The GENIEus of Comedy: A Robin Williams Tribute

Today, talented actor and comedy genius Robin Williams passed away at 63 years young. It is hard to come up with words that describes such a talent that has brought smiles and positive emotions to audiences everywhere. His voice, his delivery, his actions, his antics, and his laughs brought me, and everybody else who enjoyed lots of his work, great joy and entertainment. 

I still have yet to see films like Good Morning, Vietnam and Dead Poet's Society, as they are revered as one of his best works. But my favorite performances have to be in Hook, where he plays a grown-up Peter Pan who has forgotten about his childhood and Never Never Land. He plays a complicated man that has to juggle his life as a father and husband while also trying rekindle that light and happiness he had lost when he decided to forget about his childhood, his times of being Peter Pan. Also in Mrs. Doubtfire as a divorcee who still has great unconditional love for his children, despite them being in the custody of his ex-wife. So in order to spend more time with his children, he poses a female middle-aged nanny named Mrs. Doubtfire. As surreal as the premise sounds, it is Williams' performance that stands out in the film and why it is beloved. There is his role in Good Will Hunting, where he plays the psychiatrist to Matt Damon's character. Williams and Damon shared an undeniably great chemistry in that film, as if the two of those great actors' charms and charisma danced in glorious harmony. But by far my most favorite role, and probably a lot of people's favorite role of his, is actually a voice role. That is right the Genie from Disney's Aladdin. Hands down the funniest animated character ever created by Disney, Williams put all his charm, likable attributes, his style, his delivery, his persona, and just about everything we loved about the man in that role. I could not think of a time in that film where the Genie was on screen and I failed to burst out in hysterical laughter or even smile. Ever since I was a small child this character stuck with me and is one of the biggest influences that helped shaped my personal sense of humor. 

Not only was he a great actor, but also a comedic genius and talented stand-up. He knew how to get the laughter out of people and bring them smiles. He was truly an entertainer at heart, and breaks mine to know that he has left us. We truly never had a friend like him.

R.I.P5

Robin Williams (1951-2014)