I am not one who gets over emotional about the loss of celebrities as a general rule, but this one cuts pretty deep. They are far and few between when I actually have some sort of emotional distress. That is not to say you can’t mourn the loss of someone you enjoyed watching. I am not here to be THAT guy.
For me personally, Robin Williams is one of the first people I can think where I legitimately shed tears upon hearing about his death three years ago. Other celebs that come to mind are Nelson Mandella and Muhammad Ali.
Robin Williams was the guy who lit up the big screen or room when he walked in based on everything you hear about him. His passing doesn’t even scratch the surface on how little you know or think you know someone whether you are close to that person or not. Despite the cocaine and alcohol addictions he faced throughout his life, it never seemed to phase him psychologically, whether on the big screen or interviews.
An autopsy reported that Williams suffered from Lewy Body Dementia, which can cause visual hallucinations among other impairments. Originally, he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
His wife, Susan Schneider was quoted saying that “the terrorist inside my husband’s brain took his life,” referring to the LBD.
You just never know what is happening inside someone’s head even they are universally loved much like Williams was.
Enough about the sad shit though. I felt it would be a great way to pay homage to one of my favorite celebrities to list my favorite roles, best movies, best scenes and best quotes. I love that so many of the characters he played taught us so much about how to live life and treat others.
Best Roles
5. The Genie, Aladdin
It helps that this is one of my favorite Disney movies. Williams’ role as the Genie was perfect. The Genie was this larger than life character, much like Williams. I can’t imagine this movie without Robin Williams. I know Will Smith has been massive shoes to fill in the real-life version. The Genie is my generation’s Maui from Moana. Both are bold, big and loud characters who stole the show.
4. Jack Powell, Jack
I loved loved loved this movie as a kid. I remember the first time I saw it, my older sister had rented it with some friends. I was maybe 8 at the time. Watching it now, this has to be on the list of best roles for Williams. After all, he was playing a 10-year-old when he was 40. He did it perfectly. Part of me believes that the reason he could do it so well is because he seemed like a big kid himself.
3. Patch Adams, Patch Adams
There is nothing I love more than sticking it to the man. Williams infection laugh and personality filled the screen in Patch Adams. I can’t watch this movie without shedding tears, especially at the end. If you search what Williams’ best roles were, this one is often forgotten. Those people clearly haven’t seen this movie.
2. Euphegenia Doubtfire, Mrs. Doubtfire
You cannot mention Williams without bringing up this classic. This is one of the best Dram-Coms ever made. From a one-liner perspective, this movie was filled with them from Williams. I also think this movie culminated the madness behind Williams as a bold personality. He was absolutely hilarious as Mrs. Doubtfire.
1. Dr. Malcolm Sayer, Awakenings
I feel like this movie is not the most popular from Williams, but you should absolutely watch it. He plays a doctor who experiments with a drug to give his a patients short bursts of a clear mind to bring them back to “normal.” Williams alongside Robert De Niro will beat the emotion out of you in two-hour drama because of the constant highs and lows this portrays.
Best Movies
5. Jumanji
In the jungle you must wait until the dice read five or eight. If nothing else, this movie provided us with the popular meme “what year is it?” Although, I don’t think this movie cracks the top five for most, I love it. It is over the top, chaotic and hilarious. If this movie taught me one thing, head to higher ground in rain. Otherwise, you might be left floating on a door with a massive crocodile swimming down the street. No thank you.
4. Mrs. Doubtfire
The idea of going so far as to tricking your entire family just to spend time with them is awesome. As I said, it is filled with one-liners which I am a sucker for. One that stands out to me is when his oldest daughter asks “who did this to you?,” referring to the make-up and clothes, Williams responded “Uncle Frank and Aunt Jack.” It is those little minor lines that make me crack up. Of course you have the classic…
I’m a raptor
Doing what I can
Gonna eat everything
till the appearance of man
Yo yo see me
I’m living below the soil
I’ll be back
but I’m coming as oil
Boom! Crushed it.
3. Patch Adams
BRING. YOUR. TISSUE. The whole message behind this movie is an issue I feel we have today in our fast paced society. We move too fast to take the time to get to know people. In the medical field, that is the last thing doctors should be doing. Modern medicine, while advanced, has lost the human element to treating people and that is an uphill battle we will continue to face. I love that this movie tackles that issue head on.
2. Dead Poets Society
Oh Captain My Captain. Carpe Diem. Seize the day. Sorry, but there is nothing worse than a bunch of prep school douche nozzles. We see how the rich can break down their children’s hopes and dreams because it is not the norm. Remember the whole idea of sticking it the man that I love, this movie is a perfect example of that.
1. Good Will Hunting
Good Will Hunting may be one of my five favorite movies ever released. I could watch it on repeat for days. There was no other option for the number one spot. This movie provided Williams with his one and only Oscar as Best Supporting Actor. He plays the shrink of lost and beaten Will Hunting (Matt Damon). Will is beyond brilliant, but arrogance and ego clouds it. The two of them are fantastic working together and this is a must see.
Best Scenes
5. Friend Like Me, Aladdin
This is the first time The Genie makes his big screen appearance and the rest is history. You ain’t never had a friend, never had a friend. NEVER. HAD A. FRIEND. LIKE MEEEEE. Just earlier today, I was watching on Youtube the scene where Aladdin gets him fired up. It never gets old.
