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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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29 Mar, 2002

Death to Smoochy

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Williams stars in this darkly comedic take on the children’s television industry, directed by Danny DeVito. Williams, as successful but troubled children’s entertainer Rainbow Randolph, is fired from his television slot after an FBI sting reveals he is taking bribes from parents to place their children at the front of the audience where the cameras can ‘really see them. After being replaced by the squeaky clean Sheldon Mopes, played by Edward Norton, Williams becomes fixated on bringing down Mopes and his children’s character Smoochy the Rhino. Co-starring DeVito, Cathleen Keener and Jon Stewart. On the possibilities that arise from working with DeVito:

Oh, anything. Because he himself is so nasty. He’s a troll without a bridge. He pushes the envelope.

24 May, 2002

Insomnia

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In the crime thriller directed by Christopher Nolan, Williams plays the murderer of a teenage girl in Nightmute, AK, during summertime when there is 24 hours of daylight. Co-starring Al Pacino, Hilary Swank and Martin Donovan. Nolan:

We’d been looking for somebody to play opposite Al who is not only a tremendous actor, but who also has a similar kind of audience identification with his star persona.

13 Sep, 2002

One Hour Photo

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In this thriller, Williams plays Sy Parrish, a lonely photo store clerk who becomes obsessed with a family whose photos he develops. Directed by Mark Romanek, this is one of the few movies starring Williams that do not offer any comic relief. Co-starring Connie Nielsen, Michael Vartan, and Will Smith.

It might be the work is just so precise so as a whole piece, I think it is the best I have done in a long time.

One Hour Photo (trailer)

16 Jan, 2005

Wins Cecil B. DeMille Award

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Williams wins the Cecil B. DeMille award at the 62nd Golden Globe Awards. The award is presented for outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment.

I want to thank the Hollywood foreign press for acknowledging comedy. Normally they look at comedians as very special people.

Robin Williams Receives Cecil B DeMille Award - Golden Globes 2005

28 Apr, 2006

RV

Cheryl HinesFilm Appearance0 Comments

In this comedy directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, Williams plays businessman Bob Monroe, who disguises his business trip to Colorado as a family camping vacation in a huge RV. The family of four suffers both near disasters and humorous adventures as Monroe and his wife Jamie, played by Cherly Hines, make an effort to bond with their kids and get away from another RV family they believe are stalking them. On working with the director and cast:

We had a good time. It’s weird to make a movie that you had so much fun doing, even though it’s tough work. But we still had a good time with good people.

15 Sep, 2006

The Night Listener

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In this thriller, directed by Patrick Stettner, Williams plays Gabriel Noone, a late night radio-host in a big city, specializing in spooky tales culled from his active imagination. Pete is a very ill boy who lives with his former social worker, Donna. Gabriel develops an unsettling long-distance telephone relationship with the boy and his guardian. Nothing is as it seems. Co-starring Tonie Collette and Rory Culkin.

Yeah but it’s only Armistead about 20 per cent, like it’s only Armistead in that there’s somewhat of a southern accent. Armistead is very elegant man, a very articulate man, in San Francisco he is like our second mayor. It’s like the idea of having him and that kind of persona of Armistead and then it’s this other guy. So I wasn’t doing an impression of Armistead. I was just taking a little bit of him for a base.

The Night Listener - Trailer

10 Aug, 2007

License to Wed

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In this comedy, directed by Ken Kwapis, Williams plays Reverend Frank. The Reverend won’t wed Sadie and Ben until they agree to attend his two-week prenuptial course. Now, as their wedding is near, they must attend every one of Reverend Frank’s exhausting classes and complete a series of rigorous homework assignments designed specifically to test their dedication to one another and ensure that their union will have a sound foundation. Co-starring Mandy Moore and John Krasinski.

Just going back to the old days when I was into going to church and remembering that there were–as a Protestant, which is Catholic light–once again the idea of somebody who could really advise and has something to offer. That’s why I think for that it was just remembering those guys that I kind of grew up with in the Episcopal church, which is “There is no purgatory, just spiritual escrow.”

2 Nov, 2007

Man of the Year

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Williams plays Tom Dobbs in this drama, directed by Barry Levinson. Dobbs, during his talk show, makes an offhand comment that he would be a better president than the leader who currently occupies the White House. Afterwards a grass-roots campaign conducted by his many fans finds him unexpectedly ushered into the Oval Office and forced to live up to his promise. Co-starring Laura Linney and Lewis Black.

It’s all about money. And so that’s really the main issue behind it all. As long as we want to play this game, that you’re going to go and raise $250 million to be the President and think this President is going to be free enough to go do what he thinks is correct without maximum amount of influence to all the people he’s beholden to, it’s just not realistic.

