A Tribute to Robin Williams

"You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2SliEAGamw

As the news filtered in of the death of Robin Williams, the world reacted with an outpouring of sadness for a man who had touched so many lives through his work. 

A comedian, an actor and a brilliant improv entertainer. There will never be another like him.

 "Mork calling Orson"

 Early in his career, Williams worked a lot of comedy clubs as an improv comedian. To be able to not only do improv but to be able to do it well is a rare gift. Audiences were often amazed at how quickly Williams mind worked. That these jokes came to his mind so fast, funny jokes too, was an incredible thing to behold.

Williams first big break came when he won a role as the alien Mork in an episode of Happy Days, a role he won by sitting on his head in the audition. This one episode was so popular that the producers decided to give him his own series on the strength of it, Mork & Mindy. A series about an alien visitor trying to understand earth (more specifically American) culture brought him to the attention of major movie producers.

"You ain't never had a friend like me"

Robin Williams will be mainly remembered for his comedy films which, if you're honest, are quite variable.

There are some good ones (Jumanji, Mrs Doubtfire) but there are some poor ones too (Patch Adams, Popeye). But even in his worst movies, you could never put the fault with Williams who always seemed to put everything he had into his roles.

For a generation though, Robin Williams will always be remembered as the voice of the Genie in Disney's Aladdin. I don't believe there's another actor who could have done what he did as the Genie.

There are other talented comedians who could have played the Genie and though he might have still been funny he would have been a different character. Only Williams could give the Genie the warmth, playfulness and child-like innocence that so endeared the character to cinema audiences.

"GOOD MORNING VIETNAMMM!!!"

As well as his comedy, Williams was a superb dramatical actor.

He received his first of four Oscar nomination for his role as Adrian Cronauer in 1987 tragi-comedy Good Morning, Vietnam. Williams plays a radio DJ stationed in Saigon during the Vietnam conflict. It should come as no surprise to learn, many of Williams lines were improvised.

Other roles followed such as Dead Poets Society, The Fisher King (both earning him Oscar nominations) and Awakenings. It was 1998 however when Williams finally won a golden statue when he won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Good Will Hunting.

In the early 2000's, he played darker roles such as in One Hour Photo and Insomnia, showing the full range of his acting skills. Even in the otherwise forgettable Bi-Centennial Man, the tragedy of Williams performance still shines through.

"People think they know you. They expect you to be literally like you are on TV or in the movies, bouncing off the walls."

As is too often the case with great performers, there is a tragedy that lies behind the laughter.

Williams suffered a lot of personal issues stemming from his alcoholism and drug abuse. He checked himself into rehab on several occasions to try and overcome it.

Twice divorced, Williams had money troubles forcing him to take on a lot of work he was ill prepared for. There are currently six Robin Williams films in post-production.

However, despite his personal problems there are many stories of his great kindness. The late actor Christopher Reeve, a long time friend, once told a story of how Williams would visit him in hospital following his riding accident that caused his paralysis. Williams, he said, was the first person to make him smile and laugh since it happened.

I don't want to focus on his tragic death but remember the great moments he provided to millions around the world.

The Genie is free. Mork has returned to the planet Ork.