Buzz
Robin Williams’ influence on TV and comedy is unmatched, but his impact extended far beyond entertainment. He brought attention to many causes that may have otherwise gone unnoticed, offering countless individuals a fresh perspective on the world around them. His ability to change lives, both in profound and subtle ways, is extraordinary, and for this, the world is forever grateful.
10. Moscow On The Hudson
Even after the Cold War, there has never been a period of true tranquility between the United States and Russia. Too often, the actions of a government are reflected in the actions of its people, with ordinary citizens who struggle to make a living often being associated with the policies of their government.
In 1984’s Moscow on the Hudson, Williams introduced a fresh perspective on the Russian everyman by playing a Russian saxophonist who falls in love with the American lifestyle and defects. Not only did Williams learn to play the saxophone for the role, but he also mastered Russian language skills. With many Russian extras on set, Williams crafted his character by drawing inspiration from their personal stories. They shared their experiences of where they came from, what they had endured, and their hopes for the future. Despite being rejected by the Cannes Film Festival for its political content, the film, directed by the grandson of a man who had made a similar defection, portrayed powerful scenes—like Vladimir’s amazement at an American grocery store—that were based on real-life accounts from Russian immigrants, giving a human face to those whose experiences mirror those of Americans in many ways.
9. Equality in Online Gaming
Let’s be honest: there’s always been a certain stigma surrounding those of us who enjoy escaping into virtual worlds. A huge number of people, when given a free afternoon, will eagerly log in and transform into a dark elf shadowknight, a troll shaman, an elven bard... anything other than who they have to be in the real world. While there are countless reasons people game, one of the main draws is that online gaming offers a sanctuary, a place to be who we want to be, away from the judgments of the outside world. It’s a space where we can defeat enemies (or allies), claim victory, and feel like heroes for a while.
Williams’s self-admitted addiction to online gaming helped level the playing field. Gone were the days when nerds were merely seen as 40-something men living in their mothers' basements. He showed the world another side of the online gamer, and it was a two-way street. For non-gamers, it was eye-opening to see an accomplished man with a family and career dive deep into a fantasy world that seemed strange to anyone not immersed in it. And for gamers, he was the successful family man who, while starring on the big screen, was also navigating the latest Call of Duty campaign, bridging the gap. Though the divide between hardcore and casual gamers will always exist, Williams brought a refreshing sense of equality—reminding everyone that the person on the other side of the screen is human. He also had a long-standing love for other games, including Legend of Zelda. (If you haven’t seen the commercials above yet, go watch them now.)
8. Good Morning, Vietnam
The Vietnam War, even years after its official conclusion and the return of American troops, was deeply controversial and rarely well-received. Good Morning, Vietnam, released in 1987, was based on the real-life story of Robin Williams’s character, Adrian Cronauer. While the film took certain creative liberties, the real Adrian Cronauer regarded it as something truly meaningful. For the first time, he saw a portrayal of what it was like to be an American fighting in a war that lacked widespread support, and he witnessed a more accurate depiction of soldiers—who had often been seen in an unfavorable, villainous light. Cronauer—and Williams—focused on highlighting the human side of those involved, separating the individuals from the war, the cause, and the political forces behind them. It was a rare portrayal at the time, teaching us that even if we don’t support a war, we can still support the people fighting on the front lines. This sentiment mirrored Williams’s real-life friendship with Cronauer; despite vastly differing political views, their bond endured.
7. Fulfilling a Little Girl’s Final Wish
Editor's note: Here’s a light-hearted clip from Jumanji for you to enjoy.
Sometimes, the smallest actions can make the biggest difference, and they don’t have to be grand gestures to have a profound impact. In 2004, Make-A-Wish reached out to Robin Williams to fulfill the wish of a young girl with terminal brain cancer. Jessica Cole, diagnosed at the age of five, had one last wish: to meet her idol. When she was too ill to fly to California, Williams took it upon himself to charter a plane and cross the country to spend the day with her. The meeting was kept private, and Jessica’s father fondly recalls how the two spent their time playing cards and watching TV, with Jessica finding strength in that moment. She passed away in December 2004, but her father remembers, “He laughed, and he acted like he’d known her forever.” In her memory, Williams had a redwood tree planted, reminding us all that even the smallest, most selfless acts can change someone’s life for the better.
6. Advocacy for Animal Rights
Editor's note: If you take nothing else from this list, jump to 2:15 in this video to watch Robin Williams share a tickle fight with a gorilla.
One of the most selfless things a person can do is make the world a better place for someone that can’t say the words “Thank you” or tell you how much of a difference you have really, truly made in their lives. A life-long animal rights activist, Williams had an Instagram account filled with pictures of his furry friends—including his dog Leonard, who he rescued from a New York shelter. In 2001, Williams did some work in support of the Gorilla Foundation, and during that time he got the once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet Koko, the Gorilla Foundation’s sign language–speaking gorilla. Williams was truly moved by the idea that laughter could cross the boundaries of species, and the video of him sharing laughs and tickles with the gentle giant is truly moving. Koko remembered the meeting, too, noticeably saddened by the news of his death.
Williams also did a number of videos and short spots to raise awareness about a variety of animal issues, including the widespread slaughter of dolphins in Japan and the plight of those aquatic mammals that survive, only to be condemned to a life in a zoo. He was part of a PBS documentary called In the Wild—Dolphins With Robin Williams and also spent time volunteering with local branches of the Humane Society, posing for calendars to benefit Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, and talking about his vegan lifestyle.
