Died at 74
male
Robin McLaurin Williams (July 21, 1951 – August 11, 2014) was an American actor and comedian. Known for his improvisational skills and the wide variety of characters he created on the spur of the moment and portrayed on film, in dramas and comedies alike, he is regarded as one of the greatest comedians of all time. He received numerous accolades including an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and five Grammy Awards. Williams began performing stand-up comedy in San Francisco and Los Angeles during the mid-1970s, and released several comedy albums including Reality ... What a Concept in 1980. He rose to fame playing the alien Mork in the ABC sitcom Mork & Mindy (1978–1982). He received his first leading film role in Popeye (1980). Williams went on to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Good Will Hunting (1997). His other Oscar-nominated roles were for Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), Dead Poets Society (1989), and The Fisher King (1991). Williams starred in the critically acclaimed dramas The World According to Garp (1982), Moscow on the Hudson (1984), Dead Poets Society (1989), Awakenings (1990), Patch Adams (1998), Insomnia (2002), One Hour Photo (2002), and World's Greatest Dad (2009). He also starred in family films such as Hook (1991), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Jumanji (1995), Jack (1996), Flubber (1997), RV (2006), and the Night at the Museum trilogy (2006–2014). He lent his voice to the animated films Aladdin (1992), Robots (2005), Happy Feet (2006), and its 2011 sequel. Williams was found dead at his home in Paradise Cay, California, in August 2014, at the age of 63. At the time of his suicide, he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. According to his widow, Williams had experienced depression, anxiety, and increasing paranoia. His autopsy found "diffuse Lewy body disease" and Lewy body dementia professionals said his symptoms were consistent with dementia with Lewy bodies.
Robin Williams
The Doctor
for The Doctor in American Doctor Who - The Fifth Doctor (1982-1984)
Suggested by optimistic_writer
Despite initially being skeptical, Gene Wilder ultimately fell in love with playing the character, and played The Doctor for 7 whole seasons. But, once the production entered the 80s, Wilder didn't really like the direction it was going, especially with the new hot shot producer that he worked for, for a season. So, he ultimately decided his seventh season would be his last. So a new Doctor needed to be found. The new producer wanted to find someone who was more down to Earth and personable, while also showcasing the manic portrayal of the Doctor when needed. And his choice was Robin Williams. It was very perfect timing as Williams was just finishing his run on another show as an alien: Mork and Mindy. When they approached him for the role, he immediately agreed, being a big fan of the show in his youth. He was a bit skeptical going from one TV show to another, so he approached Jack Lemmon for advice, and Lemmon told him to do the show only for 3 seasons to avoid typecasting. Which is what Williams ultimately decided to do because of this. Now, Robin Williams as the Fifth Doctor begins!
