From Mork to Madman: Robin Williams’ Most Memorable TV Appearances
With the news of Robin Williams' death on Aug. 11, the world mourns the loss of a beloved actor and comedian whose career spanned nearly 40 years.
While he is best known for such blockbuster films as Good Morning, Vietnam, Mrs. Doubtfire, The Birdcage and Aladdin, he got his start in TV (by way of stand-up comedy) as the quirky Mork From Ork. Here are some of his most memorable small-screen appearances over the years.
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‘Happy Days’
Williams' big break came in the form of a two-episode appearance on Happy Days in 1978 and 1979, where his character Mork — an alien from the planet Ork — originated. (The then-unknown actor landed the role by sitting on his head during his audition with series creator Garry Marshall.) Originally planned as a one-off gig, Williams stole the show in the episode "My Favorite Orkan," earning him a encore ("Mork Returns") and his own spinoff, Mork & Mindy.
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‘Mork and Mindy’
With his manic improvisational skills on full display, Williams became a household name while starring on this kooky sitcom, which aired for four seasons starting in 1978 and co-starred Pam Dawber. The indelible role — which featured Mork's trademark rainbow suspenders, Vulcan-like hand gesture and greeting of "Na-Nu Na-Nu" — earned Williams his first Emmy nomination and first Golden Globe win.
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‘Saturday Night Live’
Who could forget Williams' spot-on impersonation of President Ronald Reagan on SNL in 1986? The comedian appeared on the late-night comedy series numerous times, hosting three times and making several cameos over the years. Plus everyone from Martin Short and Jimmy Fallon to Jon Hamm have all impersonated him on the show.
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‘Friends’
In 1997, Williams and longtime collaborator Billy Crystal made an off-the-cuff cameo on the popular must-see-TV sitcom, coinciding with their film Father's Day, which opened the day after the episode aired. Their roles as fighting friends Tomas and Tim were ad-libbed because they weren't included in the original script — the actors just-so-happened to be in the same building the day the episode was shot.
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The Oscars
When the song "Blame Canada," from 1999's South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, got nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song, Williams stepped up to the plate to sing it at the esteemed telecast — even though it controversially contained the word "fuck" (during which Williams turned his back to the camera to avoid actually dropping the F-bomb). But it wasn't Williams' biggest splash on the awards show: he hosted the ceremony in 1986 (alongside Alan Alda and Jane Fonda), was nominated four times and even won once, for 1997's Good Will Hunting.
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Comic Relief, 1986-2010
Williams got his start as a standup comic — something he continued to cultivate throughout his career, including his long-running involvement with the almost-annual charity event Comic Relief, which he always co-hosted alongside Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg. Founded in 1986, the televised benefit made its last appearance in 2010, having raised more than $50 million for distribution to homeless Americans over the years. The highlight was always Williams riffing with his cohorts, whether it was providing dialogue for a lip-syncing Crystal or indulging in a well-choreographed aerobics dance routine.