The Flickering Myth writing staff pay their respects to Robin Williams…
Following the tragic news yesterday, the Flickering Myth writing staff remeber one of the greatest comedic performers of our generation…
Matt Spencer-Skeen: True comic genius, who transcended generations and ages. Will be missed sorely.
Vilordsutch: This man has been with me since I discovered his manic and quick-witted comedy, as a very small child, with Mork and Mindy and I’ve stayed with him (through his career) ever since. Such a sad thing knowing his mental state had given him this only option. My thoughts are with his family.
Oliver Davis: For some reason I’m pining most for Jack, Patch Adams and Bicentennial Man today. Although not his critically lauded works, worn-out VHS copy scenes keep playing in my mind’s eye. I watched all three when I was in my very early teens and each made me weep heartily. At that age, doing that ain’t cool. But I did, and frequently. It’s a testament to the man’s craft; how he could lure you in with wacky voices and crazed facials, then reveal a hidden sucker-punch of profound humanity. A deep shame.
Vilordsutch: Oli – If you don’t cry at Bicentennial Man then you’re not human.
Ozzy Armstrong: If you watch Good Will Hunting again, pay attention to his eyes. In them you can see the whole range of human emotion. Whether it’s a cheeky twinkle as he tells a joke, the ferocity as he defends his wifes memory or the sadness that’s so visible when he’s quiet, his eyes tell most of the story and make you truly care for his character. Coupled with his physicality, it truly is a defining role in a distinguished career.
It’s not just Good Will Hunting where his emotional performance resonates though. From Mrs Doubtfire to The Fisher King, almost every role of his is a perfect blend of energy, humour and pathos that can be treasured. In short, Robin Williams is an actor everyone should admire and his passing is truly one of the saddest losses of recent years.
Paul Risker: “The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living.” (Marcus Tullius Cicero).
From the stand-up stage, the big screen to the small screen… From comic to sinister turns… Robin Williams was one of those individuals who not only appreciated, but pursued the broadening of his horizons. It was a pursuit that endeared him to so many, and afforded him immortality. One can only feel deeply saddened that the final chapter in his life journey has come far too soon. Adding to the devastating loss of Philip Seymour Hoffman, the finest actor of a generation and maestro Alain Resnais earlier this year, 2014 has seen the fall of some of our finest comrades.
Robert W Monk: Mork and Mindy + Good Morning Vietnam show off the hyperactive inventiveness of Williams in very different genres and environments. Both made strong impressions on me.
Helen Murdoch: Robin Williams was one of those rare actors that could have you in stitches, could terrify you and make you cry. I remember so clearly as a kid watching Hook and Mrs Doubtfire on repeat until the tape wore down. As I got older I saw One Hour Photo and Insomnia and it just showed how diverse an actor he was. A tragedy to lose him in this way but unfortunately not surprising.
Alice Rush: He was one of the few actors that have touched the lives of people over various generations. From watching Hook when I was younger to realising the beauty of Dead Poets Society when I was older, I (and I’m sure thousands of others) feel like I’ve grown up with him a part of the family. His energy and passion fell through the screen and inspired so many people, and not to mention he was a phenomenal actor who could convey so much with so little. He’s a true genius and I’m sure he will never be forgotten.
J-P Wooding: A lot of actors are singled out for a particular role throughout their careers; “Did you see him/her in” etc. With Robin Williams it was many, hence fans love for several films. Good Will Hunting… Mrs. Doubtfire.. TheFisher King etc. Very few actors ever achieve this standard. A real shame it ended this way, but we must enjoy what a myriad of talent he displayed.
Luke Owen: I have never met Robin Williams, but I cried when I heard the news. He was a firm fixture of comedy in my youth and he won’t be forgotten. Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji, the list goes on. Good Will Hunting is one of my all-time favourite performances and it’s down to his exceptional talent. Rest in peace good sir.
