As with the rest of you Cineworld film fans, I woke up today to the sad news that Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams has died at the age of 63 from an apparent suicide.
Although in recent years his output was patchy to say the least, Williams starred in two of my formative childhood films – as the wisecracking Genie in Disney’s Aladdin (an almost entirely improvised role), and as a father who disguises himself as his kids’ Scottish nanny in Mrs. Doubtfire. A sequel was in fact in the works prior to the actor's death.
It’s impossible to overstate the impact of Williams’ delightful comic presence on my impressionable seven-year-old self. As the Genie, Williams single-handedly paved the way for superstar voice artists in future Disney films, and as for Mrs. Doubtfire… well, who can forget the priceless scene in which he performs the Heimlich maneuver (in drag) on a flustered Pierce Brosnan?
Born in Chicago in 1951, Williams grew up to be accepted into the esteemed Juilliard School for performing arts in 1973. But it was his role as loveable alien Mork (who first appeared on an episode of Happy Days) that secured him as a star. The ensuing series Mork and Mindy ran from 1978 until 1982, and featured Williams as the affable extraterrestrial who arrives on Earth in his egg-shaped spaceship, where he falls in love with human Mindy (played by Pam Dawber).
Williams’ ascent to the comedy A-list was further fuelled by a string of hit stand-up shows, although his struggles with cocaine addiction were well documented. His first hit film role, 1987’s Good Morning Vietnam, won him an Oscar nomination and provided an energetic showcase for his famous improvisational skills.
Although primarily known as a stand-up comedian and comic actor, Williams broadened his dramatic palette with another acclaimed, Oscar-nominated performance in 1989’s Dead Poet’s Society, directed by Peter Weir. (The final "Oh Captain, my Captain" scene is one of my all-time favourite Williams scenes).
He also collaborated with Terry Gilliam in oddball romantic fantasy The Fisher King (1991) and finally clinched an Oscar for his powerful performance as Matt Damon’s therapist in the Damon/Ben Affleck-scripted drama Good Will Hunting. (As another example of his improvisational talents, Williams ad-libbed the memorable scene where his character Sean Maguire relates an anecdote about his late wife to Damon’s Will Hunting.)
As with other comedians, Williams made a successful move into dark territory with memorably chilling performances in Christopher Nolan’s Insomnia and dark thriller One Hour Photo, both released in 2002. And although the quality of his roles perhaps lessened in recent years, he left behind a diverse body of work that can make us laugh, make us cry and chill us to the bone.
Williams is survived by his wife of three years, Susan Schneider, and his three children from two previous marriages.
RIP Robin – you’ll always be Euphegenia Doubtfire to me, the character who made me laugh myself senseless with a peerless “run-by fruiting”.
What are your favourite Robin Williams performances? Post your choices in the comments section.
