Early in my formative years, when not only could I stomach large portions of talk show TV but would willing go out of my way to watch it, there was always one guest that stood out. Whether as a comedian, a guest or a simple visitor on the show, Robin Williams always found a way to make the most of a moment and leave you enraptured in his madly-spun loony.
There are not a lot of things in life that my dad and I agree on, but we would always find time to watch Robin Williams on TV. If anyone ever saw Williams perform his magic, it’s not hard to see why. Williams is a master at improvisational comedy, performing comedy gold in a matter of seconds that would take some years to even match up to. But Williams talents were always far deeper than that.
In addition to his wonderful stand-up and improvisational comedy abilities, Williams was a phenomenal talent in basically any form of performance: comedy, drama, a weird gambit of the two, thriller, psychological piece, you name it, he could do it. But, what made Williams so wonderfully gifted as an actor was that—like any great performer—he made it look so simple.
He was amazing at performing with himself, but he was just as great working off of others. What made Williams such a great performer was that, while he was massively talented, he never seemed to possess the vanity of most of his fellow stars. Sure, he loved to ad-lib, and he may not have had the most restraint as a comedian, but he always seemed to care about one thing: making people feel entertained. He did whatever it took to make people laugh, cry or simply engage. He had charisma to spare, but he knew when to let his fellow actor shine just as bright. That is, until he became inspired again seconds later.
Williams was great into his later years, but he never truly looked as though he aged. Perhaps that is part of the reason why his unexpected passing hurt so much. But it, of course, goes much deeper than that. For what brought out the best in Williams, beyond his impossibly endless energy, was his ongoing spirit. Williams was never truly secretive about his personal demons, but they always seemed hard to believe. That was, until push came to shove.
It’s hard to imagine what breaks the people that seem the strongest. All there is to know is the pain that these demons leave behind. Williams will be missed for many reasons, but the reason he’ll be missed most of all is that he only reached a portion of his long-driven potential.
There are many unanswered questions at the moment regarding Williams death. That’s why the best course of action is not to look at what caused his final days, but the legacy he built before them. So, with that, let’s look at the best performances that this actor left behind.
Before this list begins, I should make some rather regretful notes. At this day and time, I still have yet to see such films as The Fisher King, What Dreams May Come, Deconstructing Harry, Hook, Hamlet, Awakenings and Cadillac Man, just to name a couple of the big ones. So, if you are wondering why they are not present, that is why.
Also, in addition to the honorable mentions list I will write below, I want to give a very, very big honorable credit to Robin Williams: Live on Broadway. A comedy special that, not only is among my all-time favorites, but remains a key factor in adapting my comedic sensibilities and establishing my future love of stand-up comedy.
Honorable mentions: Robin on “Louie,” Mork on “Mork and Mindy,” Popeye in “Popeye”
10. Genie in “Aladdin”
When it comes to Williams in all of his improvisational glory, its hard to find Williams in his truer, unhinged form than his voice work for Disney’s “Aladdin.” While this is basically 76% Williams spit-balling comedy gold—hence, why I decided to place it at number ten—there is a lot, lot more to this vocal performance than impersonations, voices and Williams behind Williams in animated form. That would come later in the “Happy Feet” movies.
There’s a reason why Williams earned himself a special award from the Golden Globes for his voice-only performance. As the Genie, Williams is not just the heart, but also the soul of the animated movie. He not only makes the genie come to life through belting out soulful show-stopping songs and keeping the jokes at full force, but he sells the dramatic moments just as well, making you care not just for his character, but the title ones and the supporting ones as well. Who, all things considered, are rather thin at times in terms of motivations.
It’s easy to think that this performance is just Williams singing catchy songs and funny voices, but there is a reason why the Genie comes first to mind whenever this movie is mentioned. Because, for better or for worse, Williams carries the films comedy and emotions on his shoulders, while stopping here and there to do an Arnold Schwarzenegger impression or four.
9. Daniel Hillard /Mrs. Doubtfire in “Mrs. Doubtfire”
In—what is essentially—a dual performance for the performer, Williams is able to elevate a fairly simple premise and give his character(s) some fairly deep states-of-mind, at least, for a Chris Columbus comedy. Although there are always usually layers to his performance, either emotionally or physically, he always is able to showcase each individual crest throughout the movie.
Unlike, say, Martin Lawrence in “Big Momma’s House,” even when being brash and loud as the title character, Williams is always sinking in nuances and underlying pathos to his central figure. Daniel’s inability to fully connect to his children as his real self is something that may not always be said in the script, but thanks to Williams, that nuance is always seen and felt. There are more ways that this movie could have failed than succeeded, but, much like the last film, Williams sells the material—whether comedic or dramatic—wholeheartedly. He may be accompanied with a dress and pancaked make-up for most of the running time, but there always a twinkle in his eye to remind you that there is more to the book than his cover. Much like the character him/herself.
8. Garp in “The World According to Garp”
In only his second lead film performance, as the title character, Williams is still able to translate one of his kind-hearted performances in this rather-under seen little darling of a movie. While Glenn Close and John Lithgow would end up being the ones nominated for Academy Awards for the film, Williams understated performances deserves an equal appreciation. More so than most of his lead, or even supporting, performances, Williams is able to exercise both the childish and mature sides of his character personality.
While another movie of his, “Jack,” would also try to cover the same ground, there is a deep-grounded wisdom and heart-tied quality to Garp that could never be possessed in the later Coppola movie. It not only showcases a softer, more lovable side to Williams that wasn’t making a fool of himself all the time of “Mork and Mindy,” but would truly go on to mark Williams transition as a dramatic actor.