Steven K. Leadbetter: Few people can claim to be a constant source of comfort and joy to countless others they rarely even know and touch those lives in such a way they can never truly appreciate. Robin Williams was one such individual that, whilst not able to escape his inner demons, was outwardly a beacon of happiness to everyone that he addressed on screen or in person. I have read countless personal stories of his unquantifiable spirit and an effortless generosity with his humour and friendship. Not knowing him as anything other than a continued and devoted fan of his work since his days as Mork up to The Angriest Man In Brooklyn and everything in between, he still stands alone as the only human being that physically made me laugh myself out of my chair. It is a devastating loss for everyone who loves to smile, a tragedy for his family, who must be beside themselves. He felt like a family member, such was his longevity, tireless work ethic and genuine warmth. I will miss him horribly.
Sadé Green: Some of my earliest memory of film, and a big reason for my love of film, was sitting and watching his movies with my brother and sister. Not to mention the repeats of Mork and Mindy we used to watch at the weekend on Channel 4. Robin Williams has always been one of my favourite people to watch on screen – his vitality and energy that he brought to any role was always inspirational, so much so that I can’t even single out a film to rave about. I was only wondering on Sunday about how his new TV show was doing and when it would be shown in the UK. This is a true tragedy and the world is now a little bit less funny – right when we could really use a bit of funny in our lives.
Amy Richau: I was lucky enough to see Dead Poets Society when I was in High School (yes I am that old) and Good Will Hunting when I was in college. Robin Williams in those two movies made sense when little else did and inspired me to embrace life (which is such a tragic thing to write at this time). Both films are required viewing for my kids when they get older.
On a side note I live right outside Boulder and feel like I might need to swing by the Mork and Mindy house – somehow I never knew that was a local thing. And I’m a huge Denver Broncos fan and never say the footage of Mork as a Denver Broncos cheerleader until last night.
Mike P Williams: My first memory of Robin Williams was seeing him on the big screen in Mrs Doubtfire, but Jumanji was the one I took a shine to as a kid that I went back to numerous times after receiving it on VHS one Christmas circa 1996. Williams’ eclectic career spanned the decades and, impressively, stood the test of time, too, as he tackled serious and funny roles alike. Highlights for me include Good Will Hunting, One Hour Photo, Insomnia and, of course, Disney’s Aladdin. Arguably one of the most engaging, sincere and memorable film personalities of the past 25 years. His battle with depression and the manner of his passing makes it all the more heartbreaking.
Martin Carr: Grew up on Mork and Mindy… own Live at the Met 86′ and a smaller stand up recording from maybe 82-83’….Have Dead Poets and rare region 2 copy of The World According To Garp… this film amongst others made me want to write… felt a similar loss when John Peel passed away… Alongside Richard Pryor, George Carlin and Bill Hicks, Robin Williams ranks amongst the masters of his craft…
Tom Powter: A truly talented and gifted comedian, who simply had a knowledge of what it means to make people laugh. Today, Aladdin remains one of my favourite Disney films and it owes an enormous part of that to Williams’ performance as the Genie. He will be sorely missed.
Jake Peffer: Robin Williams was an actor that I grew up with from when I was young to still enjoying him now. From comedy to drama to animation the man was able to do what many other actors couldn’t. No matter the movie he was in his performances always felt genuine, even in some of his lesser movies. It’s a sad thing to see such a talented person leave this world, especially one who provided us with so much entertainment for many years. Rest in peace Mr. Williams, you were a truly great artist and a wonderful person to watch for many years.
Scott J Davis: When I first heard the news, I was devastated, flabbergasted that it was even true. Then I raced upstairs to tell my housemate, who were just as shocked. Was deeply saddened and genuinely upset, but managed to keep it together until riding home on the tube. Reading the tweets and messages from so many in Hollywood, I shed a tear on the train. It truly is a sad day, and a sad day for me personally. Like Luke, I didn’t know him, but he touched my life in many ways, through humour and his acting gifts, and he was one of four comedy legends that hold a special place in my heart.
RIP Euphegenia, I will miss you dearly….
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