Robin Williams, the celebrated actor and comedian known for his energetic performances and memorable film roles, once owned a waterfront home in California’s San Francisco Bay Area. The property, located in Paradise Cay on the Tiburon Peninsula, was purchased by Williams in 2008 for approximately $4 million. Following his death in 2014, the residence was placed on the market for $7.25 million before eventually selling for $5.35 million in 2020. The approximately 6,500-square-foot home featured six bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms and scenic views of the bay. Its traditional architectural style, expansive interiors and outdoor amenities made it a notable luxury property. The Los Angeles Times reported on the sale in November 2020.
Robin Williams’ waterfront home in Paradise Cay
The property was situated in Paradise Cay, a waterfront community on the Tiburon Peninsula in Marin County, north of San Francisco. The area is known for its bay views, residential properties and proximity to the wider San Francisco metropolitan region. Williams’ former residence offered a combination of privacy and access to the waterfront. Its location was a defining feature of the property, with views extending across the surrounding waters and landscape. According to property coverage published by the Los Angeles Times and Architectural Digest, the home measured approximately 6,500 square feet and was designed in a Santa Barbara-style architectural tradition. Its single-storey layout brought together spacious indoor rooms and outdoor areas designed for entertaining and relaxation.
Image: SFGATE/Jacob Elliott
Robin Williams purchased the property in 2008
Robin Williams acquired the home through a trust in 2008. Reports put the purchase price at just over $4 million, while Architectural Digest identified the amount as approximately $4.05 million. The purchase was made several years before the actor’s death in August 2014. Williams had longstanding connections to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he lived and maintained property during his career. The Paradise Cay residence was one of the properties associated with his estate. Its subsequent listing and sale attracted attention because of the actor’s connection to the home and the significant difference between its original asking price and eventual sale price.
A home designed around bay views
The waterfront setting was central to the property’s appeal. The residence combined traditional design elements with a layout that took advantage of its position near the water. The home’s reported Santa Barbara-style architecture gave it a distinctive appearance, while its single-storey arrangement connected the different living spaces. The property included six bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms, making it suitable for both family living and entertaining guests. The interior featured several traditional details, including fireplaces and wood-panelled spaces. These elements complemented the home’s broader architectural style, which focused on spacious rooms and a comfortable residential atmosphere.
The living room and interior spaces
The living room was among the notable areas described in coverage of the property. The home included multiple sitting areas and a fireplace, creating a setting for relaxation and social gatherings. A formal dining room provided additional space for entertaining. French doors helped connect the interior to the outdoor environment and allowed natural light into the living areas. The residence also featured a tiled kitchen and a wood-panelled library. The library included built-in shelving and another fireplace, adding to the traditional character of the home.
Six bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms
The approximately 6,500-square-foot residence contained six bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms. Its single-storey design offered a layout in which the living areas and bedrooms were arranged across one level. The primary suite reportedly included a spa bathroom and steam shower. These facilities reflected the luxury features associated with the property. The size of the house and its room configuration made it a substantial residential estate. However, the available reporting focuses primarily on the property’s architecture, location and sale rather than providing a complete inventory of every room or facility. The six-bedroom configuration remains one of the key details in coverage of the home.
Outdoor areas included a pool and spa
The home’s outdoor spaces added to its appeal as a waterfront property. Coverage described a large deck, swimming pool, spa and dining patio. These areas provided space for outdoor gatherings and leisure activities. The property’s position near the bay also meant that the outdoor setting was an important part of its overall character. The combination of waterfront views and outdoor amenities contributed to the home’s luxury positioning in the Paradise Cay market. The residence offered both substantial indoor space and areas intended for enjoying the surrounding environment.
The home was listed for $7.25 million and sold for $5.35 million
Following Robin Williams’ death in 2014, the property remained part of the family’s real estate holdings before being listed for sale in 2019. The home was placed on the market for $7.25 million. It reportedly remained listed for approximately a year before its eventual sale in 2020. The asking price represented a substantial increase over the amount Williams had paid for the property in 2008. However, a listing price is not the same as the amount a property ultimately sells for, and the difference between the two figures became a notable part of the home’s sales history. The Los Angeles Times reported on November 17, 2020, that the residence had sold for $5.35 million. The final sale price was $1.9 million below the original $7.25 million asking price.
Robin Williams’ career and connection to the Bay Area
Robin Williams’ connection to the San Francisco Bay Area extended beyond his real estate holdings. His family moved to Marin County, where he attended Redwood High School in Larkspur before studying theatre at the College of Marin and later the Juilliard School in New York. He developed his stand-up comedy career in San Francisco, performing at venues such as the Holy City Zoo. His breakthrough came with his role as Mork on Happy Days, which led to the television series Mork & Mindy and established him as a widely recognised performer.Williams went on to star in films including Good Morning, Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, Mrs Doubtfire, Jumanji and Good Will Hunting, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1997. His long-standing ties to Marin County and San Francisco help explain his association with the region’s property market. The Paradise Cay waterfront home was separate from his San Francisco Sea Cliff mansion, another residence linked to his real estate history.Williams’ personal life included three marriages. He married Valerie Velardi in 1978, Marsha Garces in 1989 and Susan Schneider in 2011. His first two marriages ended in divorce, he spoke publicly about his struggles with alcohol and the impact of addiction on his relationships. In an interview, he acknowledged that his drinking had contributed to difficulties in his second marriage. Williams died by suicide on August 11, 2014, at the age of 63. In the years before his death, he struggled with alcohol addiction, depression and anxiety. He had also been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, while a post-mortem examination revealed diffuse Lewy body dementia, a neurological condition that can affect cognition, movement and behaviour. His wife, Susan Schneider, said he had maintained his sobriety at the time of his death.