Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
It’s been nearly a year since Robin Williams took his own life, during which time we’ve been able to successfully work our way through to the acceptance stage of the Kubler-Ross model. We’d be lying if we didn’t admit to still missing him, though, especially today on what would have been his 64th birthday.
It’s a bit easier to consider the legacy of Robin Williams than it was last August while we were still suffering from the immediate aftershocks of grief. What becomes clear when looking back at his career now is an appreciation for the singular way in which he successfully transitioned from being one of the most electric comedians of his generation to one of the most affecting dramatic talents. He rose to superstardom thanks to the manic (and, at times, chemical-fueled) energy he brought to his work on Mork & Mindy, but it was his ability to tap into the deep well of pathos that lurked beneath his public-facing frenetic self that led to his most iconic film roles: John Keating in Dead Poets Society and Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting.
Then again, one of the most beautiful things about Robin Williams was his versatility. He delighted audiences that wanted to laugh (Aladdin, Mrs. Doubtfire, The Birdcage), he inspired audiences in search of hopefulness in the face of extraordinary odds (Patch Adams, Awakenings), and he creeped the hell out of us, too (Insomnia, One Hour Photo). Whatever it was that you needed Robin Williams to be, there was a role in his filmography for you.
So, with that said, we’d like to honor the memory of a true American original today with this — a fond look back at some of his most inspirational (and hilarious) moments on film. Happy birthday, Robin Williams.
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