The world lost one of its greatest comedic legends with Robin Williams’ passing last week. As a man and an actor who was able to communicate both incredible happiness and poignant loss in the same scene—and reassure fans that both emotions were perfectly OK—Williams helped bring up a generation of kids through his work, including many of us here at Washington University. Here, Cadenza remembers five of Williams’ most impactful films.

“Dead Poets Society”

Before “Dead Poets Society,” I had only seen a comedic Robin Williams. I could watch the Genie sing and Mrs. Doubtfire baby-sit all day, but my favorite Williams roles are his serious turns. As an inspirational professor at a stuffy, conservative boarding school, Williams’ John Keating is full of unbridled passion, with the actor’s trademark whimsy still injected into the performance. Whether he’s expounding upon the virtues of poetry or encouraging his students to “seize the day,” Williams-as-Keating is the ideal English teacher for any high school student viewing “Dead Poets Society” for the first time. I wanted my teacher to take us outside for active classes and spurn our textbook, to inspire me and give meaningful life advice.

The movie’s ending—no spoilers here—seems a horrible foreshadowing now, and I’m sure that the next time I re-watch the film, more tears will flow. In one of the film’s most memorable scenes, Williams quotes Walt Whitman: “The powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.” The play will go on post-Williams, and I will keep re-reading his verse.

‑ Zach Kram

“Aladdin”

Although Disney is known for its multitude of larger-than-life characters, none are bigger (literally) than Williams’ Genie in the original “Aladdin” (1992). Williams played the role of a wise mentor figure in “Aladdin” for neither the first nor last time, but with a silly twist as the helpful-but-goofy Genie who bargains for freedom from the lamp to which he has been confined for thousands of years.

Williams’ performance in “Aladdin” proved that he was more than a bouncy physical comedian—he was able to command audiences using just his wide range of vocal intonations. Williams’ iconic song, “Friend Like Me,” proved its merits beyond the Disney realm when it was nominated for both an Oscar and a Golden Globe. Hopefully, children will continue to sing this song as the years go on and, with it, learn about Robin Williams and his amazing career. After all, to the children of our generation, he wasn’t just a famous actor. As he popped out of our screens and made us laugh, he was one of our very first friends.

‑ Kimberly Henrickson

“Good Will Hunting”

Robin Williams was nominated for four Academy Awards in his legendary career and in1998 finally earned a Best Supporting Actor Oscar in his final nomination for his role in “Good Will Hunting.” In the part of Dr. Sean Maguire, Williams’ calm and disciplined demeanor, coupled with the character’s authoritative-yet-intimate personality, allowed the therapist to relate with Will, the protagonist, and millions of the film’s viewers.

As Williams, accompanied by a graying beard, delivered a monologue while sitting on the park bench, he was the epitome of a wise man, having experienced both extraordinary and devastating events throughout his life. The performance seemed to have clicked with many who have gone through traumatic experiences or have helped others through tough times, as the passion Williams shows is extremely moving.  

– Tyler Friedman

“Jumanji”

It’s hard to imagine that when “Jumanji” came out in 1995, some Wash. U. students hadn’t even been born yet. As Alan Parrish, the man trapped in the diabolical game for 26 years after a round gone wrong, Williams leads his teammates (including a teeny Kirsten Dunst in her breakout role) on a quest to finally complete Jumanji and reverse the carnage he brought about as a child. Although the film may have been advertised as a lighthearted Robin Williams-backed caper, for many of our generation, “Jumanji” was one of the first true horror films we subjected ourselves to. Who can forget the rhino stampedes, crocodile-infested floods or Van Pelt, the big-game hunter who haunted nightmares for years to come?

Throughout the heart-stopping ride, Williams was there to provide viewers with his calming screen presence or a trademark quip to remind us that the monsters under the bed could always be banished by the light. The film not only taught us to avoid any board games that come with their own ominous drumbeat soundtrack, but most importantly it cemented Williams’ leading role in the cinematic upbringing of a generation.

– Kayla Hollenbaugh

“Mrs. Doubtfire”

I wasn’t born when “Mrs. Doubtfire” came out, so I can’t say that I saw it in theaters and it changed my life forever, but “Mrs. Doubtfire” did mark an important time in my childhood along with a little realization about families. My elementary school best friend introduced me to the film, and we would sit in her family room and watch as Robin Williams transformed into the female nanny in order to be close to his children. We would put the movie in after school while we set up Polly Pockets or Barbie Dolls and have it play in the background as we learned to tell our own stories. It was funny and warm while still dealing truthfully with divorce, and scenes from “Mrs. Doubtfire”—Mrs. Doubtfire dancing while vacuuming, Williams trying on different noses in order to find the best disguise or the moment he’s discovered—have stuck with me throughout the years and are always intermixed with my own feelings of security and contentment.

“Mrs. Doubtfire” made me laugh, as Robin Williams always managed to do, but it also showed me another example of family. This movie was a reminder that families are different. Some families, like mine, have parents who are still married, but other families, like the Hillards, were no longer together. No matter your family situation, “Mrs. Doubtfire” made it clear that there can always be a “family in your heart.” While it may be a little cheesy and a little simplistic, as a kid, sometimes that’s what you needed.

– Elena Wandzilak