Remembering Robbin Williams: Legendary Comedian Like No Other

WHETHER covered in prosthetic makeup and a fat suit as Mrs Doubtfire or as an animated genie in Aladdin, you couldn’t mistake the larger-than-life personality of Robin Williams in his films.

While he will be best remembered for his side-splittingly hilarious antics, he also boasted serious acting chops: he scored four Oscar nominations through his career, winning one in 1997 for Good Will Hunting.

The world is in mourning with the news that Williams has died at 63. Police have confirmed that they found Williams’ body in his home about noon Monday (California time) and he was pronounced dead at 12.02pm.

The actor had been entertaining audiences with his razor sharp wit for more than 40 years, with many iconic roles. These were among his best:

1) Mrs Doubtfire

Who could forget Williams’ brilliant turn as a dad who is so desperate to spend time with his children after a messy divorce that he dresses up as an elderly housekeeper named Mrs Doubtfire. The lengths to which he goes to keep both identities separate made the film one of the funniest family comedies of the 90s.In 1993, Williams won a Golden Globe Award for his role and the film went on to be ranked as the 67th funniest movie of the 20th century by the American Film Institute.

According to The Hollywood Reporter , Williams had recently agreed to star in a long-awaited sequel, which was in the early stages of development.

2)  Good Will Hunting:

In 1997, Williams starred in a more serious role, alongside Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in Good Will Hunting. The role won Williams his first and only Academy Award. Despite the fact the film was a drama, the funnyman couldn’t resist sneaking a few laughs in: according to IMDB, Williams adlibbed some of his funnier lines, including a story about his wife farting in bed.

3)  Dead Poets Society

He was the teacher we all wished we had. In 1989’s Dead Poets Society, Williams played English teacher John Keating, who inspired his university students to love poetry, to follow their hearts, and to seize the day (‘Carpe Diem’). Liam Neeson was originally cast in the role, but it was given to Williams when director Peter Weir took over the reins of the film. Williams was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in this modern classic.

4) Good Morning, Vietnam:

Here was Robin Williams at his improvisational best. In 1987 Williams starred as a radio DJ who was sent to Vietnam to entertain US troops. In real life, he entertained everyone who saw the flick and reportedly adlibbed all of the radio broadcast scenes. Williams was nominated for an Academy Award, and won a Golden Globe, for his role in the film.

5) Aladdin

His face may never have appeared on screen, but Williams’ larger-than-life personality was all over the 1992 animated Disney favourite Aladdin.

The cartoon tale of the petty thief-turned-prince was biggest movie of 1992 and Williams, who voiced the Genie, was the standout character.

Ironically, the cartoon may have been the character most like Williams we’d ever seen on screen, as he buzzed about variously impersonating Jack Nicholson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Scotsman, Robert De Niro, a female flight attendant and a roast turkey.

                                       

Source: news.com.au