Robin Williams

Williams at the Happy Feet premiereEva Rinaldi [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)]The sound of laughter rang throughout the entire theatre. Smiles took the place of frowns as people were struggling to keep a straight face. Robin Williams, a man striving to make everyone around him happy, had this kind of effect. Williams was born in Chicago on July 21st, 1951, and in 1968, he moved to San Francisco with his parents (Wells). Growing up, Williams battled his own classmates who teased him for being short and overweight (“Robin Williams” Newsmakers). He found refuge in comedy. Williams moved from college to college, trying to discover his passion. He decided on the College of Marin to study theatre, but was encouraged to take the next step when he received a scholarship to Julliard School in New York (“Robin Williams” Encyclopedia). After graduating, he took the opportunity to move to L.A. and start a career. He landed many roles, due to his charisma and perfect comedic timing. Gradually, he gained more publicity and soon became one of America’s greatest comedians. Williams inspired many people by continuously striving to make everyone around him have a great time. Robin Williams’ perseverance to overcome obstacles to be a better role model for others, and his ability to make people around him happy, makes him a hero.

Williams’ persistence to become a better person and role model makes him very inspirational. Everyone around him seemed to be truly inspired: “Indeed, he was widely admired in Hollywood, receiving the ultimate honor from his peers, an Oscar for best supporting actor in 1997's Good Will Hunting” (Puig). This quote shows that people who didn't even know him well were truly inspired by his actions and how courageous he was. Williams truly demonstrates his courageousness when he finally decided to lead a more healthy life to become a better person for his child to look up to. He did what he could to make sure he was a good role model and was selfless by providing for others before himself. He showed people what it means to follow your dreams: “He then transferred to the College of Marin and studied theater until a scholarship to the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City prompted another move” (“Robin Williams” Encyclopedia). Williams followed his dreams, even after everyone doubted him throughout his childhood. He was passionate about theatre, and after spending much time deciding what college to attend, he decided on College of Marin but took the next step to further his career in the arts. He did what he wanted to become the best version of himself. Robin Williams shows his persistence by doing what he believes will make him a better person.

commons.wikimedia.orgKingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel, Maryland, USA [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)]Williams’ need to make other people laugh left people happy and joyful after watching him perform, proving how light-hearted and comical he was. Everyone who met him would be seen laughing: “Every actor can be seen just trying to keep a straight face when he’s around” (Puig). He made everyone laugh in the darkest of situations and knew how to make everyone smile when they were feeling down. He was a light to brighten up everyone’s day. He was so caring and loving towards the entire community. Many directors gave him the opportunity to come up with something on the spot: “He was given free rein to ad-lib during filming--very unusual in television--often bringing his fellow performers to tears as they tried to suppress their laughter” (“Robin Williams” Newsmakers). Only Williams was given this chance, and every time he rocked it. He was so incredibly light-hearted that not a single person could be seen with a straight face. Everyone loved him and his charismatic personality. His comedic timing was always perfect. Robin Williams’ ability to make others happy and bring joy and lightheartedness to the stage is what makes him an inspiration to many.

Williams was an inspiration because of his will to face his problems to motivate others and his dedication to make the world a happier place. Being persistent shows how you are willing to put your full effort into something and finish what needs to be done. A hero must always be persistent and inspire others to do the same. To be light-hearted means you are always a light for someone else’s life and strive to make the people around you happier. Lightheartedness is making other people happy as well as yourself. Williams was always looking to make people laugh: “Yet it was his prodigious intelligence, ferocious intensity and charismatic, maniacal and razor-sharp wit -- which sometimes seemed to tread on the edges of sanity -- that allowed him to reach into the heart of a character in his varied and impressive dramatic roles” (Puig). He truly is an inspiration to many, including myself, because of his ability to be charismatic even in dark situations. Laughter was always heard when he performed. There was never a dull moment with Robin Williams.

Works Cited

Puig, Claudia. "Far more than a funnyman." USA Today, 12 Aug. 2014, p. 01D. Biography In

Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A378105119/BIC?u=powa9245&sid=BIC&xid=fa75be33. Accessed 21 Mar. 2019.

"Robin Williams." Encyclopedia of World Biography, vol. 37, Gale, 2017. Biography In Context,

https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1631010719/BIC?u=powa9245&sid=BIC&xid=efa98aeb. Accessed 26 Mar. 2019.

"Robin Williams." Newsmakers, Gale, 1988. Biography In Context,

https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1618002073/BIC?u=powa9245&sid=BIC&xid=d00e64e2. Accessed 25 Mar. 2019.

Wells, Paul. “The Verse That Robin Williams Contributed.” Macleans.ca, 12 Aug. 2014,

www.macleans.ca/culture/movies/the-verse-that-robin-williams-contributed-2/