Legendary ‘Mork & Mindy’ Director and Stand-Up Comic Howard Storm Dies at 94

Howard Storm, the TV pioneer behind America’s favorite sitcoms, has died at 94. He passed Tuesday in Beverly Hills from natural causes, his son Anthony confirmed.

Storm’s career spanned nearly eight decades. He started in stand-up comedy, then moved behind the camera. His comedy background gave him natural timing and performance instincts. These skills defined his legendary directing career.

Most notably, Storm directed 59 episodes of Mork & Mindy. Robin Williams’ classic became a cultural phenomenon in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His credits read like TV’s golden age: Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Rhoda, Everybody Loves Raymond, Perfect Strangers, and dozens more.

Storm had a sharp eye for talent. He cast Jim Carrey in his first movie role. He recognized Carrey’s potential early.

Storm spoke with deep affection about Robin Williams. He kept cherished photos from Mork & Mindy‘s first season. He called them “very important to my career.” After Williams’ death, Storm said: “I just loved him. It was a very painful thing to hear.”

In 2020, at 88, Storm published his memoir The Imperfect Storm. Co-written with Steve Stoliar, it detailed his journey from stand-up comic to improv teacher to TV legend. He also wrote My Descent Into Death, recounting his 1985 near-death experience during emergency surgery. Alcon Entertainment is now developing it into a film.

Storm is survived by his son Anthony. He leaves behind a legacy that helped define American TV comedy.