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Background[]
The late Robin Williams ( b. 21 July 1951 - d. 11 August 2014 ) was an American stand-up comedian and a critically acclaimed actor who appeared in various live action television and cinematic roles; as well as several voice acting performances.
He is widely considered to be one of the greatest comedians of all time with his razor sharp wit and maniac energetic patter. Despite being originally famous for his legendary improvisational skills accompanied with a plethora of bizarre characters and unique voices he created―he became almost equally as well known for his keen performances in a number of serious dramatic cinematic roles. Williams won a number of awards and commendations for his varied multifaceted character roles over the years including an Academy Award; four Golden Globes for comedy and drama; and a Cecil B. DeMille Award.
Williams rose to stardom in his beloved signature role as Mork the Alien from Ork―the primary star of the Mork & Mindy TV sitcom series. He was also celebrated and best remembered for his performances in Good Morning, Vietnam; Good Will Hunting; Mrs. Doubtfire; and serving as the voice of the Genie in the animated Disney's Aladdin film.
Biography[]
Personal Life[]
Filmography[]
- Can I Do It 'Till I Need Glasses? (1977)
- The Richard Pryor Show (1977) 2 episodes
- Laugh-In (1977) 1 episode
- Eight Is Enough (1977) 1 episode
- America 2-Night (1978) 2 episodes
- Happy Days (1978-79) 2 episodes
- Mork & Mindy (1978-82) series regular
- Out of the Blue (1979) 1 episode
- Popeye (1980)
- The World According to Garp (1982)
- Pac Preview Party (1982)
- Faerie Tale Theatre (1982) 1 episode
- Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour (1982) series regular
- SCTV Network (1982) 1 episode
- The Survivors (1983)
- Moscow on the Hudson (1984)
- Pryor's Place (1984) 1 episode
- The Best of Times (1986)
- Club Paradise (1986)
- Seize the Day (1986)
- Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam (1987)
- Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)
- Jonathan Winters: On the Ledge (1987)
- The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)
- Rabbit Ears: Pecos Bill (1988)
- Portrait of a White Marriage (1988)
- Dead Poets Society (1989)
- Cadillac Man (1990)
- Awakenings (1990)
- Shakes the Clown (1991)
- Dead Again (1991)
- The Fisher King (1991)
- Hook (1991)
- A Wish for Wings That Work (1991)
- Rabbit Ears: The Fool and the Flying Ship (1991)
- FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992)
- From Time to Time (1992)
- Aladdin (1992)
- Toys (1992)
- Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
- Homicide: Life on the Street (1994) 1 episode
- Being Human (1994)
- The Larry Sanders Show (1992-94) 2 episodes
- In Search of Dr. Seuss (1994)
- Nine Months (1995)
- To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar (1995)
- Aladdin on Ice (1995)
- Jumanji (1995)
- The Birdcage (1996)
- Jack (1996)
- Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996)
- The Secret Agent (1996)
- Hamlet (1996)
- Friends (1997) 1 episode
- Fathers' Day (1997)
- Deconstructing Harry (1997)
- Flubber (1997)
- Good Will Hunting (1997)
- Great Minds Think for Themselves (1997) 12 episodes
- One Saturday Morning (1998) 2 episodes
- What Dreams May Come (1998)
- Patch Adams (1998)
- L.A. Doctors (1999) 1 episode
- Get Bruce (1999)
- Jakob the Liar (1999)
- Bicentennial Man (1999)
- A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)
- One Hour Photo (2002)
- Death to Smoochy (2002)
- Insomnia (2002)
- Freedom: A History of Us (2003) 4 episodes
- Life with Bonnie (2003) 1 episode
- The Final Cut (2004)
- House of D (2004)
- Noel (2004)
- Robots (2005)
- The Big White (2005)
- The Night Listener (2006)
- RV (2006)
- Everyone's Hero (2006)
- Man of the Year (2006)
- Happy Feet (2006)
- Night at the Museum (2006)
- License to Wed (2007)
- August Rush (2007)
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2008) 1 episode
- Shrink (2009)
- World's Greatest Dad (2009)
- Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)
- Old Dogs (2009)
- Happy Feet Two (2011)
- Wilfred (2012) 1 episode
- Louie (2012) 1 episode
- The Big Wedding (2013)
- Lee Daniels' The Butler (2013)
- The Face of Love (2013)
- The Crazy Ones (2013-14) series regular
- Boulevard (2014)
- The Angriest Man in Brooklyn (2014)
- A Merry Friggin' Christmas (2014)
- Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014)
- Absolutely Anything (2015)
Trivia[]
- Was roommates with Christopher Reeve at Julliard and were best friends throughout their lives. Williams would help with Reeve's medical bills and further dedicated his Cecil DeMille's Lifetime Achievement Award to him in 2005.
Quotes[]
- "No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world."
- "If Heaven exists, to know that there's laughter, that would be a great thing."
- "You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it."
- "People say satire is dead. It's not dead; it's alive and living in the White House."
- "Comedy can be a cathartic way to deal with personal trauma."
- "Never pick a fight with an ugly person, they've got nothing to lose."