Oh Captain, My Captain - RIP, Robin Williams!

Today, the world lost one of its funniest, brightest, and most talented stars: Robin Williams (1951-2014) and I am gutted by this news.  I felt the need to write a tribute to one of my favorite performers.

As so many of us, I was introduced with Mr. Williams's comedic brilliance by his guest appearance on Happy Days as the alien, Mork from Ork, which led to a spin-off sitcom, Mork & Mindy starring Mr. Williams and Pam Dawber. I loved this show and eagerly awaited each new episode to see what maniacal stunts Mr. Williams would come up with. 

This show led to this King of Improv appearing in an amazing array of unbelievably brilliant movies - in both dramatic and comedic roles. Just to name a few of his best: Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), Dead Poets Society (1989), Awakenings (1990), The Fisher King (1991), Aladdin (1992), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Good Will Hunting (1997), One Hour Photo (2002), and so many more. Of course, we cannot possibly forget his hilarious stand up routines, especially Live at the Met (1986) and Live on Broadway (2002) (video) which I would end up in massive amounts of pain from laughter. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor three times (The Fisher King, Good Morning, Vietnam and Dead Poets Society) and went on to receive the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Good Will Hunting (1997). Additionally, he received two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and five Grammy Awards.

He was one of my many inspirations and heroes. It was his portrayal as John Keating in Dead Poets Society that made me want to become a teacher.

The world has suddenly become a little less funny knowing  that this unbelievably brilliant man has left us. Whatever the reason for his demise, nothing will ever take away the body of work that he left for us to enjoy.

Oh Captain, my Captain, rest in peace and know that you were loved by the world.