A Tribute to the Late, Great, Robin Williams

[BizBuzz]

I am sure I am not the only one that is in utter shock at the news of this talented man.

 

How about we spend some time in celebration of his life?

 

This man was a part of my pop culture.  I can remember laughing uncontrollably at him and Jonathan Winters in Mork and Mindy.  And it grew from there.

 

I am a little lost for words at the moment, but I wanted to get this up and running, so I have something to come back to at various points and remember the mark he left on those that loved his work.

[SrPab]

Some of my most favorite performances of his are as: Adrian Cronauer in Good Morning Vietnam, John Keating in Dead Poets Society, Genie in Aladdin, and Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting. I'll miss him.

[bref]

His early standup made me laugh until I couldn't breathe. I also liked him in his more serious acting roles, What Dreams May Come and Good Will Hunting and the like. Basically, I just liked the guy. His difficulties with addiction and depression made him all the more relatable to me. I felt he was an extremely sensitive soul and I wish he had found some peace. :(

 

The last thing I saw him on was Louie a year or two ago. Great guest bit with him playing someone with his name, but who wasn't him, as he and Louie marked the passing of a fellow comic. Think I'll go see if I can watch that online.

 

Really sad news.

[Petunia13]

I heard he had bipolar disorder but disn r have another mental illness... I don't even know the name but Johnathan Winters had it too where they can't stop playing a character or performing?

[Mya Stone]

I know that people think we idolize celebrity culture, but truly, so many people grew up on his shows and movies. As a child of divorce, Mrs. Doubtfire will forever be in my heart as the movie that explained to me why my parents wouldn't work out, and why it was okay. I was 12 when it came out. It spoke to me. 
 

My heart hurts for his family, and those close to him.
 

Depression is such a serious disease. If nothing else, I hope this sheds some light onto this crippling disease a little more.

[Sharpie66]

Just last night I was watching Mythbuster-related vids on YT, and I saw this great ep of his podcast on Favorite Adaptations. Go to 22:15 for Adam Savage's story about the time Robin gave him a 25 minute long riff on a foundered cocaine-smuggling boat:

[spaceytraci1208]

Awwww, damn! R.I.P Robin Williams. Like Smokey said "Ain't too much sadder than the tears of a clown"... :(

[Meredith Quill]

Bringing this over from another thread:

 

Robin Williams wasn't 'just an actor', he was beloved by many, an movie icon, how many kids grew up with Mrs Doubtfire or Aladdin alone? He will be dearly missed.

 

Gone from the world but not from our hearts <3 R.I.P.

[WendyCR72]

TVLine e-mailed me this alert, and it was a complete gut punch.  :-(  For all of that talent and yet being so incredibly unhappy is so tragic. I hope he has found peace now wherever he is.

 

He leaves behind a hell of a lot of great comedy and drama to his name.

[Mya Stone]

I just have to share this amazing Facebook status from one of my best friends. 

 

 

 

so I just want to go ahead and get all the same, tired ass comments that always pop up when a beloved celebrity dies out of the way, so we can grieve this man in peace:
> tasteless jokes
> vague references to "more important things to be upset about"
> parroting canned comments about soldiers in Iraq
> hyperbolic stories about starving children in Africa
> holier than thou, condescending remarks about "celebrity worship" and how stupid it is to be sad about the death of "someone you didn't even know."
Did I miss anything, or are we good? I grew up in the 90s, I'm really fucking upset about this.
EDIT: FORGOT SOME -
> depression is weak
> suicide is selfish
> *insert completely inaccurate statements about mental illness here*
NOW I should have covered everything. I am so not here for people's shit right now.

[bosawks]

I've always had this opinion that the last year or so of Mork & Mindy had one of the more emotionally honest takes on young married life on television.

RIP Robin and tell Jonathon we say hi.

[Jazzy24]

I grew up on so many of his movies like Aladdin, Hook, Good Will Hunting, Jumaji, Mrs. Doubtfire, etc. he was really talented and he always made me laugh, this one hurts a lot.

My condolences goes out to his family and friends

[Cobalt Stargazer]

His early standup made me laugh until I couldn't breathe. I also liked him in his more serious acting roles, What Dreams May Come and Good Will Hunting and the like. Basically, I just liked the guy. His difficulties with addiction and depression made him all the more relatable to me. I felt he was an extremely sensitive soul and I wish he had found some peace. :(

I was more familiar with his comedic work, but his turn as T.S. Garp was his first really memorable role for me. He was actually only four years younger than Glenn Close, who played his mother, but their bond in the film was so real that it never occurred to me. Having been diagnosed with depression myself, I felt for him during his struggles, and I'm sad that he didn't beat the disease. I hope that wherever he is, he rests well.

