead a proactive effort to “fine-tune and focus on his continued commitment, of which he remains extremely proud.”

During lockdown, Billy Connolly, a close friend and fellow comedian, offered a glimpse into the challenges of living with Parkinson’s disease. He described the nature of his life, which consisted of “good days and bad days”.

However, he also shared a coping strategy that brought him perspective. “Somebody once told me anytime you’re not feeling very well, think of the kids in the cancer world,” he explained. This philosophy helped him remain grounded and resilient.

Robin Williams’s loss continues to be a source of sorrow for fans and loved ones. However, his legacy lives on through his children, who honor his memory in their own unique ways.