Happy Birthday Robin Williams: 6 of his most memorable roles

Robin Williams may have been best known for his fast-talking, funnyman roles, but he mesmerised in serious ones as well — creepy ones, too — and was memorable well beyond the big screen: on television, on the comedy stage, even on Broadway. On his birthday today, here are six of Williams' most distinctive roles — and the list could be much longer.

The kinetic bundle of energy that wastook on many forms during a long and versatile career. He may have been best known for his fast-talking, funnyman roles, but he mesmerised in serious ones as well — creepy ones, too — and was memorable well beyond the big screen: on television, on the comedy stage, even on Broadway. On his birthday on July 21, here are six of Williams' most distinctive roles — and the list could be much longer.



Good Will Hunting (1997)

A rare but welcome serious role for Williams, who played the stubborn yet empathetic therapist who was somehow able to help math prodigy Will Hunting (Matt Damon) figure out how to handle his life. This film won Williams a supporting actor Oscar.

Robin-Williams-AP-Photo

Mrs Doubtfire (1991)

Who couldn't love a bumbling dad who dressed up as a portly nanny — with a latex mask, a wig and a Scottish accent — in order to spend time with his young kids? A sequel was in the works at the time of the actor's death.

Aladdin (1992)

Will it ever be possible to see a cartoon genie and not think of Williams? Remember him shooting out of that bottle: "Ten thousand years will give you SUCH a crick in the neck!"

Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)

Williams' fast-talking style was perfect for the role of a DJ on Armed Forces Radio during the Vietnam War. This was his first Oscar nomination.

One Hour Photo (2002)

Another serious role, and it was a creepy one: Williams played a photo counter worker at a huge suburban store who got a little too involved in the lives of his customers when he realised one of them was having an affair.

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Played an unconventional poetry teacher who taught his Vermont boarding school students to stand on their desks, think on their own, and "seize the day." This brought him his second Oscar nomination.