ROBIN WILLIAMS - dies aged 63 - R.I.P.

The world is reeling today following the announcement of the tragic and sudden death of Robin Williams reported overnight. Pronounced dead just after mid-day on Monday 11th August 2014 at his home in Tiburon, Northern California the exact circumstances surrounding his death are still not yet clear, although suicide by asphyxiation is suspected at this time. Struggling with early cocaine abuse and alcohol addiction in later years, he had suffered severe depression in more recent times in the period leading up to his death.

I had the privilege to see Robin Williams live at the Sydney Entertainment Centre a few years ago and being a long-term fan will always remember his rapid fire routine, his quick thinking, and his no holds barred approach to his stand-up comedy act. Nothing was off the table and anyone and everyone, anything and everything was fodder for his comedic genius - his quips, his one-liners, his observations on life, his accompanying mannerisms and facial gestures, his vocal capabilities, and his ability for improvisation were almost unequalled, and the foundation for his success. A true comic genius that transcended to the big screen in many memorable performances - humorous, dramatic and at times sinister - Williams had the full range and leaves us with a profound legacy of work that will ensure his memory lives on.

Born Robin McLaurin Williams on July 21st 1951 in Chicago he later moved to the San Francisco Bay area where he graduated from High School. He studied theatrical art at the College of Marin and later won a three years scholarship to Juilliard in New York where he got to know fellow student, Christopher Reeve. He wanted to become a dramatic actor but turned to stand-up comedy when he could get the break he needed.

Then in 1978 his break came on the long running 50's teen sit-com 'Happy Days' when a friendly happy-go-lucky out of place alien was cast on the show. Such was the success of his turn on this show that a spin-off series was created, and so 'Mork & Mindy' hit our television screens with Williams playing 'Mork' from the planet Ork. The hit show ran for four successful years until 1982 during which time he starred as 'Popeye' in the film of the same name in 1980, and 'The World according to Garp' in 1982. In the few years that followed a number of other TV shows and films would occupy his time, but it was 1987's 'Good Morning, Vietnam' that really established Williams as a force to be reckoned with.

From there he never looked back and starred in many film roles utilising his comic talents, his ability for improvisation, his voice range, and his desire to act in the more dramatic movies that would now come his way. His filmography is diverse and varied and includes 'The Adventures of Baron Munchausen', 'Dead Poets Society', 'Toys', 'Awakenings', 'Dead Again', 'The Fisher King', 'Hook', 'Mrs. Doubtfire', 'What Dreams May Come', 'Jumanji', 'The Birdcage', 'Deconstructing Harry', 'Flubber', 'Good Will Hunting', 'Bicentennial Man', 'Jakob the Liar', 'Patch Adams', 'One Hour Photo', 'Insomnia', 'RV', 'Man of the Year' and recently 'The Butler' and 'The Angriest Man in Brooklyn'. He also starred in two 'Night at the Museum' films and lent his considerable voice talents to two 'Happy Feet' films, Disney's 'Aladdin', 'Robot's' and 'A.I. : Artificial Intelligence' amongst others. Due for release later in 2014 are still to come 'Merry Friggin' Christmas' and the third in the 'Night at the Museum' franchise with 'Secret of the Tomb'.

Williams was the recipient of an Academy Award win for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in 1998 for 'Good Will Hunting' and was nominated a further three times for the Best Actor in a Lead Role category. He won the Golden Globe in 1978 for 'Mork & Mindy', in 1987 for 'Good Morning, Vietnam', in 1992 for 'The Fisher King', in 1993 for his voice work on 'Aladdin', in 1994 for 'Mrs. Doubtfire' and in 2005 received the Cecil B. DeMille Award. He was nominated a further six times. Added to this he received two BAFTA nominations for 'Dead Poets Society' and 'Good Morning, Vietnam'. All up he had a career haul of 55 award wins and 67 nominations.

He was married three times - from 1978-1988 to Valerie Velardi; from 1989-2008 to Marsha Williams; and from 2011 to today to Susan Schneider. He had three children - Zak born 1983, Zelda born 1989 and Cody born 1991. He and his former wife Marsha formed 'The Windfall Foundation' to raise funds for many charities, and he was an active supporter of 'Comic Relief' and other worthy causes.







Comic genius, talented actor, voice artist and a man guaranteed to lift the spirits and raise a smile - you will be missed by those you leave behind, but in doing so we have your rich legacy to remind us.

Robin Williams - Rest In Peace
1951-2014.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-