[FormerMod-a1]

As an improvisor myself, I have always been in awe of his comedic abilities.  But, as others have already said, he was a great dramatic actor as well.  From Good Morning Vietnam to The Fisher King to Dead Poets Society and so on.  Even before this news, the words "Oh Captain, my captain" would nearly bring tears to my eyes.  

 

Great post, @Mya Stone . Fortunately, my FB feed has been full of love and memories about the man and well wishes for his family.

[Sharpie66]

One of my favorite movies of his was an early one, Moscow on the Hudson. He really was fantastic as the Soviet musician who defects and has to adjust to NYC.

[vibeology]

I loved Robin. This hurts so much because he was such a big part of my childhood. Aladdin was Robin's movie and he was amazing in it. It was just his voice but the performance was so dynamic that I'll carry it with me forever. When I saw the Broadway Aladdin, it was a total letdown because even with a huge production, you can't replace Robin. I think he should have won an Oscar for that performance. (I know voice work doesn't typically earn Oscars but I don't think anyone else has ever done work at that level.)

 

And like was said above, his dramatic skills were also amazing. I love One Hour Photo. He was so creepy in that. It shows just how talented a man he was to have One Hour Photo, Good Morning Vietnam, Jumanji and Mrs. Doubtfire as a part of his career.

Edited August 12, 2014 by vibeology

[lottiedottie]

Oh man, I forgot about Good Morning Vietnam. He was really great in that movie. My other favorites were Dead Poets Society and Good Will Hunting. He was so talented, such a shame and what a tragedy for his family.

[BizBuzz]

As much as I loved him as a comedian, like many here, his dramatic roles floored me.

 

I don't know if any of you saw Dead Again with Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson, he played a doctor on that that would just amaze you.

 

My love for Robin Williams was enough that I have two movies on my DVR that I haven't been able to part with as of yet.  Now, you just know they will be staying for a while now (don't hate me for my love of Murphy Brown and please understand that the One Direction is for my daughter and I am not claiming in the other one):

 

[ketchuplover]

This is sad. Only sad.

[ruby24]

I can't believe this. I was in shock for a good hour after hearing. I'm also a 90's kid and it's kind of unbelievable how it seems like I kind of grew up on him and his movies- Aladdin, Jumanji, Hook, Mrs. Doubtfire- I mean, I remember seeing those movies in the theater and watching when he won the Oscar for Good Will Hunting.

 

He just doesn't seem like somebody from a long time ago to me. It's very surreal and horribly sad.

Edited August 12, 2014 by ruby24

[BkWurm1]

His death hurts.   So much of what he left on screen was HIM.  It may have only been a tiny part of who he was but I wonder if that extra connection to the real man is what is making his loss that much harder to take. 

 

He exuded a love for everything he did and to the people around him - how could we help but love him back? 

[Sharpie66]

@BizBuzz, thanks for reminding me of his role in Dead Again! I love that movie, and when I saw it in the theater, Williams's uncredited performance was a complete surprise, completely different than anything else in the film but his dark humor realky worked.

[tinaw]

I always remember Mork and Mindy and how funny I thought Robin Williams was in that t.v show.

Then I saw him in Dead Poets Society and he blew me away in that movie "Oh Captain. My Captain"

Such a powerful force

RIP You will be missed Robin Wiliiams

[GHScorpiosRule]

Loved him. Like I mentioned in the tv memoriam thread, I first saw him on Happy Days,,,then Mork & Mindy.  Didn't see all of his movies, but among my favorites were Aladdin, Dead Poets Society, Mrs. Doubtfire. And his performance in Insomnia was downright chilling.

I will miss him. And dammit, I thought I had Aladdin, but I don't, but I am so getting it now.

 

I really wish this had been a really bad hoax, done in poor taste.

 

Rest in peace, Mr. Williams.

[vibeology]

The first time I realized Robin Williams was a genius, I was like five or six and my parents rented Hook for me to watch. I already loved Peter Pan so Hook was a no brainer and I was taken by his presence. I wanted to be Peter because imaginary food fights seemed like the best thing ever and I wanted to learn to fly. Then Aladdin, Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji and Jack came out. At that point I was old enough to watch Dead Poets Society, Good Morning Vietnam and The Birdcage. Then he won his Oscar for Good Will Hunting. I grew up with Robin Williams and I'm so sad to see him go. 

