Comic Relief Archives

by Aly Runke, contributing writer Terrible news has come onto the entertainment scene this evening, August 11, 2014, famed actor and comedian Robin Williams is dead. Marin County Sheriff's department confirms that they responded to a 9-1-1 emergency call and found Williams dead in his home in Tiburon, California. Although the Sheriff's department states that it appears that Williams committed suicide by asphyxiation, the official cause of death is still under investigation. He was 63 years old. Williams is remembered for many film roles throughout his lifetime, some of which spanned generations, his fans including grandparents, parents, and children. His movies reached out like that. He was always able to bring a story to life, whether sad or funny. His expertise spanned myriad genres. Nineties kids will recognize him as Genie from Disney’s Aladdin, Happy feet, Happy Feet Two, Night at the Museum, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, Robots, Flubber, Jumanji, and I could keep going. Needless to say this man has been apart of many a childhood, his movies bringing warm and comfortable feelings to audiences nationwide. And they aren’t the only ones. Like I said, his works have spanned generations. Hook, where Williams played an all-grown-up Peter Pan has been an enjoyment for audiences of all ages. He even turned down a part written for him on Star Trek: The Next Generation because he was committed to Hook. Williams’ career not only spanned generations, but genres, as well. He acted in several sci-fi television shows and movies. Mork and Mindy featured Williams as an alien trying (hilariously) to live in Colorado. But that’s not all, Williams was also in many fantasy works: The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Being Human, Jack, and again I could go on and on. One thing all of these works had was a sincerity that was simply all Williams. Every comedy act, every child’s giggle, to a wiped tear, was brought to the audience in a way only Williams could do it. Williams had his fame and the money that came with it he gave to charities worldwide. He and his first wife Marsha founded a charity, The Windfall Foundation, which gives money to a variety of different charities. Williams was also and active part of charity group, Comic Relief, along with Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg, putting on comedy shows to raise money. He has also given to Red Cross, helped in the aftermath of the 2010 Canterbury Quake, gave to cities in New Zealand, and performed for the troops over seas to keep up morale. For years he has also has supported and donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Williams was also quite the nerd in his personal life. He played video games as well as tabletop role playing games and had expressed interest in playing The Riddler in the event of the villain ever ending up in the movie franchise. The peak of his nerd-dom, however, came when he named his daughter Zelda Rae after Princess Zelda from video game The Legend of Zelda. In light of such knowledge, it has also been speculated that his son, Cody, may have also been named after a Final Fight character. Mr. Williams has given much to all of us fans and, despite his death, we will have a chance to see him on the silver screen three more times, as he has three movies in post-production; Merry Friggin’ Christmas, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, and Absolutely Anything. We at SCIFI.radio would like to extend our condolences to friends and family of Robin Williams. He will be remembered fondly and with laughter and tenderness. -30-

Tragedy Hits Hollywood: Death of Robin Williams

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