Today would have been Robin Williams' 64th birthday. He was, by far, my favorite comedian ever. That encompasses a large body of work; his introduction to mainstream America on ABC's Happy Days, followed by a successful spin-off with Pam Dawber on Mork and Mindy; his stand-up career; and his advance into the film industry.Robin was one of the first real comedic influences in my life, the others being Allan Sherman, the Monty Python's Flying Circus comedy troupe, and the Saturday Night Live Not Ready For Prime Time Players. Yeah, there was Steve Martin and a slew of other amazing comedic talent out there. But these were the "big four" of the late 1970s, my junior high and high school formative years. And being young and impressionable, I immediately gravitated to Williams.
While my initial introduction to him was through his guest appearance on Happy Days, I was truly introduced to Robin through his starring role on Mork and Mindy in the late 1970s. Part of what attracted me to him as a performer was his amazing comedic ability; part of it was also the Detroit representation (both he and Dawber spent part of their formative years living in suburban Detroit, so there was a definite connection there). It was goofy, silly, and family friendly humor, and was a weekly staple of my childhood.
One of the first albums (rock or otherwise) I ever bought was Robin's "Reality ... What a Concept!" which was released at the height of his Mork and Mindy fame in 1979. I think I had the album memorized within three days, and quoted it endlessly with my friend Tim Olson. It was definitely raunchier than the sanitized ABC sitcom, and looking back at my 15-year-old self, I didn't understand many (read: most) of the jokes, drug references, and sexual innuendo Robin tossed at his audience from the stage. I was totally entranced by the speed of his commentary, the variety of voices and languages, the sharp wit that permeated the entire performance (improvisational Shakespeare!?!?!). I was in 10th grade when the album came out, and teamed up with a fellow Bloomfield Hills Lahser student, a junior by the name of Hugh Goldsmith (we were in a history class together) to do the album's Mr. Roger's Neighborhood sketch (which starts at the 8:00 mark of the album below).
We all know the film successes that followed in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Popeye. The World According to Garp. Good Morning, Vietnam. Awakenings. The Fisher King. Moscow on the Hudson. Good Will Hunting. Aladdin. Mrs. Doubtfire. The Birdcage. So many amazing roles. So many breathtaking performances. He transitioned from comedy to dramatic, and managed to do so effectively. It wasn't always easy; there were a few duds along the way (Bicentennial Man, for example) or extremely dark comedies (I'm looking at you, Death to Smoochy). And, of course his work with Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal to found Comic Relief USA, an annual HBO television benefit devoted to the homeless, which has raised $80 million between its start-up in 1986 and 2014.
He was a man among men.
Last August, Robin committed suicide - a stunning realization about a man who many saw as one of the funniest people in the world. It was revealed following his death that Williams had been suffering from severe depression, and had been sleeping in a different room from his wife due to restlessness and anxiety caused by early stages of Parkinson's Disease. Numerous individuals, famous and not, paid tribute to the comedic genius that was Robin Williams, and continue to remember him for his abilities, his friendships, and his philanthropy. Suicide prevention groups quickly reminded individuals that, if they felt they needed help, to call for help - for example, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline [1-800-273-TALK (8255)].
My favorite Robin Williams movie is Dead Poets Society, which forces us to look at life from a different angle and do what you believe is right, even in the face of adversity. It embraces passion, youthful idealism, and romanticism. It focuses on relationships and what makes relationships true and good. It's about finding a voice and sounding barbaric yawps over the rooftops of the world, I am important! I am an individual! I am somebody! As his character, John Keating, proclaimed to his class, "The longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all. Thoreau said, 'Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.' Don't be resigned to that. Break out!"
So may we learn. So may we live.
Seize the day.
We all know the film successes that followed in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Popeye. The World According to Garp. Good Morning, Vietnam. Awakenings. The Fisher King. Moscow on the Hudson. Good Will Hunting. Aladdin. Mrs. Doubtfire. The Birdcage. So many amazing roles. So many breathtaking performances. He transitioned from comedy to dramatic, and managed to do so effectively. It wasn't always easy; there were a few duds along the way (Bicentennial Man, for example) or extremely dark comedies (I'm looking at you, Death to Smoochy). And, of course his work with Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal to found Comic Relief USA, an annual HBO television benefit devoted to the homeless, which has raised $80 million between its start-up in 1986 and 2014.
He was a man among men.
Last August, Robin committed suicide - a stunning realization about a man who many saw as one of the funniest people in the world. It was revealed following his death that Williams had been suffering from severe depression, and had been sleeping in a different room from his wife due to restlessness and anxiety caused by early stages of Parkinson's Disease. Numerous individuals, famous and not, paid tribute to the comedic genius that was Robin Williams, and continue to remember him for his abilities, his friendships, and his philanthropy. Suicide prevention groups quickly reminded individuals that, if they felt they needed help, to call for help - for example, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline [1-800-273-TALK (8255)].
My favorite Robin Williams movie is Dead Poets Society, which forces us to look at life from a different angle and do what you believe is right, even in the face of adversity. It embraces passion, youthful idealism, and romanticism. It focuses on relationships and what makes relationships true and good. It's about finding a voice and sounding barbaric yawps over the rooftops of the world, I am important! I am an individual! I am somebody! As his character, John Keating, proclaimed to his class, "The longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all. Thoreau said, 'Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.' Don't be resigned to that. Break out!"
So may we learn. So may we live.
Seize the day.
THE FINE FIVE - ROBIN WILLIAMS EDITION (FOUR LESS KNOWN MOMENTS, AND A BEST OF COLLECTION):
(1) Robin Williams as Mime Jerry, a mine instructor who works with an on-the-lam Bobcat Goldthwait in Shakes the Clown:
(2) His appearance in Whose Line Is It Anyway? was magical; here he is working with the gang on the segment "Scenes from a Hat":
(3) Robin appeared on We Are Most Amused in 2008, where - after being introduced by John Cleese - goes full-throttle political with his own comedic twist:
(4) His performance of King of the Moon (OK, King of Everything) in The Adventures of Baron Munchausen was over the top (in more ways than one):
(5) Ten amazing movie moments; how many have you seen?
CAMPAIGN 2016 NEWS OF THE DAY:
From Slate: "Did Donald Trump Really Get the “Biggest Ovation” in Iowa? No, and It Wasn’t Even Close" - I was told there would be no math.
FACEPALM NEWS OF THE DAY:
From NPR: "Winner Of French Scrabble Title Does Not Speak French" - Fries. Dressing. Bread. Kiss. Toast. And to drink - ta da! - Peru!
FLORIDA NEWS OF THE DAY:
From The Washington Post: "Police: Gunshot victim dropped off at Florida Wal-Mart" - Low, low prices on medical care.
WEIRD NEWS OF THE DAY:
From The Plymouth Herald: "Startled horse smashes up young driver's first car, rider disappears" - Pinto? Mustang? Not Ram tough, that's for sure.
SPORTS NEWS OF THE DAY:
From Deadspin: "There's A Not-So-Hidden Message In The ACC Football Media Guide" - Nope, nothing to see here. Move along!
VIDEO OF THE DAY:
The best 153 minutes of your life you can spend. Ever. From Inside The Actors Studio, 2001.
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE DAY:
Melodysheep, "Seize the Day"
Melodysheep, "Seize the Day"
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