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Robin Williams

Robin Williams150 posts

Robin Williams was an American actor and comedian born in 1951 in Chicago, Illinois. Williams originally became popular for his portrayal of the alien Mork in the TV comedy Mork & Mindy. He also became an established stand-up comedian an film actor as well. Some of his most highly acclaimed work came in movies such as Good Will Hunting, Dead Poets Society, The Fisher King, Awakenings, The Birdcage, and Good Morning, Vietnam. Some of the accolades he earned throughout his career include an Academy Award, two Emmy Awards, two Screen Actors Guilds Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, and five Grammy Awards. Williams was married to Valerie Velardi and had three children. In 2014, Williams died at the age of 63 after being found unconscious at his home in Tiburon, California.

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12 Aug, 2014

‘No words strong enough’

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robin-cody-williamsWilliams’s youngest son, Cody, shares his feelings on the loss of his father:

There are no words strong enough to describe the love and respect I have for my father. The world will never be the same without him. I will miss him and take him with me everywhere I go for the rest of my life, and will look forward, forever, to the moment when I get to see him again.

‘Brilliant human being’

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Bridges reacts to the news of Williams’s death, which he received on premiere night for The Giver at Manhattan’s Zigfield Theater:

(Tonight is) wonderful, but like many elements in life, there is an underside, losing a dear, dear friend, Robin Williams. Such a brilliant human being. Gosh, I know we all miss him, and my heart goes out to his family.

On his role in the film, based on Lois Lowry’s dystopian novel about a future where human feelings no longer exist:

I’m filled with such mixed emotions tonight. I’m playing the Giver, I’m supposed to withhold all these emotions in the story you’re about to see, and it’s very difficult for me to be here holding the emotions I’m feeling tonight.

‘He made my dreams come true’

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Affleck thanks Williams for his friendship and his role in Goodwill Hunting, which won Affleck and Matt Damon the Academy Award for Best Writing and launched their film careers:

Heartbroken. Thanks chief—for your friendship and for what you gave the world. Robin had a ton of love in him. He personally did so much for so many people. He made Matt and my dreams come true.

What do you owe a guy who does that? Everything.

May you find peace my friend. #RobinWilliams

‘True genius’

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Lopez posts a tribute to her Jackco-star on Instagram:

Sad, sad, day… My condolences to Robin’s family & friends. He brought light to every room he entered & was a true comedic genius. The world will miss you, Robin! #RIPRW

‘Lightning storm of comic genius’

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hook-williamsSpielberg praises the actor he directed in the lead role of Peter Pan in Hook for his intense comedic performances:

Robin was a lightning storm of comic genius and our laughter was the thunder that sustained him. He was a pal and I can’t believe he’s gone.

‘Incredible, delicate, funny, dramatic human being’

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robin-williams-henry-winklerWinkler describes how he saw Williams before his loss:

This incredible, delicate, funny, dramatic human being is gone.

His reaction to Williams’s performances:

My only job was to keep a straight face and it was impossible because no matter that you said to him – no matter what line you gave to him, he took it in, processed it and then it flew out of his mouth, never the same way twice… You knew, Oh boy, you’re witnessing the beginning of something unbelievably special. He was electric — electrifying – and he was like, that no matter what he did, all the time…No matter what he did,  he was that…It was just an amazing thing to witness.

13 Aug, 2014

Emmy Award tribute

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The 66th Emmy Awards will pay tribute to Williams. Producer Don Mischer is still planning the tribute to make it meaningful. Mischer:

It’s about what can we do to properly remember Robin and create perhaps an emotional moment about Robin, knowing all that he did for all of us who love entertainment and love comedy.

Genie In The Stars

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Disney releases artwork titled Genie in the Stars paying tribute to Williams, created by Genie at Disney supervising animator Eric Goldberg. CEO Robert Iger:

We’re deeply saddened by the loss of Robin Williams, a wonderfully gifted man who touched our hearts and never failed to make us laugh. An incredible actor and a comedic genius, Robin will always be remembered for bringing some of the world’s favorite characters to life, from his zany alien on ABC’s Mork & Mindy to the irascible genie in Disney’s Aladdin. “He was a true Disney Legend, a beloved member of our family, and he will be sorely missed. We join Robin’s friends and fans everywhere in mourning, and offer our thoughts and condolences to his family during this difficult time.

Walk of Fame tribute

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Fans pack Williams’ Walk of Fame star in Hollywood, placing flowers, drawings and letters in tribute to his life. Iraq veteran Chris Mulrooney, who met Williams while on tour in Iraq:

He brought joy to me when I was most depressed … I wish we could have been there for him when he needed love and support.

28 Aug, 2014

Emmy tribute criticism

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williams-iran-gagSome viewers criticize the Emmys tribute to Williams for including a clip of a joke about an Iranian woman that they consider racist. In the gag, Williams covers his face to simulate an Islamic headscarf, and says:

I would like to welcome you to Iran… Help me!