Invite an Alien to Live with You Day

Invite an Alien to Live with You Day is celebrated every year on July 21 and is dedicated to the beloved television series Mork & Mindy, which ran for four seasons. The show follows Mork, an alien from the planet Ork, who comes to Earth to study human behavior. Portrayed by Robin Williams, Mork lands his spaceship in Colorado and ends up in Boulder, where he meets a young journalist named Mindy (played by Pam Dawber). Each episode explores Mork’s clumsy yet heartfelt attempts to understand Earth’s culture and report his findings back to Ork.

History

The first episode of Mork & Mindy aired in September 1978. The character of Mork originally appeared in an episode of Happy Days, where he tried to take Richie Cunningham to his home planet. The idea was so well received that producers created a spin-off series. Fonzie, a fan-favorite character from Happy Days, ultimately stopped Mork in that episode, adding to the show’s comedic charm. Robin Williams’ performance was widely praised, and the show quickly became a cult classic.

Interesting Facts

• According to series producer Garry Marshall, Robin Williams was the only actor who successfully portrayed the alien character during auditions.
• The actual house where Mork and Mindy “lived” still exists in Boulder, Colorado. It remains a popular tourist destination.
• In 2014, Robin Williams and Pam Dawber reunited on an episode of The Crazy Ones.
• A fifth season was planned, where the cast would travel through time using special time-traveling shoes to meet historical figures—but the idea was never developed.

How to Take Part

Celebrate the day by binge-watching your favorite Mork & Mindy episodes with plenty of popcorn and soda. Explore other works by Robin Williams—his filmography includes many award-winning performances. You can also throw a themed alien party with costumes, sci-fi snacks, and out-of-this-world entertainment. Don’t forget to share the fun online with fellow fans!

When is Invite an Alien to Live with You Day in 2025?

Invite an Alien to Live with You Day is observed annually on July 21.

Observations