After actor Christopher Reeve was paralyzed in a horse riding accident in 1995, Robin Williams, who had been Reeve’s friend since their time together at Juilliard in the 1970s, was the first person to visit him in the hospital. Ahead of a risky surgical procedure, Williams, dressed in medical scrubs, jokingly pretended to be Reeve’s proctologist. Despite the humorous disguise and Russian accent, Reeve quickly caught on to the prank, finding immense joy in the visit. Reflecting on Williams’ impact, Reeve’s family stated that Williams’ visit was the first time Reeve genuinely laughed after the accident, leaving a lasting impression on him.

Director Bill Kroyer stated that Disney was initially annoyed when he recruited some of their top animators for the creation of 1992’s FernGully: The Last Rainforest. However, Kroyer believes that what truly bothered Disney studio head Jeffrey Katzenberg was the casting of Robin Williams as the voice of Batty Koda.

At the time, Williams was also committed to voicing the Genie in Aladdin, both of which were scheduled for release in the same year. Katzenberg reportedly disliked the idea of Williams voicing characters in competing films, but Williams had already committed to FernGully before Aladdin. According to FernGully screenwriter Jim Cox,

“Katzenberg did not want him voicing two animated characters in two animated movies at the same time, and tried to force Robin not to do it. Robin was steaming, like, “It’s my voice! You can’t stop me.”

During the emotionally taxing production of ‘Schindler’s List,’ Steven Spielberg received weekly calls from Robin Williams, providing much-needed relaxation and support.

“Robin knew what I was going through, and once a week, Robin would call me on schedule and he would do 15 minutes of stand-up on the phone. I would laugh hysterically, because I had to release so much.”

In the 1990s, Robin Williams typically earned around $8 million per film. However, for Disney’s ‘Aladdin,’ he agreed to work for scale, which was $75,000. This decision was made under the condition that Disney wouldn’t heavily feature him in the film’s marketing. Williams explained this arrangement on the Today Show.

“We had a deal…. The one thing I said was I will do the voice. I’m doing it basically because I want to be part of this animation tradition. I want something for my children. One deal is, I just don’t want to sell anything — as in Burger King, as in toys, as in stuff.”

Disney used Robin Williams and his character in ‘Aladdin’ marketing despite an agreement not to, causing friction. To reconcile, Disney sent Williams a Picasso painting worth $1 million. Eventually, they patched things up, leading Williams to return as the Genie in ‘Aladdin and the King of Thieves’ in 1996.

In the comedy community, Robin Williams was accused of being a frequent joke thief, though opinions differ on whether it was intentional. Some comedians allege he would deliberately steal material from others, while others suggest he absorbed comedy bits and incorporated them into his improvisational style. Williams admitted to the latter in a 2010 interview with Marc Maron.

“I think in the old days… if you hang out in comedy clubs, when I was doing it almost 24/7, you hear things, and then if you’re improvising all of a sudden you repeat it and go, “Oh s***…” My brain was working that way.”

Robin Williams admitted that when confronted by comedians about stealing their jokes, he would apologize by compensating them financially. In an interview with Marc Maron, he likened himself to “the bank of comedy,” readily offering money as an apology: “Oh s***, here you go, here’s money, I’m sorry!”

Robin Williams’ suicide in 2014 led to widespread speculation about depression, but it was later revealed he was also battling Lewy body dementia. This neurodegenerative disorder significantly affected his mental state, causing hallucinations and impaired motor function. Williams’ widow, Susan, and friend, director Bobcat Goldthwait, witnessed his struggles firsthand. Despite a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease three months prior to his death, it wasn’t until afterward that Lewy body dementia was confirmed. Medical experts noted Williams had one of the most severe cases they’d seen, with a significant loss of dopamine neurons. His prognosis was grim, with only a few more years predicted if he had not taken his life.

During publicity for “The Birdcage” on Oprah Winfrey’s show, Nathan Lane wasn’t ready to publicly discuss his sexuality. Despite his reluctance, Oprah brought up the subject. Robin Williams, sensing Lane’s discomfort, attempted to steer the conversation elsewhere.

