That's what makes Williams' death so tragic; he was the light of so many peoples' lives, so effortlessly funny, that it's so upsetting he couldn't battle his inner darkness. If anything, this is a strong reminder that depression is no joke, and it can affect anyone despite their reputation of their behavior.
Having just completed work on 5 projects, including the reprisal of his role as Theodore Roosevelt in the newest "Night at the Museum" film, the Oscar winner was an extremely versatile performer gaining notoriety for not only being extremely funny (he was "the funniest man alive" according to Entertainment Weekly in an article they ran back in 1997), but being an adept dramatic actor. He is also one of the few actors that received formal instruction, being one of only 2 students being accepted into John Houseman's acting program at Julliard (the other was Superman himself, Christopher Reeve, who became a great friend to Williams throughout his life). Other actors to follow in Williams' footsteps at attending Julliard include 2 time Academy Award nominee Viola Davis and Jessica Chastain, the latter received a scholarship from Williams himself, and has gone on to be heralded as "the next Meryl Streep".
But rather than focus on the sadness of losing many potential great Robin Williams performances, let's look back on the great ones he left us with, the ones that will continue to inspire and entertain people forever.
5. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Possibly one of the most iconic roles Williams ever took on, "Mrs. Doubtfire" has gone on to become a staple in the list of films you grow up with as a child. In the film, Williams plays a man forced to disguise himself as an elderly British nanny named Mrs. Doubtfire when his estranged ex-wife (played by Sally Field) wins custody over their children, preventing his character from seeing them. Mrs. Doubtfire, however, works as the children's caretaker (unbeknownst to Field's character) and what ensues is a whole lot of boisterous, hilarious comedy headlined by Williams incomparable performance; the man had a real gift for physical comedy. Though a Mrs. Doubtfire sequel had long been in the works (now obviously cancelled), it's a pleasure that we got to meet Mrs. Doubtfire at all.
4. Good Will Hunting (1997)
The film that won Williams his first and only Oscar (after 3 other nominations) was a bit different from your typical Robin Williams performance, in that he was not the center of attention. His role is mainly the film's catalyst; to bring the audience knowledge about what is troubling Matt Damon's character. But so much of why Williams was truly one of the greats is in this performance; not many actors know when to reel it back and share a scene, and for someone like Williams (who oozed charisma and stage presence) it seemed like it would be hard, but the man made it look just as easy as it was for him to make us laugh.
And honestly, watch his Oscar acceptance speech, when his name is called; the room goes insane. This was a man who was truly beloved and respected by not only audiences, but the industry.
Considered by many to be his "breakout role" (it landed him his first Oscar nomination, and was an unexpected hit at the box office). Williams improvised much of the role, giving it so much of his own trademark energy, and bringing comedy to a subject dominated by tragedy (another career trademark for the actor). Looking back, his work still seems so amazingly energetic, fresh and new. How many actors can say that about their work? Not many.
Considered by many to be his greatest work, his role as a homeless man in the film is filled with so much darkness, but Williams fleshes him out as a real character by walking that thin tight rope of comedy and tragedy, breaking our hearts while simultaneously making our ribs hurt from laughing. Variety magazine said it best in their description of his work:
"Williams delivers his most perfectly calibrated performance of his career: freewheeling in that way we know and love, but also speaking to a deep sense of loss. It's the comic as inspired man man, as wounded warrior."
Now, I know it's a voice over performance, but hear me out on this one. Williams' work in the animated film as the iconic Genie transcends your every day voice over performance, in a way that Eddie Murphy's Donkey did in the first "Shrek" film. Williams famously didn't want to voice the character at first, but changed his mind after testing some material for his stand up routine. During the recording sessions, he asked that instead of referring to the screenplay, if he could "ad-lib" some lines, which turned into improvising much of his character's own dialogue (the film was famously not considered for any Best Original Screenplay awards because of how much Williams improvised). Genie is the highlight of Aladdin (one of the only reasons I even watch the film if I'm being honest) and it's almost as if Williams is there acting in the film alongside these animated cartoons. When I see Genie, I see Robin Williams, and that's an incredible achievement for any actor to accomplish, but especially so with an animated character. He was honored with a Special Achievement award for his work in the film by the Golden Globes, and has left an iconic character for people of all ages to admire for the rest of their lives.
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