It is likely that anyone who was a child in the 1990s has had Robin Williams as a nanny at some point. Whether he was disguised as a lovable old British lady or was escaping wildlife in the hallway of his house, the comedian left his mark on generations in his role as one of the most important actors in family films.
The actor died in California at age 63. By now, almost everyone knows the alleged cause of death, but this In Memoriam will set them aside to remember all the times that Robin Williams made us laugh out loud. All the times he engaged our emotions. His whole legacy of film, which now has been orphaned, and which has taken away a little piece of childhood for many of us. His characters are already part of the history of the big screen. These are some of the most important.
Popeye ('Popeye', 1980)
His first role on the big screen was no less than that of the celebrated star of comic strips and animated shorts. The film about a sailor who was addicted to spinach was criticized for being unrealistic, but Williams gained recognition for his work as the famous character.
Garp ('The World According to Garp', 1982)
After 'Popeye', the actor starred in 'The World According to Garp', an adaptation of John Irving's novel in which he was placed in the shoes of a writer raised only by his mother, who wanted a child but not a husband. This was a film with a strong feminist message that generated Oscar nominations for Glenn Close and John Lithgow.
Adrian Cronauer ('Good Morning, Vietnam', 1987)
One of his first major roles, the actor took us to the Vietnam war in 'Good morning, Vietnam' where we got to know an irreverent DJ whose mission was to encourage American troops. But gradually he discovered the harsh reality of war. His cry of "Good morning, Vietnam!" was one of the first catch phrases of the actor who would go down in history.
John Keating ('Dead Poets Society', 1989)
This teacher starred in one of the most memorable films of his career, 'Dead Poets Society'. He inspired his students to stand up on their desks and shout out "Oh captain, my captain" and fight against the status quo. An inspiring film and one of Williams' most moving moments.
Dr. Malcolm Sayer ('Awakenings', 1990)
Robin Williams got doctor's coat long before 'Patch Adams'. He treated patients in a catatonic state in 'Awakenings', in which he shared the limelight with the great Robert De Niro.
Parry ('The Fisher King', 1991)
Robin Williams was placed under the command of Terry Gilliam in 'The Fisher King' to become a wanderer who goes around saying that he is a gentleman looking for the Holy Grail. Jeff Bridges tries to help him, feeling guilty for everything bad that has happened to him. One of the most interesting moments of the actor's career.
Peter Banning ('Hook', 1991)
Perhaps the most curious Peter Pan ever seen on film. Steven Spielberg surrounded himself with stars in 'Hook', which tells how the storybook character returns to Neverland as an adult, once again to confront Captain Hook, played by Dustin Hoffman.
The Genie ('Aladdin', 1992)
In the original version of the Disney classic 'Aladdin', Robin Williams gave his voice to the man who spent his life waiting in a light for his next master. A great supporting character, with many of the charismatic actor's best moments. As he sang, we've "never had a friend like" him.
Efigenia Doubtfire ('Mrs. Doubtfire', 1993)
You don't get to call yourself a proper comic until you've disguised yourself as a woman, Robin Williams didn't just create any old woman. Efigenia Doubtfire won our hearts with hilarious phrases like "my first day as a woman and I'm getting hot flashes." Without doubt, 'Mrs. Doubtfire' is one of his best characters. After his sudden death, we assume that a sequel has been ruled out.
Alan Parrish ('Jumanji', 1995)
Before our eyes we saw how a child became a full-fledged Robin Williams, after getting away from the curse of a board game. In this hugely entertaining film, the actor faced a hunter, rhinos, monkeys, elephants and an array of wild animals. Let's be honest, we all wanted to play a game of 'Jumanji', however risky it was.
Armand Goldman ('The Birdcage', 1996)
Robin Williams dabbled with the other side in 'The Birdcage', in which he was in a relationship with Nathan Lane, but had to impersonate a heterosexual family so that Williams' son (the slips of youth) could convince a tremendously conservative senator that he was worthy of his daughter's hand.
Jack Powell ('Jack', 1996)
Francis Ford Coppola directed Williams as a big boy named 'Jack', who, due to an illness, seemed to be forty when he should have been a boy. A fairly typical comedy film, but with the endearing touch for which the actor was known.
Professor Phillip Brainard ('Flubber', 1997)
Although he had to fight for attention with a fun green mucus in 'Flubber', it showed that the actor was in a class of his own when it came to starring in family films. One of those films that was a huge hit at the time.
Sean Maguire ('Good Will Hunting', 1997)
Then came the Oscar. The actor did not lose one iota of charisma in one of the dramatic roles that peppered a filmography dedicated to comedy. In 'Good Will Hunting' he tried to make the best of a guy with huge potential but caught up in bad company, played by Matt Damon.
Chris Nielsen ('What Dreams May Come', 1998)
Maybe too undervalued, Robin Williams turns in a moving performance in this heaven, which won an Oscar for special effects, where a man waits for his wife after his death, and who will fight for love when his world is spinning around him. 'What Dreams May Come' is well worth checking out.
Patch Adams ('Patch Adams', 1998)
Laughter can be the best medicine for many diseases, and the best film to demonstrate it is the Tom Shadyac comedy titled 'Patch Adams'. Seeing the actor dressed as a doctor with a red nose is an image which will never fade.
Andrew Martin ('Bicentennial Man', 1999)
The actor also found his place in science fiction with 'Bicentennial Man'. In this instance, he takes instructions from Chris Columbus to become an android who, little by little, becomes more human. Who better to give humanity to a robot?
Sy Parrish ('One Hour Photo', 2002)
The character in 'One Hour Photo' is one of the darkest in his films. The actor goes to work in a one-hour-photo counter and channels his loneliness into a family that he knows only through the photographs he develops.
Walter Finch ('Insomnia', 2002)
Thanks to Christopher Nolan, the actor could further explore the darker side of his films with 'Insomnia', this time as a writer of detective novels. A great supporting character for the film starring Al Pacino.
Teddy Roosevelt (Trilogy 'Night at the Museum', 2006)
At Christmas we will see the actor in one of his last roles, when the third instalment of the 'Night at the Museum' trilogy is released. Ben Stiller meets a replica of President Roosevelt, while working nights as a security guard in a museum. Although he moved from being a leading actor to being a supporting actor, Robin Williams continued conquering children and adults until the last moment and has said his goodbye in the best way possible: with a family film.
