The Comedic Genius Of Robin Williams

Robin Williams' manic style of comedy earns him the honor of being called a living legend. His wild improvisational skills bring both humor and excitement to his performances, and his impersonations are truly unique. Williams has the rare gift of taking on character traits with apparent abandon, moving in and out of personalities with ease and authenticity. To the audience, he is nothing short of a genius.

As a child, he was very shy and quiet, until he became involved in his high school's drama department. The teaching and coaching he received there gave him the outlet to express himself and develop his acting talent. In 1973, he was one of 20 students accepted in the Juilliard School, a private conservatory. He was later accepted into the Advanced Program where his innate skill at copying dialects was discovered and encouraged.

His professional career began with stand-up routines where he was paid in tips. He later got some regular gigs at clubs like The Purple Onion in San Francisco. But his big break came when he was cast as the alien "Mork" in a guest spot on the successful series, "Happy Days". Williams' performance was completely original and amazing. He was an instant hit and fans clamored for more of his routine.

Robin Williams "signature" style of staccato bursts of verbal and physical comedy are truly inspiring. As Mork, he coined new words, like "Nanu, Nanu!" and "Shazbot!" delivered in a distinct nasal pitch that was pure perfection. The "Mork and Mindy" series ran from 1978 to 1982, catapulting Williams to new heights in his career. His character was featured on a variety of merchandise from lunchboxes to full-length posters.

When the series ended, fans were not terribly disappointed because the comedic genius of Williams was then directed into other venues. He returned to his standup comedy routines in television specials, reaching a wider and more diverse audience. The standup performances of Williams consistently connected with people and made him a successful one-man show. In 2004, he was voted 13th on Comedy Central's list of the "100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time".

Williams ventured into movies and found a permanent and profitable home. The majority of his career has been spent in films, with an occasional stage performance. He is well remembered for some of his most stellar acting roles, like Popeye (1980) and The World According to Garp (1982). Yet, many fans and critics believe his part in "Good Morning Vietnam" (1987) began to define his career and give him an identity beyond pure comedy. Since that movie, his humor has been a realistic combination of comedy mixed with pathos. Audiences have solidly supported this transition at the box office.

Robin Williams is a comedic genius. His awards and the applause of audiences confirm that every time he steps on stage or before a camera.