Ten Years Later – Remembering Robin Williams

One of a kind. Unique. Explosive. Funny. Dramatic.

These are some of the descriptors for the legendary comedian and Oscar-winning actor Robin Williams, who we remember on the 10 year anniversary of his untimely passing.

Just think of his library of onscreen work. Mork from Ork on sitcom Mork & Mindy; the radio shock jock from Good Morning, Vietnam; Popeye; the zany animated genie in Aladdin; the revered English teacher in Dead Poets Society; the caring therapist in Good Will Hunting; the loving father in Mrs. Doubtfire; the doctor in Awakenings, among so many other roles.

Williams died by suicide on August 11, 2014, shocking the masses but leaving a lasting impact in his 63 years.

The career of Robin Williams took off in the 1978, of course,when he co-starred in Mork & Mindy as an alien from the planet Ork. The sitcom, which was launched after introducing his character in Happy Days, was an immediate hit and the precursor to an acting career that never slowed down.

Williams also starred in films like The World According to Garp, The Cadillac Man, The Birdcage, Hook, One Hour Photo, and the Night at the Museum films. And he was nominated for four Academy Awards, with a victory in 1998 for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in Good Will Hunting.

“This must be the one time I am speechless,” noted Williams in his acceptance speech. “Thank you Ben (Affleck) and Matt (Damon).” I still want to see some ID.”

In honor of Robin Williams, here are some items about the belover performer you may not be aware of.

1) In 1973, Williams attained a full scholarship to the Juilliard School in New York City. He was one of 20 students accepted into the freshman class, and Williams and Christopher Reed were the only two accepted by John Houseman into the Advanced Program at the school that year. William Hurt and Mandy Patinkin were also classmates.

2) Williams began doing stand-up after he saw an advertisement for comedy classes in the basement of a San Francisco Lutheran church.

3) His debut on television was on an episode of the revival of zany variety hour Laugh-In in 1977. Creator George Schlatter saw him perform his stand-up and asked him to appear.

4) Williams’ first film role was in the 1977 low-budget anthology comedy Can I Do It…’Til I Need Glasses?

5) He was a regular guest on various talk shows, including more than 50 appearances on Late Night with David Letterman.

6) Williams won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for the recording of his 1979 live show at the Copacabana in New York City, Reality … What a Concept.

7) He first met the children in Mrs. Doubtfire dressed in full makeup and costume as a test to see how convincing he was. The kids were told he was director Chris Columbus’s mother, and they didn’t recognize Williams at all.

8) Shortly before his passing, Williams returned to television opposite Sarah Michelle Gellar in the one season workplace sitcom The Crazy Ones. He played Simon Roberts, a Chicago advertising executive.

“Kindness was my first impression,” said Sarah Michelle Gellar in a recent interview about Robin Williams with Vanity Fair. “He never felt like his job was done until he made everyone feel comfortable and happy.”

Ten years to the day after his passing we remember Robin Williams. May his impressive body of work live on!