Remembering Robin Williams | One Year On

Today marks the first anniversary of Robin Williams' death.

11th August 2014 was the day the world lost Robin Williams. His death shook the entertainment business with many fans, fellow actors and directors left in disbelief that the 63-year-old had passed away. The actor was found in his home in California after committing suicide.

Robin Williams was credited as revolutionising San Francisco's comedy scene just as his rise to fame began following his appearance in the sitcom Mork and Mindy. 

Williams was cast in many popular movies during the late 1980's and 1990's with his characters winning the hearts of both old and young audiences. He was praised for his wit in improvisation and was said to be one of the kindest and most modest people in the business, hence the outburst of emotion and dedication to the star following his passing. To his colleagues in the industry and his fans, he was considered a national treasure. 

His body was cremated and scattered over the San Francisco Bay with tributes continuing to pour in and memorials being set up at locations where some of his most popular movies were filmed such as Boston's Public Garden which featured in Good Will Hunting and the steps of the house in Pacific Heights in San Francisco where Mrs. Doubtfire was filmed. To this day, the stones outside 2640 Steiner Street, San Francisco bear messages from fans to the late actor.

 In another touching tribute, the lights on New York's famous Broadway were dimmed for one minute as a mark of respect for the actor with the cast of Aladdin singing the Oscar-nominated Friend Like Me which was originally sung by Williams in the 1992 film. In Ireland, a tribute screening of Dead Poets Society at a Happenings event in Dublin drew an audience of 1000 people. During the famous O Captain, My Captain scene in the movie, a spontaneous standing ovation began with applause ringing out around the park.

One year on it's still hard to believe that the actor many people grew up with is no longer with us. 

To celebrate his legacy, here are our top five Robin Williams movies. Let us know your favourite too!

5. Good Morning Vietnam

Williams performs as a radio DJ in the Armed Forces Radio Servies in war-torn Vietnam. He received the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy for his role in the movie in 1987. 

4. Aladdin

Robin Williams provided the voice of the Genie in the Disney classic, Aladdin in 1992.

3. Dead Poet's Society

As previously mentioned, this was the movie aired in Dublin as a tribute to the actor. The 1989 movie sees Robin Williams playing English teacher John Keating who inspires his students to discover their love for poetry. This is the scene that resulted in the standing ovation in Dublin.

2. Mrs. Doubtfire

This is one of Williams' most famous roles. The film sees the actor portrays divorced Daniel Hillard whose access to his children is retracted resulting in him secretly dressing as an elderly British woman to get a job as a nanny for his son and two daughters. The movie won Williams another Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy in 1993.

1. Good Will Hunting

Will Hunting, played by Matt Damon has a genius level IQ but chooses to work as a janitor in MIT. Robin Williams plays his therapist Sean Maguire. His role in the movie gained the actor an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor as well as the Screen Actor Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in 1997.