In memory of Robin Williams

For a man whose life was riddled with darkness, he so effortlessly brought joy and laughter to millions of people around the world. His comedic genius, knack for impressions, remarkable wit and Oscar-winning talent are just a fraction of the mark that the late Robin McLaurin Williams left upon our lives.

Yesterday, President Obama issued a statement on Williams’ passing: “Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between. But he was one of a kind. He arrived in our lives as an alien – but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit. He made us laugh. He made us cry. He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most – from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalized on our own streets. The Obama family offers our condolences to Robin’s family, his friends, and everyone who found their voice and their verse thanks to Robin Williams.”

In the 1970s and ’80s, Williams combatted drug and alcohol problems. More recently, he shared that he was, once again, struggling with addiction and depression. A set of twinkling blue eyes betrayed the severity of Williams’ personal struggles.

Today, in tribute to a life that ended far too soon, we look back at the many roles Williams played, whether the role for laughter or for tears, always for his audience.

Mrs. Doubtfire – 1993

Aladdin – 1992

Good Will Hunting – 1997

Jumanji – 1995

Jack – 1996 

Dead Poet’s Society – 1989

Good Morning Vietnam – 1987 

The Fisher King – 1991

Hook – 1991

Patch Adams – 1998

Robin Williams – Stand up on Golf

Robin Williams – Holiday tour, Kuwait

“You look at the world and see how scary it can be sometimes and still try to deal with the fear. Comedy can deal with the fear and still not paralyze you or tell you that it’s going away. You say, OK, you got certain choices here, you can laugh at them and then once you’ve laughed at them and you have expunged the demon, now you can deal with them. That’s what I do when I do my act.” – Robin Williams.

 

**With files from The National Post and The Associated Press