Robin Williams was one of the big screen's great entertainers. However, he was just a great a dramatic actor as he was a funnyman.
During his career - which spanned over forty years - he delivered some terrific performances that made us laugh and broke our hearts.
We take a look at some of his greatest roles and movies from a very successful and illustrious career.
- Good Morning Vietnam (1988)
'Good Morning Vietnam' is one of Williams' most famous movie lines as he took on the central role in the war drama/comedy back in 1988.
Set during the Vietnam War, Williams took on the role of a radio DJ, who was loved by the troops but infuriated his superiors.
Good Morning Vietnam was the movie that showed that Williams was as great an actor as he was a comedian, as he seamlessly mixed the two in this tour de force performance.
From start to finish, this is truly Williams' as he was at his improvisational best during the radio shows in the film.
Williams would receive his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor - losing out to Michael Douglas for Wall Street.
- Dead Poets Society (1989)
In 1989, Williams teamed up with director Peter Weir for Dead Poets Society, which saw Williams really tone down the comedy in favour of powerful drama.
Set in a school, Williams took on the role of unconventional teacher John Keating, who inspires his students through his teaching of poetry.
I have to say, Williams is totally compelling in this film, as he really gets his teeth into Tom Schulman's wonderful screenplay.
This really is an inspiring story about a teacher and the impact that he has upon his students, and it put Williams further on the dramatic map.
Dead Poets Society was a critical hit when it was released, and it went on to be nominated for four Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Williams), and Best Original Screenplay (Schulman).
Unfortunately, Williams missed out again, but Schulman was recognised for his fantastic screenplay.
- The Fisher King (1991)
The Fisher King saw Williams return to comedy/drama in 1991, as he starred in The Fisher King.
Terry Gilliam was in the director's chair for the film, while Jeff Bridges and Mercedes Ruehl were also on the cast list.
A former radio DJ (Bridges), suicidally despondent because of a terrible mistake he made, finds redemption in helping a deranged homeless man (Williams) who was an unwitting victim of that mistake.
Williams and Bridges are on top form in The Fisher King, and make a terrific movie team. Their performances and this central relationship really push this story forward and keeps you hooked.
The Fisher King is bother a touching and hilarious film that follow these two lost souls that you cannot help but root for.
The Fisher King was another critical success for Williams, and he was nominated for another Best Actor Oscar: he lost out to Anthony Hopkins for The Silence of the Lambs.
- Aladdin (1993)
Williams turned his hand to animation at the beginning of the nineties as he lent his voice to Aladdin.
Williams took on the role of the Genie, and this remains one of the most iconic animation performances of all time.
Williams really did pour his comedic genius into this role to bring genie to life and make him one of the most popular Disney characters - I have to say, the genie really does remain one of my favourites.
Aladdin was a box office smash as it went on to gross in excess of $504 million at the global box office.
Aladdin, along with Beauty and the Beast a couple of years earlier, really helped re-establish Disney.
- Mrs Doubtfire (1994)
Mrs Doubtfire hit the big screen back in 1994, and it remains Williams' most iconic characters of his acting career.
Directed by Chris Columbus, the movie saw Williams play a father who disguises himself as a female housekeeper in order to spend time with his kids after a bitter divorce.
Mrs Doubtfire remains one of my favourite films starring Williams, as it really does show him at his comedic best.
A great cast was assembled for the film, as Williams was joined by Sally Field and Pierce Brosnan: however, it was Williams who really did steal the show.
Mrs Doubtfire was a box office smash as it went on to gross in excess of $441 million at the global box office.
- Good Will Hunting (1998)
By 1998, Williams had three Best Oscar nominations under his belt, but it was for Good Will Hunting that he tasted Oscar success.
The movie saw Williams play a supporting role as a psychologist who helps give direction to janitor Will Hunting (Matt Damon).
Good Will Hunting does avoid many of the pitfalls that we usually see in a movie like this, and is propelled forward by powerful performances from both Damon and Williams.
The relationship between Damon and Williams is the most interesting in the film and it is an incredibly touching link between them.
Good Will Hunting was nominated for Best Picture Oscar, but triumphed with Best Supporting Actor for Williams and Best Original Screenplay for Damon and Ben Affleck.
Other great Robin Williams movies not to miss include Patch Adams, Jumanji, Hook, and Awakenings.
Tagged in Robin Williams Aladdin