For me, and millions of others, Robin Williams is synonymous with childhood.
Whether it was mid-morning re-runs of Mork and Mindy, or sitting in front of my VCR (remember those?!) watching Hook for the billionth time, Robin Williams brings back many happy memories.
It is therefore no surprise that his death has left the world numb.
Many are still trying to comprehend how a man so full of life and laughter could possibly be depressed.
Of course depression does not discriminate and it can affect even the most joyous of people. And, if anything good can be salvaged from this devastating loss, it is that awareness has increased of mental health issues and by losing Robin, we may be able to save someone else.
But I don’t want this to be a sombre read for a true legend never dies.
A man who has touched so many people’s lives can and will never be forgotten. He will be forever immortalised in his films and the roles which he brought to life.
This infographic illustrates Williams’ illustrious career taking us through a pictorial history of some of his most memorable roles. It is hard not to turn this into a list but with so many roles to choose from it’s hard not to for fear of missing one out!
Of course, being born in 1989, my fondest memories of Williams are as Peter Pan, Mrs Doubtfire, Alan Parrish (Jumanji) and of course, Aladdin’s Genie, but his career started long before that.
In 1977 Williams earned a spot on the Richard Pryor show before slipping in to that fetching red jumpsuit a year later to play the unforgettable Mork in Mork and Mindy.
Two years later Williams got his first big screen role, portraying the spinach loving, pipe smoking Popeye. Not one of his most critically acclaimed roles, it has to be said, but hey, not everyone’s perfect. He soon turned that around however, winning an Oscar Nomination and a Golden Globe for his role in Good Morning Vietnam… (I hope you all read that in the voice, otherwise I will be very disappointed in you).
Oscar nominations came like buses over the next few years following the release of Dead Poet’s Society and the Fisher King.
By now Williams had proven that he was more than just an improvisational clown and was just as able to make people cry as he was to make them laugh.
Saying that however, being an improvisational clown came in quite handy during the 90’s. In fact his improvisational takeover of Aladdin hindered the screenplay being eligible for an Oscar, let alone winning one. He soon made up for that though, finally winning an Oscar in 1997 for his role in Good Will Hunting.
I could go on, but I may be here some time. Besides you can see his iconic career below and relive your favourite roles for yourselves. All that is left for me to say that he will be truly missed.
He may not be the only actor to have made us laugh, but he will always be the one and only Robin Williams.
Nanu Nanu!!