The one-year anniversary of Robin Williams’ death was this week, so I decided I would take a moment to explain why I believe he will live on as one of the most influential people to ever come out of Hollywood and into the lives of so many.
Most people will remember Robin Williams from their favorite childhood movies like, "Jumanji" and "Flubber" or TV's "Mork and Mindy." From the very beginning of Williams’ career in the late 1970's and early 1980's, his goal was to make people laugh. If you watch old interviews or late night talk shows with him on as a guest, it’s clear that he had this contagious effect on people.
As Williams became more popular in Hollywood, it became obvious that the people he wanted to make laugh the most, were children. I think if you asked any child who grew up in the 90’s what their top five children’s movies are, they would list at least one Robin Williams movie. Whether it’s his hilarious and touching cross-dressing role as Mrs. Doubtfire or the animated masterpiece with a lovable and caring genie, Williams was one of the most memorable child film stars of our generation.
It seems that Williams picked each of his roles very carefully because he didn’t want to do just any “potty humor” child film. He wanted to be a part of something that taught lessons alongside the comedy. In "Hook," a 40-year-old Peter Pan teaches us that age is just a number and that we should hold onto our inner child. I believe Williams invested so much of his time trying to make children laugh because he saw what the world could do to the young minds of our world. If Patch Adams has taught us anything, it’s that laughter really is the best medicine.
It’s true that Robin Williams will forever be remembered for his roles in some of our childhood favorites, but the Oscar winning actor will also stand the sands of time because of his dramatic acting too. Throughout his life, Williams aspired to leave an impact on the world in ways other than laughter. He took on characters who's roles were to make impressions on the world, like a high school English teacher in the 1989 movie, "Dead Poets Society." He told his students “No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world,” or the overqualified psychologist in the 1997 movie, "Good Will Hunting" that let his patient know, “You’ll have bad times, but it’ll always wake you up to the good stuff you weren’t paying attention to.” Williams brought these characters to life because he believed every word his characters spoke.
The loss of such an incredible human being is truly terrible and it has weighed down on so many of our hearts. Laughter is sometimes a way for people to hide their depression and those who spend their entire lives trying to make others happy are sometimes the saddest people on the inside. Robin Williams dedicated his entire life to other people’s happiness because happiness was something he couldn’t find himself. So, treat every person you come across with kindness and respect because you never really know how they are truly feeling inside. In closing, I say this ... Rest in peace Robin Williams and may your films bring the world happiness forever. O Captain! My Captain!
