What started as a spin-off of “Happy Days” quickly became one of the country’s most successful sitcoms. First airing in 1978, “Mork & Mindy” ran for four seasons and introduced the world to the comedy genius that was Robin Williams in what became his breakout role.
The series followed the misadventures of Mork, a strange alien from the planet Ork and Mindy, the human he ends up living with as he studies human behavior. But in the almost 50 years since it was first broadcast, a lot has changed for the cast.
Robin Williams
GettyAlmost completely unknown until his successful guest spot on “Happy Days,” network executives rushed to create a spin-off starring Robin Williams upon seeing how popular the character was with audiences.
His time in “Mork & Mindy” saw him nominated for numerous awards, including an Emmy, and launched his career as a comic and actor. He went on to dazzle audiences for decades in a wide array of film and television roles.
Sadly, Williams died by suicide in 2014 when he was 63 years old.
Age when “Mork & Mindy” released: 27
Selected credits before “Mork & Mindy”: “Can I Do It ‘Till I Need Glasses?,” “Eight Is Enough,” and “Happy Days.”
GettyAge now: Deceased (63)
Selected credits after “Mork & Mindy”: “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Good Morning, Vietnam,” “Aladdin,” “Flubber,” and “Good Will Hunting.”
Pam Dawber
GettyPlaying the role of Mindy McConnell, Pam Dawber had the job of balancing out Williams’ zany and chaotic improvisational comedy. A warm and kind-hearted figure, she takes Mork in and does her best to keep him safe.
Dawber has been married to fellow actor Mark Harmon since 1987, who is best known for his role in “NCIS” and the couple have been together ever since.
Age when “Mork & Mindy” released: 26
Selected credits before “Mork & Mindy”: “Sister Terri,” “Swan Lake,” and “Twilight Theatre.”
GettyAge now: 74
Selected credits after “Mork & Mindy”: “Stay Tuned,” “Life… and Stuff,” and “NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service.”
Conrad Janis
GettyConrad Janis was responsible for portraying Fred McConnell in the sitcom, Mindy’s friendly but often sceptical father. A talented jazz musician who has performed in a number of bands, Janis was a staple on television before and after “Mork & Mindy “
He passed away in 2022 at the age of 94.
Age when “Mork & Mindy” released: 50
Selected credits before “Mork & Mindy”: “Airport 1975,” “The Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox,” and “Quark.”
Age now: Deceased (94)
Selected credits after “Mork & Mindy”: “The Cable Guy,” “”Brewster’s Millions,” “Frasier,” and “Murder, She Wrote.”
Tom Poston
GettyAlthough less central to the overall plot, Tom Poston still has an important role in the show as Mindy’s kind but hapless boss. A familiar face on television throughout his career, he was known for his comic abilities and deadpan delivery.
Poston died at the age of 85 in 2007, just six years after marrying actress Suzanne Pleshette.
Age when “Mork & Mindy” released: 57
Selected credits before “Mork & Mindy”: “The Old Dark House,” “The Bob Newhart Show,” and “We’ve Got Each Other.”
GettyAge now: Deceased (85)Selected credits after “Mork & Mindy”: “Christmas with the Kranks,” “Newhart,” “Committed,” and “The Princess Diaries 2.”
Jonathan Winters
GettyIntroduced later in the series, Jonathan Winters joined the cast as Mearth. Visually older than Mork, Mearth is his and Mindy’s son who was born from an egg and ages backwards due to his Orkan biology.
Winters was a major success before joining “Mork & Mindy” and continued to perform and inspire for decades after the sitcom came to an end. He sadly passed away in 2013 at the age of 87.
Age when “Mork & Mindy” released: 55
Selected credits before “Mork & Mindy”: “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World,” “Shirley Temple’s Storybook,” and “The Andy Williams Show.”
GettyAge now: Test
Selected credits after “Mork & Mindy”: “The Smurfs,” “The Shadow,” “Davis Rules,” and “The Completely Mental Misadventures of Ed Grimley.”
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