 

His death hurts.   So much of what he left on screen was HIM.  It may have only been a tiny part of who he was but I wonder if that extra connection to the real man is what is making his loss that much harder to take. 

 

He exuded a love for everything he did and to the people around him - how could we help but love him back? 

 

This is so accurate. He was so genuine and full of love. Someone on Twitter or Instagram compared him to everyone's favourite Uncle who you always love even if you don't see him often. 

[AltLivia]

I still remember seeing Hook and Aladdin with my family as a kid, watching Mork & Mindy on Nick at Night. I haven't seen What Dreams May Come in years and don't know if I can handle it with the sad news, but it's also a family favorite. Jumanji and Mrs. Doubtfire and Good Will Hunting, too.

 

I don't know how to phrase this with all the weight it deserves, but Mr. Williams' presence in the world made me feel better about the world. 

Edited August 12, 2014 by ScullyInApt42

[catrox14]

I am so sad. I will miss his stand up comedy and his random riffing like we saw on the classic Inside the Actor's Studio episode and his incredible quick wit that IMO will never be matched.

 

I grew up in Colorado during the Mork and Mindy era and my most treasured memory of Robin Williams is listening to "Reality: What a Concept" whilst going on an adventure with my mom, to find Mork and Mindy's house in Boulder, which turned into a complete bust because we had the wrong street name.  To this day, my mom and I laugh about it

 

So thank you Mr. Williams for making such an impression on me that I wanted to find your fake house in Boulder.  R.I.P. Robin

[amaranta]

I can't write two posts tonight.  Just can't.   Maybe tomorrow.  But I wanted to participate in this tribute, so I'm bring over my In Memoriam post -

 

One of my very favorite things that I ever heard about Robin Williams:

 

He and Christopher Reeves were very close friends for many years and roomed together before they were both famous.  After Reeves accident, Williams dressed up as a doctor and went to Reeves' hospital room.  He proceeded to "examine" him, "diagnose" him and generally riff  about hope, life, and love. He continued these visits well into Reeves rehab, urging him to never give up.

 

Goodbye Mork, Garp, The Fisher King / Parry, Adrian Cronauer, Peter Banning, The Genie, Sean Maguire, John Keating, Armand Goldman, Daniel Hillard / Mrs. Doubtfire, Dr. Malcom Sayer, Teddy Roosevelt and Simon Roberts.  And more.

 

There were times you were effin brilliant.

 

And, oh yeah.  This news really sucks.

[GHScorpiosRule]

Well, I just went ahead and ordered Aladdin, before amazon, or any other retail outlets jack up the prices because he's gone.  I can only imagine what Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg are going through. I remember those three being close when the put together Comic Relief.

[BizBuzz]

OMG, who could forget Comic Relief???

 

I used to just crack up when Whoopi and Billy would just stand back and let Robin take the stage with his antics.  And then they would crack up at him.  He was just so genuinely funny!

[RedKoolAide]

Robin Williams was an amazing talent. He has so many great performances behind him, whether comedic or dramatic.

One of my favorite performances was from "Hook". I know that movie verbatim and the relationship with Peter Banning and his son Jack always touched my heart...even as a child. My favorite line from that movie is right before the food fight and Peter is in a duel of words with Rufio. He says: "You lewd, crude, rude, bag of pre- chewed food dude." Lol, never fails to crack me up.

RIP Robin Williams.

[SilverShadow]

Scott Weigner (the actor who voiced Aladdin) posted a really touching message on Twitter.

[GreekGeek]

So many good performances mentioned already. I'd like to add his turn as a villain in Insomnia. I haven't seen the other two dark films he made in 2002, Death to Smoochy and One Hour Photo. Amazing that he could be so warm and fuzzy in some films and ice cold in others. Another great talent gone too soon.

[ShadowHunter]

I honestly wish I had the words to express this loss. I feel like anything I say would not be enough.  I was stunned when I saw the breaking news on TV. Many of his films brought me great joy during my childhood, and even now his films continue to entertain me and millions of others. Such a loss of profound talent.  My heart goes out to his family and friends at this sad and tragic time. 

[Amerilla]

So incredibly sad. I can't even form coherent thoughts.

Two performances from his TV career I want to note here: his guest appearances on Homicide: Life On the Street ("Bop Gun") and Law & Order: SVU ("Authority"). He got a well deserved Emmy nomination for the Homicide role.

[Inquisitionist]

his guest appearances on Homicide: Life On the Street ("Bop Gun")

 

I'm planning to rewatch that as soon as I have time.  Meanwhile, here is a little clip from youtube.  (Yes, that's a very young Jake Gyllenhaal playing his son.)

