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29 March 2024

Life and times of Oscar winner Robin Williams: Tributes pour in

(FILES) - A file picture taken on November 15, 2005 shows US actor Robin Williams posing during a photocall of "The Big White" directed by Mark Mylod, in Rome. (AFP)

Published
By AFP

Robin Williams, the Oscar-winning US actor and comedian known worldwide for roles that ranged from a cross-dressing dad in "Mrs. Doubtfire" to a New England prep-school teacher in "Dead Poets Society," was found dead Monday at age 63.

Williams came to fame on the small screen but quickly worked his way into a number of iconic movie roles, in a career that spanned decades and endeared him to multiple generations.
Here are some of his most notable roles and awards.

(FILES) This file photo taken on September 4, 1988 shows US actor Robin Williams at a press conference for his film "Good Morning Vietnam" at the Festival de Cinéma Américain in Deauville. (AFP)

"Dead Poets Society" (1989, as John Keating)
Williams was nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe for his performance as an inspirational New England prep-school teacher with a love for poetry. The movie was nominated for an Oscar for best picture and won for best screenplay writing.

"Mrs. Doubtfire" (1993, as Mrs Doubtfire)
In one of his most iconic roles, Williams transformed into the elderly Mrs Euphegenia Doubtfire, earning a Golden Globe, an American Comedy Award, Kids' Choice Award and an MTV Movie Award. Williams had been cast to star in a sequel to the mega '90s hit.

(FILES) This file photo taken on December 22, 1998 shows US Academy Award-winning actor Robin Williams (L) posing with family members Cody (C), Zelda (R) and wife Marsha (back R) during Williams' hand and footprint ceremony outside the Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California. (AFP)

"Good Morning, Vietnam" (1987, as Adrian Cronauer)
Williams' performance as a DJ for the US Armed Services in Vietnam, a role that was carried by the actor's personality, saw him nominated for an Academy Award and win a Golden Globe.

"Patch Adams" (1998, as Patch Adams)
For his role playing the title role -- a medical student who decides the best medicine for his patients is humor -- Williams was nominated for a Golden Globe and American Comedy Award.

"The Fisher King" (1991, as Parry)
The comedy-drama starring Williams as a homeless man traumatised by the loss of his wife and beset with Arthurian hallucinations, saw the comedian nominated for an Academy Award and win a Golden Globe.

(FILES) This file photo taken on March 23, 1998 shows US actor Robin Williams, winner for Best Supporting Actor in "Good Will Hunting", posing for photographers with the Oscar at the 70th Annual Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. (AFP)

"Good Will Hunting" (1997, as Sean Maguire)
In his role as psychologist to a genius mathematician janitor played by Matt Damon, Williams won his sole Oscar -- for best actor in a supporting role. The movie also won Damon and Ben Affleck an Oscar for best screenplay writing.

- Children's films -

"Aladdin" (1992, as the voice of Genie)
Endearing himself to children worldwide, Williams was the voice behind zany Genie in the Disney animated classic, singing the movie's iconic "Friend Like Me." The cartoon won an Oscar for best original song and best original score, while Williams won a special Golden Globe award for his vocal work.

(FILES) This file photo taken on October 4, 2006 shows US actor Robin Williams (L) and wife Marsha Garces Williams arriving for the premiere of Universal Pictures "Man of the Year" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles, California. (AFP)

"Jumanji" (1995, as Alan Parrish)
Starring in a kids' romp about a board game that comes to life -- and the man who had been trapped inside it for years -- Williams once again endeared himself to a generation of children, starring alongside a young and relatively unknown Kirsten Dunst.

Comedian Robin Williams reacts after receiving the Stand Up Icon Award during the second annual 2012 Comedy Awards in New York in this April 28, 2012 file photo. (REUTERS)

- Television -

"Mork & Mindy" (1978-1982, as Mork from Ork)
In the first role catapult him into the national spotlight, Williams starred as an outrageous space alien who landed on Earth and lived alongside a human woman played by Pam Dawber. The sitcom earned him a Golden Globe for best TV actor in 1979 and an Emmy nomination the same year. The sitcom was a spinoff from the series "Happy Days."

"The Crazy Ones" (2013-2014, as Simon Roberts)
In one of his most recent roles, Williams plays an eccentric boss at an ad firm with his daughter, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar.

(FILES) This file photo taken on March 23, 1998 shows Oscar winners Kim Basinger (L), Best Supporting Actress; Robin Williams (2nd L), Best Supporting Actor; Helen Hunt (2nd R), Best Actress and Jack Nicholson, Best Actor, posting at the 70th Annual Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. (AFP)

Robin Williams tributes:

Tributes to Robin Williams after the actor's death from suspected suicide on Monday:

"Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between. But he was one of a kind. "He made us laugh. He made us cry. He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most" - US President Barack Obama

FILE: Actor and comedian Robin Williams prepares to present the award for best animated feature at the 77th Academy Awards in Hollywood, in this file picture taken February 27, 2005. (REUTERS)

"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" - Hollywood director Steven Spielberg

"I can't believe the news about Robin Williams. He gave so much to so many people. I'm heartbroken" - comedienne Ellen DeGeneres

"Robin Williams made the world laugh & think. I will remember & honor that. A great man, artist and friend. I will miss him beyond measure" - actor Kevin Spacey

 

"I could not be more stunned by the loss of Robin Williams, mensch, great talent, acting partner, genuine soul" - actor and comic Steve Martin

"Absolutely stunned to hear the news about Robin Williams. It's unimaginable to me that we've lost such a genuinely funny and sweet man" - talk-show host Conan O'Brien

"I can't believe my lovely friend is gone. My heart goes out to his wife and his beloved children. He brought us so much joy and laughter" - Monty Python stalwart Eric Idle

"No! Robin Williams you were so loved" - actress Mia Farrow

"RIP Robin. I will always remember you as one hell of a friend. I love you and will miss you terribly" - disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong

"A tweet cannot begin to describe the hugeness of Robin Williams (sic) heart and soul and talent. This is so sad" - actor/director Ben Stiller

"Heartbroken" - Danny DeVito

"Robin Williams made the world a little bit better. RIP." - actor Steve Carell

FILE: Actor-comedian Robin Williams reacts to a question from a member of the audience during Google co-founder Larry Page's keynote speech at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada in this file picture taken January 6, 2006. (Reuters)