Many faces

Pretending to be their housekeeper so he could spend time with his kids in the wake of a bitter divorce, Williams wrung tears and laughter out of his audience. Fans were looking forward to a promised sequel before his untimely death was announced.

To read the title of this film, is to hear William’s voice booming out the words on radio. One of the most popular movies in his oeuvre earned him his first Oscar nomination and first Golden Globe. Again inspired by a true story, the film dramatized the wartime experience of Armed Forces Radio Service DJ Adrian Cronauer. The wonderful soundtrack went on to become one of the decade’s most popular. Critics hailed it as “one man’s tour de force.”

Though all you saw of him was a blue genie, Disney’s Aladdin cast Williams in one of his most memorable characters to date. Firing on all cylinders, singing and delivering some of his funniest dialogue, he was the heart of the film. Writing about it, one critic said: ‘From the speed and clarity of his rapid-fire shifts in characters to his bottomless reservoir of impersonations, Williams was the comedic equivalent of a five-octave singer.’

As the therapist who helps Will Hunting ( Matt Damon) move beyond his troubled past, Williams was once again the emotional heart of this film. His only Oscar winning performance, the movie also portrayed Williams at his most subtle and gentle, with many a quiet, memorable scene that no viewer will forget.