“Excuse me? Are you lookin’ at Me? Did you rub my lamp? Did you wake me up? Did you bring me here? Now all of a sudden you’re walkin’ out on me? I don’t think so!…Not right now! You’re Gettin’ Your Wishes SO SIT DOWN!”
4. Cake Face, Mrs. Doubtfire
Mrs. Sellner will never be the same after cake face dropped some cream in her tea. When your latex face gets run over by a truck, stick your face in a cake so they don’t know you’re a dude.
3. Laughing Scene, Good Will Hunting
My favorite part about this scene is that it was improvised. It was not in the script for Williams to say his wife farts in her sleep. He and Damon took that and ran with it. One of the most genuine and funny scenes in movie history in my opinion.
2. It’s Not Your Fault, Good Will Hunting
This was the big breakthrough moment where Sean finally cuts to Will’s core. His logical knowledge is like no other, but emotionally he is a wreck. He was an orphan with a troubles past and sometimes that isn’t always the child’s fault. Williams kept repeating it’s not your fault until Damon started sobbing on his shoulder. This will definitely give you a nice punch in the gut.
1. O Captain My Captain, Dead Poets Society
When the boys become men and stand up to those in charge. This is one of my favorite movie scenes ever. No one will ever forget this one. As Keating leaves the classroom with his belongings, his students are visibly upset because they don’t want him to leave. One by one they begin standing up on their desks and each shouting “O Captain My Captain” to pay homage to their friend and teacher. They seized the day and stood up for what is right.
Best Quotes
6. Fighting Indifference, Patch Adams
“What’s wrong with death sir? What are we so mortally afraid of? Why can’t we treat death with a certain amount of humanity and dignity, and decency, and God forbid, maybe even humor. Death is not the enemy gentlemen. If we’re going to fight a disease, let’s fight one of the most terrible diseases of all, indifference.”
One of my favorite quotes is from the great Dr. Martin Luther King when he said “our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.” Indifference is the worst disease on this planet. If you can’t muster up the courage to stand up for what you believe in, then why are you here?
5. Real Loss and Love, Good Will Hunting
“But you’ve never looked at a woman and been totally vulnerable. Known someone that could level you with her eyes, feeling like God put an angel on earth just for you. Who could rescue you from the depths of hell. And you wouldn’t know what it’s like to be her angel, to have that love for her, be there forever, through anything, through cancer. And you wouldn’t know about sleeping sitting up in the hospital room for two months, holding her hand, because the doctors could see in your eyes, that the terms “visiting hours” don’t apply to you. You don’t know about real loss, ’cause it only occurs when you’ve loved something more than you love yourself.”
Every time I hear this quote, I think about my wife. She has seen me at my worst, my best and everything in between. I know that she and I can make it through anything. I always talk about our struggles trying to have children. That part in the quote that talks about real loss. I think about how broken she felt after every negative test. You have heard me say it before that every single time it happened, part of her would die inside. Seeing that was the worst feeling in the world as a husband,
4. A Father’s Plea, Mrs. Doubtfire
“Ever since my children were born, the moment I looked at them, I was crazy about them.
Once I held them, I was hooked. I’m addicted to my children, sir. I love them with all my heart. And the idea of someone telling me I can’t be with them, I can’t see them every day…It’s like someone saying I can’t have air. I can’t live without air, and I can’t live without them. Listen, I would do anything. I just want to be with them. I know I need that, sir. We have a history. And I just…They mean everything to me. And they need me as much as I need them. So, please, don’t take my kids away from me.”
Although I have not met my boy just yet, he is coming. I already feel this way about him. I constantly find myself thinking about holding him for the first time and watching him enter this world. This kid already means the world to me and my wife. I know that feeling will only magnify by a million when he makes his debut.
3. Live Your Life, Jack
“I don’t have very much time these days so I’ll make it quick. Like my life. You know, as we come to the end of this phase of our life, we find ourselves trying to remember the good times and trying to forget the bad times, and we find ourselves thinking about the future. We start to worry , thinking, “What am I gonna do? Where am I gonna be in ten years?” But I say to you, “Hey, look at me!” Please, don’t worry so much. Because in the end, none of us have very long on this Earth. Life is fleeting. And if you’re ever distressed, cast your eyes to the summer sky when the stars are strung across the velvety night. And when a shooting star streaks through the blackness, turning night into day… make a wish and think of me. Make your life spectacular. I know I did. I made it, Mom. I’m a grown up.”
Make the most of your time here. Without sounding like a total fuckboy, you only have one shot at this. Do you want to spend it thinking about the what ifs? I sure as hell don’t. I have a clear vision on what I want in life. I want a happy family. I want a job where I can go to work everyday and love what I do. I want to hopefully turn this blog into supplemental income. Hell, maybe even a good chunk of income. Check, check and check. Stop wasting time. If you want to travel the world, do it. If you want to start your own business, do it. Make shit happen.
2. Make A Difference, Dead Poets Society
“No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.”
Think about all of the things in the room you are sitting in. I am typing this from a laptop. I see a gaming console, a TV, an iPhone, a fireplace, books, a rock and play. All of these things wouldn’t be possible if someone didn’t have the courage to pursue them. Playing off the last quote, don’t be afraid to make a difference.
1. Treating People with Dignity and Respect, Patch Adams
“You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you, you’ll win, no matter what the outcome.”
If you want my thoughts on this quote, visit my top 5 movie quotes *click here.*
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