“She says to me something like, “Oh, you’re so good at that girly stuff.” Or whatever it was. And Robin obviously sensed she might be going toward the sexuality question and he immediately swoops in and diverts the interview away from that to protect me.”

In his biography of Robin Williams, journalist Dave Itzkoff recounts that Robin Williams was one of the final individuals to see John Belushi alive. They met on the evening of March 4, 1982, at the Chateau Marmont, a hotel on LA’s Sunset Strip.

“When Belushi came back, he was joined by Cathy Evelyn Smith, a singer and drug dealer who had dated musicians like Levon Helm and Gordon Lightfoot, and her presence made Robin deeply uncomfortable. She seemed gaunt and worn down, and the room itself was disheveled and strewn with empty wine bottles. Belushi took out a guitar and strummed a few chords; subsequent accounts of the evening would later state that he and Robin did some cocaine, though Robin himself denied this.”

Belushi became groggy and attributed it to consuming some quaaludes earlier. Williams, sensing the situation, decided to depart and extended an invitation for Belushi to visit him at his ranch in Topanga Canyon. Tragically, a few hours later, Belushi passed away from a fatal overdose in his sleep.

Chip Zien ultimately voiced Howard in ‘Howard the Duck’ after replacing Robin Williams. Williams, known for his improvisational skills, grew frustrated with the voiceover process and decided to walk away from the role. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Zien reminisced:

“I was told was by the third day, Robin said, “I can’t do this. It is insane. I can’t get the rhythm of this. I am being confined. I am being handcuffed in order to match the flapping duck’s bill.”

Zien enthusiastically accepted the role after being told by the casting director that he sounded “a little bit like a duck.”

Zelda Rae Williams, born in 1989 to Robin Williams and Marsha Garces, was named after the titular character in the Legend of Zelda video game series. In an interview with Game News, Williams recounted spending countless hours playing the game after purchasing a Nintendo system. He clarified that his daughter was indeed named after the video game character, not F. Scott Fitzgerald’s wife.

Robin Williams’ unmatched improvisational skills led the directors of “Aladdin” to allow him significant creative freedom. His ad-libbed lines as the Genie were so abundant and brilliant that they resulted in hours of extra footage. This not only showcased his incredible talent but also his unique ability to bring animated characters to life.

Not only was Robin Williams a celebrated actor and comedian, but he was also an avid cyclist and collector. He owned over 50 bicycles at one point, frequently seen riding in Marin County, California. His passion for cycling was a lesser-known aspect of his life, reflecting a personal hobby that brought him joy outside of his professional accomplishments.

Before achieving fame, Williams performed as a mime outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This early performance art was a humble beginning for the future star, showcasing his willingness to entertain in any form, even before the lights and cameras.

Robin Williams, alongside Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal, co-founded Comic Relief USA in 1986. This charity aimed to provide aid to the homeless, demonstrating Williams’ commitment to using his platform for philanthropy and his deep compassion for those in need.

Williams’ education at the prestigious Juilliard School set the foundation for his illustrious career. There, he formed a lifelong friendship with Christopher Reeve, highlighting a bond that went beyond their professional lives and into personal tragedy and support.

In 2011, Robin Williams made his Broadway acting debut in “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo.” Set against the backdrop of the Iraq War, this role showcased Williams’ versatility and willingness to explore complex, dramatic roles that differed from his comedic persona.

Williams’ guest appearance on “Happy Days” led to the creation of “Mork & Mindy,” propelling him to stardom. This role not only made him a household name but also showcased his unique comedic talent, combining wit with a lovable eccentricity.

Williams openly discussed his struggles with substance abuse and depression, contributing significantly to mental health awareness. His openness about these personal battles helped destigmatize mental health issues, showing his vulnerability and humanity.

An avid collector of military memorabilia, Williams had a profound interest in military history. This passion was often reflected in his comedy routines, where he seamlessly integrated historical facts, showing yet another facet of his wide-ranging interests and knowledge.