[AntiBeeSpray]

His death hurts.   So much of what he left on screen was HIM.  It may have only been a tiny part of who he was but I wonder if that extra connection to the real man is what is making his loss that much harder to take. 

 

He exuded a love for everything he did and to the people around him - how could we help but love him back? 

Very well put.

 

It just hits me HARD. Was crying my eyes out earlier when I first heard of his passing. Will be watching some of his films this week and this weekend.

[BoogieBurns]

The only movie I have here that I could watch tonight is Flubber. I'd also have to find a VCR to play it on. But that movie was an important one for me in my youth. I'd love to watch Aladdin, Ms. Doubtfire, and Hook, so I will find a way to watch those this week.

Edited August 12, 2014 by BoogieBurns

[raven]

Aladdin.  Good Will Hunting (my favorite).  Insomnia and One Hour Photo - both so unexpected, well done.

 

Excuse the cut and paste, I don't usually get troubled about a celebrity passing, but this one has gotten to me.

 

Penned by Walt Whitman, homaged in Dead Poets Society:

 

O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

 

O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up--for you the flag is flung--for you the bugle trills;
For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths--for you the shores a-crowding;
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head;
It is some dream that on the deck,
You've fallen cold and dead.

 

My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;
The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;
From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won;
Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!
But I, with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

Edited August 12, 2014 by raven

[Shannon L.]

 

It just hits me HARD. Was crying my eyes out earlier when I first heard of his passing. Will be watching some of his films this week and this weekend.

Oh, I think it will be a while before I can watch his movies.  It will be too painful.

 

Good actors aren't "just actors"--we let them into our lives and they make us feel like we know them.  The good ones make us laugh, they make us cry, they make us think.  They make us feel. And Robin did all of those things.  My first introduction to him was Mork and Mindy, but my first experience with his stand up was a gig he did in San Francisco.  I don't remember how old I was--preteen or young teen, I forget the year--but when my friend and I watched it on HBO, I laughed so hard I was in tears.  He did a bit about a football coach and a choreographer switching places and I'll never forget him prancing around on stage saying "All right, everyone, line up, line up! OMG, a smorgasbord!"  and "referees, throw the flags, throw the flags.....".  Then, Live at the Met came out and again I was in tears.  "What's your name, beautiful? What's your name, goreous?"...."Fuckoff?  Oh really?  Are you Russian?"  lol!  The Bird Cage, Mrs. Doubtfire, Good Morning Vietnam--brilliant.  Dead Poet's Society, The Fisher King, Awakenings and  Good Will Hunting--we saw that he could act serious in Good Morning Vietnam, but had no idea just what kind of master he could be at those kinds of roles.  I'm so glad he got an Oscar ("This may be the only time you've seen me speechless!")

 

As for Comic Relief, I'll never forget an interview with him, Billy and Whoopi on Oprah.  Oprah asked Billy a question and Robin just took it and went off with it.  When he was done, she turned to him and said "You have a daughter now," at which point Billy jumped in, took that question and ran with it, starting with "Yes, thank you for asking...she's 20 now and..." etc, etc.  It was a great moment. 

[scarynikki12]

Just last night I watched The Birdcage on Netflix.  I watched it because I love the movie but now I'm very happy I did.  I was able to watch a Robin Williams movie one last time with only the reaction of laughter.  I'll still be able to laugh at his comedy but it will have that tinge of sadness from now on as I'll always know he's left this world. 

 

The first thing that came to mind when I learned the news was how Billy must be feeling.  Of course, his children, wife, relatives (is his mother still alive or has she passed?), and friends are devastated and I feel for them, but I never witnessed his relationship with them the way I did Billy.  I saw them work together and fart around together on talk shows and their love for one another shone bright and strong.  They always spoke of the other with such respect and admiration and they had a relationship that transcended friendship and became family.  I hope Billy was with his own family when he learned the news.

 

As I thought about Billy I began to think of his other close friends.  Whoopi and David Letterman are no doubt equally devastated and I hope they take all the time they need to come to terms with their loss.  Maybe they'll take time from their shows, maybe they'll work through their grief with the comfort of the routine of work, but I hope they do what's best for them. 

 

And, as I think of Robin's closest friends, his peers come to mind.  He worked with so many different actors and directors and seemed to have a ball with all of them.  I was reading a short list of the reactions from other actors and it's really amazing how many lives he touched.  Sarah Michelle Gellar simply posting a photo display of the two of them on her Twitter brought on tears, but Jim Gaffigan really got me going:

 

I didn’t know I could be so sad, angry, stunned and grateful at the same time.

