Robin Williams hooks audiences in Hook and other comedy classics

Robin Williams was a family man, an actor and a comedian that became a household name with his role as the alien Mork in the television series Mork & Mindy (1978-1982). Williams as Mork came to Earth from the planet Ork in a small egg-shaped spaceship. Pam Dawber co-starred as Mindy McConnell, his human friend and roommate. The series introduced viewers to Williams’ funny side, and proved that his talent was out of this world.

Williams also made it to the silver screen, playing the role of many memorable characters that made us all laugh, cry and taught us life lessons. According to an article published in People Magazine on August 12, 2014, Williams once said to the U.K.’s Telegraph, “I love kids, but they are a tough audience.”

Since the beginning of his career, and ability to make each character he played feel real and relatable, Williams proved that he didn’t have a problem with his younger audiences.

In 1991 Williams took on the role as the Peter Pan character in Hook. Alongside Julia Roberts as Tinker Bell, Williams had one final go at being a child before saying goodbye to it forever. The movie’s plot is significantly similar to Disney’s classic Peter Pan released in 1953. Hook had some haters, but Williams brought realism to the many unrealistic scenes. In this film, Williams’ character teaches us to use our imagination no matter how old we are; it is an adventurous story full of surprises and laughs.

In 1992 Williams played a huge personality that lived in a tiny gold lamp which he described as an “itty bitty living space.” His comedic timing, perfection at improvising, and ability to do so many different voices is what brought the Genie to life in Disney’s animated film Aladdin. According to People Magazine, Williams improvised so much for the role as Genie that the film was denied a chance at a Best Screen Play Oscar.

One year later Williams did play a role that would earn him a couple of awards. In 1993 he literally transformed himself into a fun-loving nanny with a big secret, and he called himself Mrs. Doubtfire. The film co-starring Sally Field as the ex-wife with the new, handsome boyfriend instantly became a hit and a timeless classic. In 1994 Mrs. Doubtfire won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture and Williams’ earned himself an MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance.

Williams was well known in the stand-up comedy circuit and one of the most accomplished actors of his generation. Films like the Dead Poets Society showcase a more serious side of Williams. In this film he doesn’t have the most screen time, but he does what he can with the time he is given. He plays an unconventional teacher who guides his students on a path to self-discovery. It has been ranked as one of the best coming of age films of it's time.

Throughout his career Williams has continued to take on unexpected movie roles that at one time might not have been best suited for a comedian. With each character that he played, Williams showed a different side of himself and proved that he can breathe life into any character. He took on each role with compassion, enthusiasm and personality.