Robin Williams’ Most Iconic Roles, From the Genie to Mrs. Doubtfire and More

The Genie That Almost Wasn’t

But did you know he almost didn’t accept the role? “The one thing I said was I will do the voice,” he once told New York magazine. “I’m doing it basically because I want to be part of this animation tradition. I want something for my children. One deal is, I just don’t want to sell anything — as in Burger King, as in toys, as in stuff.” We are so glad he decided to do it after all.

“O Captain! My Captain!”

When he passed away, one of the ways fans shared tributes to him was by sharing photo and video reenactments of the film’s famous “O Captain! My Captain!” scene.

Winning Hearts

While it may not have the most amazing Rotten Tomatoes rating, the film holds a special place in the hearts of ’90s kids everywhere. Robin’s portrayal of Professor Philip Brainard plays an important part in that.

All Improv

Did you know Robin was able to play the role without a script and improvised most of his lines? Good Morning, Vietnam producer once said of the actor, “We spent so much time together during filming. We did everything together. Robin would get up in the morning and say, ‘We have to do yesterday’s work all over again. I’ll pay for it.’ I’d say, ‘What are you talking about! It worked great.’ Spent so much time together after that. We were great personal friends.”

All the Awards

The movie might have helped make Matt and Ben Affleck famous, but Robin’s role is one of the most lauded performances in the project.

“See You in Neverland”

After Robin passed, Dante Basco — who played the infamous Rufio in the film — made a YouTube video in honor of his late costar. “We pause today due to finding out the horrible news of my dear friend Robin Williams’ passing. I am just one of many actors that you’ve worked with, and you changed our lives,” he narrated. “And I am just one of the millions of people around the world that will forever miss you. Rest in peace, Robin. See you in Neverland.”

Alan Parrish Forever

The actor actually turned down the role based on the first script he got for it. But after extensive rewrites, he accepted. Robin wasn’t willing to take on just any part, you see!

And just in case you wanted to cry today, did you know that Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle included a special homage to Robin’s role in the original movie? In a scene where Nick Jonas’ character Alex invites the other characters into his treehouse, “Alan Parrish was here” is written on the wall. BRB crying forever.

Thanks, Mork

While it may not be as well known to younger generations as some of his film roles, it nonetheless helped launch Robin to stardom. The show lasted for four seasons on ABC.

Touching Tribute

Lisa Jakub, who played the eldest child, Lydia, in the movie, wrote a touching tribute to the actor after he passed away. Apparently, her high school tried to kick her out during filming, and Robin wrote a letter on her behalf.

“It’s devastating, at 14, to have your formal education terminated,” she wrote. “I felt like a freak and a reject. When I arrived at work the next day, Robin noticed that I was upset and asked me what was wrong. I explained what had happened, and the next day, he handed me a letter that he wrote to my school. He explained that I was just trying to continue my education while pursuing my career. He wrote embarrassingly kind things about my character and my work, and requested that they reconsider and allow me to return to my classes.” What a lovely man.

The Kindest

The third movie, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, was dedicated to the memory of Robin, who died four months before it was released. (Fellow Night at the Museum actor Mickey Rooney was also included in the dedication.)

Ben Stiller, who worked with Robin on the trilogy, told Variety at the third film’s premiere, “I will never forget his generosity. I got to work with him a few times over the years, and he was the kindest person.”

Absurd and Entertaining — That’s Robin

Along with the rest of the cast, Robin won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for the film in 1997. Film critic James Berardinelli once wrote of the movie, “This movie is a triumph of the stylistically absurd … the film is so boisterously entertaining that it’s easy for the unsuspecting viewer not to realize that there’s a message here.” That’s Robin, all right — his entire career was the perfect mix of funny and poignant.

Thanks for the Laughs

The message of the movie became even more heartbreaking after Robin took his own life in 2014. While doing press for the film, he shared his thoughts on the afterlife and told one interviewer, “I believe in heaven and hell. I’ve had coming attractions of them in my dreams.”

On a much more comforting note, in 2001, when Inside The Actors Studio host James Lipton asked Robin, “If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?” the actor replied with a laugh, “There’s seating near the front. The concert begins at five, it’ll be Mozart, Elvis and one of your choosing.” He then added, “If heaven exists, to know that there’s laughter, that’d be a good thing. Just to hear God go, ‘Two Jews walk into a bar.’” Thanks for the laughs here on Earth, Robin.