The Tragic Death of Robin Williams: 10 Years Later

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For Robin Williams, who killed himself ten years ago this month, the art of comedy began "as a spew, a kind of explosion, and then you sculpt from there, if at all. It comes out of a deeper, darker side. Maybe it comes from anger because I’m outraged by cruel absurdities, the hypocrisy that exists everywhere, even within yourself...where’s it’s hardest to see.”

Director Mark Romanek guided Williams in the movie, One Hour Photo. He offers the following observation about the actor/comedian in the documentary, Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind: “The urge to be funny…was so innate, almost like breathing for him, that if he didn’t get it out of his system, it would have affected his performance in a bad way. I realized when he made people laugh that hard, he used to get a kind of high from it, an endorphin rush or something.”

Actor/comedian Billy Crystal, who was a dear friend to Williams, is also seen in the documentary, agreeing with Romanek. “It’s a very powerful thing for a lot of comedians. That laugh is the drug...That acceptance, that thrill, is really hard to replace with anything else."

Lasting Impression

No doubt, Robin Williams, who made an indelible mark on television and in films, including the comedy film, Mrs. Doubtfire, was famous for his impressions of various Hollywood stars.

However, it was the performer's sincere off-screen persona that had the most inspirational impact on those who knew him best.

For one, Christopher Reeve. Williams and Reeve, best known for his 1978 Superman role, studied acting together at The Juilliard School in New York. They remained close friends until Reeve's also-tragic demise in 2004, one decade before Williams.

Seven days following Reeve's horrific horse-riding accident, Williams visited his friend in the hospital. But, of course, not in the usual way someone else might visit a friend or family member who was ill.

Instead, Williams was dressed from head to toe in scrubs, spoke with a Russian accent, and donned a surgical mask. He was behaving as if he was a legitimate physician, if with a zany disposition.

After Williams removed his mask, Reeve stated, "That was the first time I'd laughed since the accident!"

Other Comedic Instances

When filming the very serious film, Schindler's List in 1993, director Steven Spielberg frequently requested Williams' presence in some manner.

On many occasions, Spielberg would call Williams and then place him on the speakerphone so the actor could share jokes with the film's stars and production to make them smile. During most of those calls, Williams would utilize his voice from his leading role in the 1992 movie, Aladdin.

Robin from Ork

Robin Williams initially blazed onto the Hollywood scene as Mork from Ork, on the hit ABC sitcom, Mork & Mindy. When Williams initially auditioned for the part on Happy Days, which gave birth to Mork & Mindy (which co-stars Pam Dawber), producer Garry Marshall instructed him to sit down.

Williams immediately sat on his head on the chair before him. Consequently, history was made:

Marshall hired him on the spot, professing Williams was the only alien who auditioned.

Conclusion

The uplifting spirit and soul of Robin Williams lives on in the countless measure of joy that his screen performances continue to bring to the world