At a Glance
- Mork & Mindy premiered in 1978 and ran four seasons, turning Robin Williams into a superstar
- Pam Dawber, 74, remains married to Mark Harmon and recently guest-starred on his final NCIS season
- Robin Williams died by suicide in 2014 at age 63 after winning an Oscar, five Grammys and two Emmys
- Conrad Janis, Elizabeth Kerr, Tom Poston and Jonathan Winters have all passed away
Why it matters: The beloved sitcom’s stars shaped television comedy, and their later lives reveal both enduring love stories and tragic loss.
When Mork & Mindy rocketed onto television in 1978, it fused sci-fi whimsy with heartfelt laughs for four unforgettable seasons. The show tracked Mork, an alien from planet Ork, as he studied humanity while rooming with the down-to-earth Mindy in Boulder, Colorado. Fueled by Robin Williams‘ lightning improvisation and Pam Dawber‘s warmth, the series became a pop-culture juggernaut spun off from Williams’ breakout Happy Days guest spot.
Pam Dawber: Mindy Then, NCIS Now
Pam Dawber won hearts as Mindy McConnell, the grounded counterweight to Mork’s cosmic chaos. After the show she headlined the sitcom My Sister Sam and the 1992 film Stay Tuned.
In 1987 she wed fellow TV star Mark Harmon – later famous for NCIS and the Freaky Friday franchise. The couple became one of Hollywood’s longest-lasting pairs, raising two sons while guarding their privacy.
“We’re not trying to keep something secret, but if you don’t want it totally exploited by the press, you have to,” Dawber told News Of Los Angeles after marrying Harmon.
Now 74, she briefly returned to TV during Harmon’s final NCIS season after his 18-year run. Dawber appeared in four episodes as investigative journalist Marcie Warren, the first time the real-life spouses ever shared the CBS screen.
Robin Williams: Comedy Giant’s Rise and Tragic End
Robin Williams skyrocketed as Mork from Ork, dazzling viewers with rapid-fire riffs and boundless energy. Post-sitcom he conquered film, starring in Mrs. Doubtfire, Dead Poets Society, Aladdin and Good Will Hunting. His trophy haul: five Golden Globes, two Emmys, five Grammys and an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
Williams married three times – first to Valerie Velardi, then Marsha Garces Williams, finally Susan Schneider – and fathered three children: Zak, Zelda and Cody.
He died by suicide in 2014 at age 63. Though gone, his performances still spark laughter and admiration worldwide.
Conrad Janis: Musician-Actor’s Final Curtain
Conrad Janis portrayed Fred McConnell, Mindy’s laid-back dad. After the show he kept acting, guesting on Suspense, The Jeffersons and Happy Days. Off-screen, he led the Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band, showcasing musical chops beyond acting.
Janis died in 2022 at age 94 from organ failure related to old age. Survivors include his brother, two children from his first marriage, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Elizabeth Kerr: Wisecracking Grandma
Elizabeth Kerr played Grandma Cora Hudson, delivering warmth and sharp wit. She later appeared in Frankie and Johnny and Going Berserk, specializing in spunky older women with heart. Kerr never married and had no children, devoting herself to acting and theater.
She died in 2000 at age 82, leaving fans fond memories of her humor and grace.
Tom Poston: Deadpan Boss and Real-Life Romance
Tom Poston brought quirky charm to Franklin Delano Bickley, Mindy’s lovable but clueless boss. A comedy veteran, he frequented The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart, famed for deadpan delivery and oddball timing.
In 2001 he married actress Suzanne Pleshette after years of friendship. Poston had one daughter from an earlier marriage and died in 2007 at age 85 following a brief illness.
Jonathan Winters: Comedy Legend’s Legacy
Jonathan Winters joined as Mearth, Mork’s childlike son, injecting his trademark anarchic humor. Already a comedy titan, he starred in It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World and voiced The Smurfs. In 1999 he received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
Winters married wife Eileen for over six decades; they had two children. He openly discussed mental-health struggles and advocated for greater understanding of mental illness. He died in 2013 at age 87, leaving an outsized influence on comedians including Williams.
Key Takeaways
- Mork & Mindy’s 1978 debut launched Robin Williams into stratospheric fame
- Pam Dawber continues acting at 74 and remains married to Mark Harmon after 37 years
- Four cast members – Williams, Janis, Kerr, Poston and Winters – have died, each leaving distinct comedic legacies
- The show’s blend of improvisation and heart still resonates with audiences decades later
