As someone who has suffered from depression and anxiety in the past, it is his struggle with mental health that has impacted me the most and how he must have felt in his final hours. A man who was a strong contender for "The Funniest Man On Earth" is no longer with us.
What really stuck out amongst all the articles and reports was a poignant quote from Robin's wife who said:
"it is our hope that the focus will not be on Robin's death but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions."
In a moment of pure sadness like this it is easy to forget the sheer joy that Robin Williams at his very best brought to the table. So from one Robin Williams fan to another here are five Robin Williams films that stand as a fitting tribute to a true Hollywood great!
1. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
If you are currently in your 20s, chances are your defining image of Robin Williams is dressed as an old lady with his 'boobs' on fire. It's the perfect Sunday afternoon film and amongst all the hilarity there's actually a touching story in there, Plus it's one of the few films about divorce that doesn't go for the schmaltzy happy ending but shows that people can put their differences aside for their kids. Expect to see plenty of Mrs. Doubtfire clips on the news over the next few days,
2. Good Morning Vietnam (1987)
An Oscar nomination and Golden Globe victory still don't do this movie justice. Williams' portrayal of Adrian Cronauer is dominated by his trademark manic humour but also showcased a dramatic flair (more on this later). Plus anyone who has seen the movie can't simply say the title in a normal manner. So make sure you check out 'GOOOOD MORNING VIETNAM!!' if you haven't already.
3. Aladdin (1992)
To this day Robin Williams voicing the Genie in this Disney classic is probably the definitive celebrity role in an animated film. It was a huge thing at the time and the Genie wouldn't be half the character without Robin's input. Now it happens all the time but no one has surpassed Genie. It's made all the better by the fact that a huge percentage of his lines were improvised, leading the animators to having a lot more work to do than expected. A real treat.
4. One Hour Photo (2002)
A real departure from the comedy roles he'd become renowned for, Seymour Parish the mild mannered employee of a photo lab who becomes obsessed with a young family was simply chilling. There are moments where you don't know how to feel about this very mixed up and lonely man but it's the likeability of Robin Williams that leaves you really feeling for Seymour. Quite possibly my personal favourite Robin Williams film.
5. Good Will Hunting (1997)
How could we ignore the movie that gave Robin the Oscar he so sorely deserved? His role as psychologist Sean Maguire helped Ben Affleck and Matt Damon launch their respective careers while further solidifying his own place as a true Hollywood stalwart.
So instead of feeling down, I'm going to revisit these movies and be thankful that at least this wonderful actor was able to give us so many career defining roles even beyond the ones I mentioned here.
Nanu Nanu Mork. RIP Robin Williams
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