It's hard to imagine that the wild, wacky bundle of energy known as Robin Williams is no longer with us. For young and old alike he made us laugh and gave us countless movie memories.
For example, the little kid in all of us treasures the loveable Genie he gave voice to in Walt Disney's animated hit, "Aladdin." When released from captivity inside a golden lamp, Robin's Genie became a magical presence who was larger than life–a giant, genial blue genie with a range of 50 voices.
It's hard to imagine that the wild, wacky bundle of energy known as Robin Williams is no longer with us. For young and old alike he made us laugh and gave us countless movie memories.
For example, the little kid in all of us treasures the loveable Genie he gave voice to in Walt Disney's animated hit, "Aladdin." When released from captivity inside a golden lamp, Robin's Genie became a magical presence who was larger than life–a giant, genial blue genie with a range of 50 voices.
Much of the merry vocal madness was improvised by the playful comic who was allowed to release his own internal comic genie in the recording studio.
A shy person in his youth, Robin studied acting in high school and college, then went on to Julliard. .But his career really took off when he landed a guest-starring role as Mork, an alien from Ork on Garry Marshall's "Happy Days." Viewers fell in love with the madcap Mork and Williams was immediately signed to do the spin-off series "Mork & Mindy" with Pam Dauber, which premiered in 1978.
In a tribute to Robin on ABC's "20/20" writer/director Marshall talked about Robin's audition which he did "standing on his head." His comic craziness immediately won over the director who had tears in his eyes as he spoke about his friend.
Later in his career Williams took on a more serious role in Penny Marshall's film "Awakenings" in which he starred opposite Robert De Niro.
In 1980, Williams made his film debut in the title role of "Popeye" for director Robert Altman. "The World According to Garp" and "Moscow on the Hudson" followed. His first Academy Award nomination was for his role in Barry Levinson's comedy-drama "Good Morning, Vietnam." "Dead Poets Society," directed by Peter Weir, earned him his second Oscar nomination and his third nomination was for his work in Terry Gilliam's "The Fisher King."
He finally landed the golden statuette for his supporting role in "Goodwill Hunting," written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.
He won Grammys for his comedy records that included: "Reality, What a Concept" and "An Evening at the Met" which appeared on HBO and was the culmination of a 23 city sold-out tour. This marked the first time a solo comic had taken the stage in the renowned opera hall.
However, many of his fans may not be aware that the comic also starred with Steve Martin in Mike Nichols' off-Broadway adaptation of Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot" and not long ago he returned to the New York stage as a Bengal tiger in a Kabul zoo on Broadway.
At heart, Robin was a stand-up comic. In fact his career got started in 1976 when he began performing regularly at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles which is where he was spotted by casting agents who recognized his great comic gifts.
Even if we never got to see him live on stage, we had countless chances to be beguiled by his wild and crazy comedy when he guested with Leno and Letterman or appeared on countless TV entertainment shows.
Besides giving us plenty to laugh about, even when he was hurting in his own private life, he also gave his time to humanitarian organizations and was a primary force in "Comic Relief" along with his comedy buddies Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg.
He also went to the Middle East to entertain the troops and was the heir apparent to Bob Hope and his USO Tours. Robin loved his audiences at home and abroad and they loved him in return.
He was a also a good friend to others, especially Christopher Reeve. They were classmates in acting school and remained life-long friends. In an interview, following his terrible accident Reeves said at one point he didn't want to go on living and even contemplated taking his own life, but after a visit from Robin his will to live was reawakened. His friend not only consoled him, he made him laugh again.
While marriages proved to be a rocky road, he fathered three children he loved deeply. In an interview he spoke about how much each child meant to him. He also had his ups and downs with substance abuse throughout his life, but the tragic, untimely death of his comedic buddy John Belushi, from a drug overdose, helped Robin seek professional help. During trying times in his life he always put on a happy face, but sadly, in the end his personal demons led to despair.
During an Actor's Studio interview, when asked what he wanted to hear from God when he got to heaven, Robin replied with a twinkle in his eye, " There's a place for you here in the front row." I am sure his wish has been granted–and not only will he have a front row seat, he will also take center stage and crack up the angels and saints.
In fact the Comedy store marquee posted their farewell saying: "Make God Laugh." And I am sure he will.
As for me, perhaps my favorite Robin Williams film was the hilarious, but bittersweet comedy, "Mrs. Doubtfire" where he dressed up as a Nanny to be with his three children following a divorce in which he lost a custody battle.
The Chris Columbus film co-starred Sally Field and was one I saw often with my mom wh
