10 things you may not have known about Robin Williams
Williams starred in three films that were nominated for the best picture Oscar: "Dead Poets Society" (1989), "Awakenings" (1990) and "Good Will Hunting" (1997).
Photo: Robin Williams in a scene from "Dead Poets Society."
Remembering Robin Williams
Robin Williams graduated from Redwood High School in Larkspur, Calif., north of San Francisco. He was voted most humorous and least likely to succeed.
Photo: Robin Williams holds the Oscar he won for best supporting actor for his role in "Good Will Hunting" during the 70th Academy Awards March 23, 1998, in Los Angeles.
Remembering Robin Williams
Robin Williams studied at Julliard in New York with fellow actor Christopher Reeve. They stayed close friends friends until Reeve died in 2004. That same year, Williams dedicated his Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globe Awards to Reeve.
Photo: Christopher Reeve, wife Dana and Robin Williams pose while at the Governor's Ball after the 68th annual Academy Awards March 25, 1996, in Los Angeles. Reeve made his first appearance before the Hollywood community after an equestrian accident left him paralyzed.
Remembering Robin Williams
After he left Juilliard, Williams played nightclubs where he was discovered for the role of Mork on an episode of "Happy Days" in 1974.
Photo: Robin Williams and Ron Howard in a scene from "Happy Days."
Remembering Robin Williams
Williams enjoyed cycling and even trained with Lance Armstrong.
Following Williams' death on Aug. 11, 2014, Armstrong tweeted: "RIP Robin. I will always remember you as one hell of a friend. I love you and will miss you terribly."
Photo: Lance Armstrong and Robin Williams pose before a training session during a rest day before the 15th stage of the 89th Tour de France in Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux, July 22, 2002.
Remembering Robin Williams
Robin Williams ad-libbed much of his lines as the Genie in the 1992 animated Disney movie, "Aladdin."
He improvised so much there was close to a reported 16 hours worth of material. Because Williams ad-libbed so many of his lines, the script didn't get a nomination for best adapted screenplay at the Oscars.
"Aladdin" marked one of the first animated films to feature a major Hollywood name.
Remembering Robin Williams
Williams was close to starring in Batmans films -- twice. He reportedly was under consideration for the part of The Joker in Tim Burton's "Batman," but in the end, the role went to Jack Nicholson. There was also a chance to appear as The Riddler in Joel Schumacher's "Batman Forever," but Jim Carrey took on the part.
Photo: Robin Williams galavants backstage during the 76th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater on Feb. 29, 2004, in Hollywood, Calif.
Remembering Robin Williams
During the shooting of "Schindler's List," Robin Williams called Steven Spielberg to crack some jokes and help lift his spirits.
In a Reddit AMA, Williams said, "I think I only called him once, maybe twice. I called him when I was representing People for the Valdheimers Association. A society devoted to helping raise money to help older Germans who had forgotten everything before 1945. I remember him laughing and going 'thank you.'"
Photo: Robin Williams and Steven Spielberg in the audience during the 38th AFI Life Achievement Award honoring Mike Nichols held at Sony Pictures Studios on June 10, 2010, in Culver City, Calif.
Remembering Robin Williams
In 2003, Williams won a Grammy Award for best spoken comedy album for "Robin Williams - Live 2002."
Photo: Robin Williams at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 23, 2003, in New York.
Remembering Robin Williams
Robin Williams wanted to make sure he wasn't recognizable as Mrs. Doubtfire, so he reportedly went into an adult bookstore in character and bought something without being recognized.
Photo: Robin Williams in a scene from 1993's "Mrs. Doubtfire."
