Marsha Garces Williams is a film producer, philanthropist, and the ex-wife of the famous American actor and comedian Robin Williams. She first became associated with Robin’s family as his son’s nanny and later became romantically involved with him. Despite Robin still being married to his first wife, Marsha became pregnant with their daughter, Zelda Rae Williams. After Robin’s divorce, Marsha married him, and they had a son named Cody Alan. Marsha worked as Robin’s personal assistant in films like ‘Dead Poets Society’ and ‘Good Morning, Vietnam.’ Together, they founded a film production company called ‘Blue Wolf Productions’ and produced several of Robin’s films, including ‘Patch Adams’ and ‘Mrs. Doubtfire.’ After over two decades of marriage, Marsha ended her relationship with Robin, citing irreconcilable differences. In addition to her work in the film industry, Marsha is also a dedicated philanthropist and is involved with organizations like ‘Seacology’ and ‘Doctors Without Borders.’
Quick Facts
- Age: 67 Years
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Robin Williams (m. 1989 – div. 2010)
- Father: Leon Garces
- Mother: Ina Rachel Mattila
- Children: Cody Williams, Zelda Williams
- Born Country: United States
- Philanthropists
- TV & Movie Producers
- Ancestry: Filipino American, Finnish American
- U.S. State: Wisconsin
- City: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Childhood & Early Life
Marsha Garces was born on June 18, 1956, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, to Leon Garces and Ina Rachel Mattila. Her father was an Ubay, Bohol born Filipino while her mother was Finnish. Leon Garces relocated to the US in 1929, and served the United States Navy during the ‘Second World War.’
Marsha was raised in Shorewood, Wisconsin, where she studied at the ‘Shorewood High School.’
Marsha was married to Timothy F. Teteak for some time since June 11, 1977, and to Robert Francis Lamirande for some time since April 5, 1982.
Association With Robin Williams
Marsha, who was earlier a painter and worked as a waitress, got introduced to Robin Williams in 1984 when she was inducted as a nanny for the actor’s son, Zachary Pym “Zak” Williams. According to reports, Marsha and Robin fell for each other and started an affair in 1986, and Marsha became pregnant with Robin’s child when the actor was still married to his first wife, Valerie.
Robin divorced Valerie in 1988, following which he married Marsha on April 30, 1989. However, in the documentary ‘Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind’ (2018), Valerie mentioned that it was only after she separated from Robin that the latter began an affair with Marsha.
Marsha’s first child with Robin, a daughter, Zelda Rae Williams, was born on July 31, 1989. Zelda, who was named after Princess Zelda from ‘The Legend of Zelda’ video game series, followed footsteps of her father to become an actress. In 1991, Marsha and Robin welcomed their son, Cody Alan.
Meanwhile, Marsha started working as personal assistant to Robin in several films. These included the 1987 American comedy-drama war film ‘Good Morning, Vietnam’ and the 1989 American drama film ‘Dead Poets Society,’ both of which starred Robin, and emerged successful.
In 1991, Marsha and Robin launched a film production company, ‘Blue Wolf Productions.’ The couple also founded the philanthropic organisation the ‘Windfall Foundation’ to raise fund for different charities.
Marsha joined hands with Robin and Mark Radcliffe to produce the comedy-drama film ‘Mrs. Doubtfire.. The film, directed by Chris Columbus, starred Robin Williams in the lead role and released in the US on November 24, 1993, and became the second-highest-grosser of that year across the globe. It won the ‘Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.’
Marsha co-produced the semi-biographical comedy film ‘Patch Adams.’ Although the 1998 film starring Robin Williams, Bob Gunton, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Monica Potter received negative reviews, it became a box-office hit grossing $202.3 million against a budget of $90 million. She also co-produced the Robin Williams starrer remake of the 1975 East German-Czechoslovakian Holocaust film ‘Jakob der Lügner’ titled ‘Jakob the Liar,’ in 1999.
Her works as producer also include ‘Robin Williams: Live on Broadway’ (2002), which earned a ‘Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Special’ nomination, in 2003.
Divorce and Other Endeavors
Her marriage with Robin hit the rocks after almost two decades and Marsha filed for divorce in March 2008 citing irreconcilable differences. The couple got divorced in 2010. Marsha stood by Robin in his struggle with addiction for years and according to some sources, his relapse after attaining sobriety played a role in the couple’s divorce.
On October 4, 2018, she auctioned many of Robin’s belongings, including furniture, sculptures, and forty watches. She donated the proceeds to charities that the couple supported.
Marsha was the producer of the 2014 documentary ‘Extinction Soup.’ She is associated with organizations like the international humanitarian medical NGO called ‘Doctors Without Borders’ and the non-profit charitable organization ‘Seacology.’ She speaks at different events, including the fundraising events for several organizations, such as the ‘Christopher Reeves Foundation.’