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“Who Was Robin Williams’ Heart Surgeon?” Asks Tammy

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page Last Updated: June 8, 2025

I’m not sure if you followed the cardiac news coverage of Robin Williams’s heart valve surgery.

But, it was confirmed that Robin Williams, prior to his passing, had double heart valve surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. While initial reports suggested that Robin Williams would only need aortic valve replacement surgery, the Oscar-winning actor and comedian also had his mitral valve repaired.

Robin Williams (Aortic & Mitral Valve Surgery Patient)

Tammy wrote me earlier today asking, “Who was Robin Williams surgeon?”

The answer… Dr. Marc Gillinov at the Cleveland Clinic was Robin Williams’ heart surgeon.

After the surgery, Dr. Gillinov stated, “Williams heart is strong and he will have normal heart function in the coming weeks with no limitations on what he’ll be able to do.”

Marc Gillinov, MD (Robin Williams Surgeon)

Robin Williams stated after the surgery, “I got some great new material for the tour and can’t wait to get back on the road.”

Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

Mary Anne says on March 24th, 2009 at 3:18 pm

Just wondering what type of valve was used in Robin Williams’s surgery – tissue or mechanical?

Janie Niemiec says on March 24th, 2009 at 3:29 pm

Just wondering if we know if Robin Williams received a mechanical valve or a pig or bovine valve? I am going to be having aortic valve surgery and only 2 years older than Robin. I am opting for the pig valve as I do not want to be on a blood thinner. Sincerely, Janie

Barbara Johnson says on March 24th, 2009 at 4:03 pm

Can you tell us what type of valve Robin Williams had for his aortic valve replacement? I am having a difficult time selecting among pig, cow, and mechanical.

Adam Pick says on March 24th, 2009 at 4:16 pm

Hi Janie,

Great question.

Unforunately, I do not know whether Robin Williams selected a mechanical valve or a tissue valve (cow, pig) for his aortic replacement.

If I find out, I will post a follow-up blog. (I’ve received a bunch of questions about this today.)

Keep on tickin!

Adam

dena says on March 29th, 2009 at 6:06 pm

We all want to know what kind of valve did he receive?

dena

fred benton says on May 6th, 2009 at 7:05 am

Any idea what type of procedure Robin Williams had for the aortic valve replacement? I read that he was entertaining the staff 2 hours after surgery. Just had my valve replaced and I was pretty much out of it for a solid day. I had a bovine valve replacement, a pacemaker, and a “jumper” around a severe restriction which was a birth defect (all this at WakeMed in Raleigh, NC. I’m 63 and am wondering about the expected life of all these things. The doctors are sort of noncommittal with their answers.