 

 

Comedians are such a close knit group and so many have tweeted their love and admiration for him in the wake of the news.  Amidst the devastation it's heartwarming to see the love.

 

I've got his stand up on now and it's helping keep my grief in check.  Only Robin can help me deal with losing him. 

[benteen]

RIP, Robin Williams.  I felt bad when I heard the news.

 

He was a massive movie and television star for over 35 years.

[BoogieBurns]

Only Robin can help me deal with losing him.

 

Same for me. Great way of putting it.

Edited August 12, 2014 by BoogieBurns

[Dandesun]

This one hurts. It hurts down to the bone. It truly feels like losing someone I know, someone I know well... which is unusual for this situation for me. I can be saddened and stunned by celebrity deaths. Some are surprises. Some are not. This one hurts.

Edited August 12, 2014 by Dandesun

[Shannon L.]

 

And, as I think of Robin's closest friends, his peers come to mind.  He worked with so many different actors and directors and seemed to have a ball with all of them.

Another Oprah moment:  He had such a fun time teasing Matt Damon about the stir he caused with the women. 

 

@scarynikki12, The Birdcage has been on rotation on tv here lately and I watched it in the last couple of weeks as well.  I'm also glad I did for the same reasons as you. 

 

 

This one hurts.

Those were my exact words on my Face book post. I think anyone over a certain age, unless you really didn't like his acting/comedy, is going to feel like they've been punched in the gut with this news.

 

I hope, somewhere in the recesses of his mind, he knew just how much he was loved. 

[Sharpie66]

When Mork and Mindy aired, I, like every other 7th grader at my school, started swearing with "Shazbot!" and all of Mork's other sayings. When "Reality, What a Concept" came out, we wore out the groves on the LP. His Shakespeare on that is amazing--he completely improves a 5-minute Shakespearesque bit on Three Mile Island and Studio 54.

"Hark, look! The ghost of Einstein comes hiiiiitherrrr! 'What are you doing with my formula? I give you e=mc squared, you meshuggenah, and you fuck it up like this?'"

And my favorite line that I still quote 35 years later, "Assholes do vex me!!"

Edited August 12, 2014 by Sharpie66

[vb68]

This one  does indeed hurt so very much.  I'm old enough to remember watching those Happy Days episodes even before Mork & Mindy.  I even knew from that early age that I was watching a star being born.  It was that obvious, even to an eight or nine year old   It didn't shock me at all that he got his own show.  I figured people called the network and demanded it.

 

I really loved a lot of his movies, like Good Morning, Vietnam and Good Will Hunting.  I was so happy for him that he won an Oscar, and I could tell it meant so much to him.  I also think Popeye is seriously underrated, especially his performance.  But I guess the one that affected me the most was Dead Poets Society partly because I was exactly the right age for it and the nature of his role.  I remember the interviews at the time he did with the boys in the cast, and the mutual affection was so endearing.

 

And there was, of course, the stand up.  I think genius is often an overused word, but he was an absolute genius on stage.  I can only imagine it would be like watching Beethoeven play or something.  Nobody could do it better.  Though the laughter I would just think, "WOW" .

 

I'm so happy I saw the episode of "The Crazy Ones" with Pam Dawber.  The two of them together one last time gave me  joy.

 

Sigh.  The heart is heavy.

 

Thank you, Mr. Williams for everything.

Edited August 12, 2014 by vb68

[xls]

I was more familiar with his comedic work, but his turn as T.S. Garp was his first really memorable role for me. He was actually only four years younger than Glenn Close, who played his mother, but their bond in the film was so real that it never occurred to me. Having been diagnosed with depression myself, I felt for him during his struggles, and I'm sad that he didn't beat the disease. I hope that wherever he is, he rests well.

Here, here. My favorite RW's movie. I love the mix of comedy and drama. I don't know what to say, except he was a great actor.

Edited August 12, 2014 by xls

[Cobalt Stargazer]

Here, here. My favorite RW's movie. I love the mix of comedy and drama. I don't know what to say, except he was a great actor.

And remember, 'TS.' stands for Terribly Sexy. :-)

[Wilowy]

Aladdin

Good Morning Vietnam

Awakenings

Good Will Hunting

The Fisher King

Fern Gully

Moscow on the Hudson

 

Any and all of these I will watch at the drop of a hat, even before today. He was incredibly talented and even incomparable in many, many things. Tragic loss.

 

If I had three wishes, Genie, one would be to bring you back. Your rules be damned.