Man of the Year Trailer [HQ]

Mar 2009

Heart Surgery

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Williams is forced to cancel the remainder of his one-man show Weapons of Self-Destruction in order to undergo an aortic valve replacement. Williams cancelled several other shows earlier this week after experiencing shortness of breath.

I’m so touched by everyone’s support and well wishes. This tour has been amazing fun and I can’t wait to get back out on the road after a little tune-up.

20 May, 2009

Night at the Museum 2

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In this comedy, directed by Shawn Levy, Williams plays Teddy Roosevelt. Roosevelt is one of the pieces located in the museum which security guard Larry Daley infiltrates,  in order to rescue Jedediah and Octavius, who have been shipped to the museum by mistake. Co-starring Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson and Amy Adams.

This time, not only do creatures and animals come to life, but aircraft and rockets and art works and sculptures and paintings. So everything is on a much bigger and more dramatic scale.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQyrz5V7Vuw

23 Nov, 2009

Letterman Interview

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Williams interviews with Dave on the David Letterman show to promote William’s new movie Old Dogs but ended-up cracking jokes about Sarah Palin, the former Governor of Alaska.

It’s wonderful, I went looking for her book and I found it in the fantasy aisle. With Sarah you get the feeling she was voted least likely to write a book and most likely to burn one. You look at her and wonder ‘Where did they find her, Project Running Mate?’

25 Nov, 2009

Old Dogs

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Williams stars as Dan Rayburn, with John Travolta co-starring as best friend Charlie Reed in the film Old Dogs directed by Walt Becker. The former is a divorced father who suddenly finds himself solely responsible for the care of his twin sons, and the latter is a bachelor. The two friends attempt to close a major business deal while parenting the boys.

I’ve had a lot of people tell me they watched Old Dogs with their kids and had a good time. It paid the bills. Sometimes you have to make a movie to make money. You know they’re going to make it goofy. And that’s OK.

Old Dogs Official Theatrical Trailer

24 Sep, 2010

World’s Greatest Dad

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In this black comedy, directed by Bobcat Goldthwait, Williams plays Lance Clayton. Lance finds his son dead, the apparent victim of auto-erotic asphyxiation gone horribly awry. In order to give the boy some dignity in death, Lance pens a suicide note before summoning the authorities. By doing this he attracts an overwhelming amount of community and media attention. Co-starring Daryl Sabara and Morgan Murphy. Goldthwait:

But it’s human nature. We all know we’re making a movie. We all know he’s acting, but it’s human nature to come over and start trying to elevate a mood. All that shit in the bedroom – everybody f-cking hated it. We couldn’t wait to get out of the bedroom. It was all just nasty, you know, all the scenes in the bedroom are rotten to begin with.

World's Greatest Dad (2009) Official Trailer #1 - Robin Williams Movie HD

20 Sep, 2011

Robin Williams interview

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The Guardian interviews Williams about the death of his friend  Christopher Reeve.

He was a friend. And also knowing him, especially after the accident and everything he went through it was a weird thing. Well, it’s a whole different game. It happens all the time, I know, but I know their kids, they’re amazing, and to see them go through so much loss in one year that’s tough.

Aug 2012

Napa Valley estate for sale

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Robin Williams' Nappa Valley estateWilliams places his Napa Valley estate on the market for $35 million. The estate includes a 24-acre vineyard, 654 acres of land, and a five bedroom mansion among other features.

Sep 2013

Parade interview

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robin-williams-paradeWilliams is interviewed by Parade Magazine about his role in CBS’s The Crazy Ones, his first series since Mork and Mindy 30 years earlier.

It’s fun. I’m having such a blast doing it with Sarah. She’s a sweet woman. And the idea of a father-daughter relationship—since I have a daughter, I’ve done the research on that.

15 Sep, 2013

Decision to return to television

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Williams tells Parade magazine that there are financial considerations behind his decision to return to television. On his role in The Crazy Ones:

The idea of having a steady job is appealing. I have two (other) choices: go on the road doing stand-up, or do small, independent movies working almost for scale … My life has downsized, in a good way. I’m selling the ranch up in Napa. I just can’t afford it anymore.

On how much his divorces have cost him financially:

Well, not all. Lost enough. Divorce is expensive.

26 Sep, 2013

The Crazy Ones

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In this TV series, produced by David E. Kelley, Williams plays Simon Roberts, an executive at a Chicago advertising agency,  who has been married and divorced frequently but genuinely wants to be a part of his daughter’s life to make up for his past. He adds Sydney to the executive partnership after she improves his business. Everyone tends to listen to Simon over Sydney, even though Simon tends to accept risk too willingly while finding solutions for his clients’ issues. Co-starring Sarah Michelle Gellar and James Wolk.

It’s fun. I’m having such a blast doing it with Sarah. She’s a sweet woman. And the idea of a father-daughter relationship — since I have a daughter [Zelda, 24], I’ve done the research on that.