5. The Birdcage
In retrospect, there’s a lot about The Birdcage that seems campy, overdone, or even a little bit crass. The story of a gay couple who are trying to pretend to be straight in order to make a good impression on their son’s strictly conservative future in-laws can, at best, be described as something of a dated premise. But when put in the context of the time—the movie came out in 1996—it was little short of groundbreaking. Sure, the characters, played by Williams and Nathan Lane, were over the top and at the head of a cast of stereotypes, but look beyond that and you’ll find nothing short of a movie that’s dealing with the dynamics found in most of our families. It’s about the need to conform to a standard, to get along with people you might not necessarily agree with even if you are stuck with them at the holidays. At the time, a movie featuring the story of such an openly gay couple dealing with ordinary, everyday family problems was all but unheard of. To take on such a role was a massive leap of faith, one that showed just where Williams placed his values. Even today, there’s a lasting love of Williams, Lane, and The Birdcage at the filming location that it helped put back on the map. After hearing the news of Williams’s death, fans gathered at the South Florida hotel, The Carlyle, where a portrait of Williams sits on the front porch. They shared stories of how the movie touched them, how it was one of the first public, silver-screen statements that let them know that it was all right to be who they were inside, and how it still gives them strength.
4. Mrs. Doubtfire
Mrs. Doubtfire remains one of Robin Williams’ iconic films, widely praised yet also critiqued. However, it ultimately resonated with a specific audience, delivering a crucial message about divorce and the enduring connection between parents and children. The house where Mrs. Doubtfire was filmed has since become an unexpected site of memorials for Williams, now owned by a plastic surgeon specializing in transgender operations. Every family going through a divorce faces unique challenges, but when children are involved, explaining the situation becomes incredibly difficult. Divorce and the accompanying changes often feel beyond a child's grasp, yet many children of divorce found solace in Mrs. Doubtfire. Beneath the comedy, the film conveyed a truth that resonated with many. The final scene emphasized that, though families may come in all forms, love is the most important thing. While many films about divorce offer sugar-coated happy endings, where families reunite and parents fall back in love, the reality is often different, and that honest portrayal has given hope to many children. It told them that the situation wasn’t their fault and it was okay—in a way that they could relate to. For those children, the house in Mrs. Doubtfire was their own.
3. The Everyday Kindness of an Everyday Man
A constant theme in the tributes to Robin Williams is his overwhelming kindness. In a world where fame and fortune often breed self-absorption, the stories of Williams' compassion offer a rare glimmer of hope. He wasn’t just a celebrity—he was a man who made time to visit hospitals and bring joy. Nurses at the University of California-San Francisco recall him visiting every Christmas to give presents to sick children. He also dedicated time to fundraising for a Ronald McDonald House, and he would frequently call the ill boy who inspired it, just to cheer him up.
Williams also paid tribute to the real-life teacher who inspired his role in Dead Poets’ Society—a teacher who fought his own battles with depression. Many who encountered Williams share similar stories—like Lisa Jakub, who portrayed his daughter in Mrs. Doubtfire. When Jakub was expelled for missing school during filming, she was devastated and turned to Williams for support. He wrote a heartfelt letter to the school asking for her to be reinstated; though it didn’t work, Jakub says it taught her a valuable lesson. She realized there would always be people on her side, and that even in failure, what mattered was giving her best effort. She now knows the importance of expressing gratitude in the moment, because you never know when someone might be taken away, or how much it might mean to hear those words.
2. USO
The United Service Organization's mission is to offer support and relief to the men and women who leave behind their families and friends to defend the United States. Serving in foreign lands can be a grueling experience, often filled with more hardship than joy. Robin Williams participated in six USO tours during his career, performing for more than 90,000 troops in Afghanistan, Iraq, Qatar, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, and Kuwait—across 13 countries. He performed even in the harshest of circumstances, such as in Baghdad in 2003, ensuring that if any troops missed his show, he would do everything in his power to reach them and share a moment of laughter. Countless military personnel recall how his performances gave them their first real laughs in ages, offering moments of human connection and comfort far from home, showing how much a hug, a handshake, and a laugh can mean in times of stress and separation.
There have been many comparisons between Williams's portrayal of Adrian Cronauer in Good Morning, Vietnam and his real-life efforts with the military. These acts of service resulted not only in formal acknowledgments of thanks and condolences from the US military and President Barack Obama but also in an outpouring of gratitude from veterans who met him. His visits were reminders that it’s still possible to laugh even during the toughest times.
1. Comic Relief and Charity Work
In 1986, Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, and Bob Zmuda founded Comic Relief, a campaign to raise awareness and funds for America’s homeless population. Over the 12 years it ran, Comic Relief raised more than $50 million, with 100 percent of the funds going directly to its cause. But the impact wasn’t just financial—it also fostered awareness and led to the creation of programs that helped countless individuals get back on their feet.
Zmuda credited Williams as the driving force behind where the money from Comic Relief went, especially since it was a cause that Williams felt deeply about, considering his own privileged background. Zmuda recalls Williams always being at the forefront of any charity initiative, often without the charity itself even knowing. In 2004, Williams staged three comedy shows in Seattle, donating all the proceeds from each performance to the Seattle Food Bank without prior notice or consultation. By the end of the three shows, he had donated nearly $50,000. Beyond the money, Williams spent valuable time with food bank volunteers, many of whom struggled with addiction and depression. For them, meeting Williams wasn’t just an encounter—it was a moment that gave them the most important gift: hope.