7. Adrian Cronauer in “Good Morning, Vietnam”
Much like the Genie, Williams’ performance as the fast-talking, quick-to-entertain Adrian is the actor playing up to his quintessential on-screen personality. But that, of course, does not make the performance any less dynamic or engaging, and only goes to show how there will only be one person like Williams in this lifetime.
Portraying a true-life persona, this is essentially perfect casting for the part. It lets Williams flex his naturally-gifted comedic talents in the radio segments, while also giving him time to breath and live in the dramatic segments off-the-air. It’s the perfect combination that, while not his greatest performance, is definitely one that is hard to resist, and easily among the actor’s most memorable and commanding performances.
6. Walter Finch in “Insomnia”
Easily the smallest performance on this list, Williams chilling performance in this fairly forgotten Christopher Nolan-helmed remake offers the actor the chance to truly showcase his range in not just drama, but the thriller/horror genre. At this point, Williams already established his knack for portraying troubled, but caring, souls. But this was truly the film that allowed Williams to play up the other side of the coin, to truly masterful results.
It’s not a necessarily enjoyable performance to watch, but it is certainly a captivating one. Filled with bristled angst that never feels overdone or overplayed, and seeped in mystery that crawls more and more up the skin as it goes along, it’s an almost ungrateful experience to watch. But that ‘s the point, as Williams needed to make the audience under the logic behind the madness. Well, he sure did it, and then some.
5. Seymour Parrish in “One Hour Photo”
Continuing on the same trend, Williams gave an equally dispelling thriller performance the same year as “Insomnia” in this dawn-colored psychological horror movie. What could essentially have been a run-of-the-mill “more than they appear” character film is heightened by the subtle characterization that Williams hides behind the characters dyed hair and overly large glasses. It’s a performance that, if overwrought in just the slightest, would have gone completely down the gutter, but never even remotely reaches that possibility.
For an actor so well-known for his over-the-top antics, it’s shocking at times just how quiet of a character Seymour can be, both emotionally and in terms of body mannerisms. It’s easily one of Williams most thoughtful performances, but as the movie progresses, it always becomes his most haunting and unforgiving.
4. Lance in “World’s Greatest Dad”
Although modern dark comedies don’t get as fierce as “World’s Greatest Dad” these days, it’s surprising just how soft of a performance Williams gives his as the emotionally divided Lance. Although the actor dipped his toes in dark comedy before, to extremely disappointing results, in “Death to Smoochy,” this comedy/drama is able to propel itself so well by balancing Lance’s dark thoughts and surroundings with his sweet-hearted aspirations.
Beyond its sharp writing and thigh-poking commentary, what makes this movie so successful is just how likable of a character Lance ends up becoming, despite having every reason not to be. He does such terrible things, but the sympathy that Williams brings out the sweet-heart that is Lance, the man who seems to lose and gain so much in just a mere couple days. It’s definitely not his most showy performance — comically or dramatically. But there are few performances from Williams that stick out as well as this one.
3. Armand Goldman in “The Birdcage”
When it comes to seeing all of Williams talents wrapped up together in a neatly bowed package, one should not look too much farther than his portrayal as Armand Goldman in “The Birdcage.” As a gay middle-aged man forced to become everything he is not to bring what happiness he can bring to his boyfriend and his family, Williams brings out the subtle and loud comedy styles he is known for in equal doses.
But when Williams needs to bring heart to the table, or sell a dramatic moment, he never flinches. Rather, his performance here holds more bravura than most Williams’ performances, if just because he is able to work with familiar and alien material at the same time. Williams almost always brings out his gay man inspiration in his stand-up, but Armand is not just some thinly conceived stereotype. In fact, thanks to Williams, he is among the deepest and warm-hugged romantic comedy leads to come on the screen in some time.
2. John Keating in “Dead Poets Society”
Had the role of John Keating been given to many actors other than Williams, he would have probably been just a TV-movie-esque teacher/role model who, through all odds, makes the students believe in themselves and their potential. But Williams makes the pathos earned instead of forced, because he grounds his character to his essentials while also letting it grow within each possible moment. The talk of the twinkle in Robin’s eyes in many of these performances has been well-talked about by this point. But, that said, it’s hard to process when this sincerity is more justly and deeply earned in any of his movies.
For, while the movie constantly tells the audience how great John is, it’s ultimately up to Williams to make them believe it. But what is so special about his performance is that, he doesn’t just make you believe as the movie progresses, he always makes you know it. Through a warm smile, a well-controlled dose of energy and the carried aspirations of Williams’ desires to please, John becomes as lovable and betaking as a character as he could ever be.
1. Sean Maguire in “Good Will Hunting”
While, normally, the performance an actor ultimately takes the Oscar for is not the one that—I feel—is their greatest achievement, this is a rare exception. For, through his most vulnerable and heartbroken performance, Williams shines here like no other time before. This was the performance that best brought out Williams insecurities, his inner-feelings of failure and his desire to excel—which may have been his downfall—into his most controlled and steering performance.
It’s as thoughtful as any dramatic performance from the actor, but there’s more to it that makes it his true best. It’s also the performance that drives home just how shockingly lost Williams can be, while also seeming to in control. It was the performance that took all of Williams inner fails and made him his greatest strengths. And there is no greater glory than that. Despite his Oscar for it, there is no real idea if this will truly be the performance that Williams is remembered for. But it is definitely the one to remember on this dark day in entertainment.
