[I560]It Just Comes Natural

He’s cute, adorable, charming and has a great sense of humor. He’s an actor and comedian and he’s good at both. Let’s face it, among the current comedians on television and the movies, Robin Williams is one of the top choices of viewers. Since earning his popularity in the 1970s, his name has never lost its sparkle.

Comedy comes oh so natural for this man, although he’s outstanding, too, as a serious actor. But well, it’s always the funny side that we love best because of the light and happy feeling that we get when we can laugh our hearts out. Did you know that Robin Williams’ interest in comedy began at a very young age? Being an only child, he spent more time alone developing his imagination and entertaining himself by memorizing the comedy records of Jonathan Winters. He also developed his quick humor as a defense mechanism against the constant teasing of classmates in the private schools that he attended. His funny side continued to show even until high school during which he was voted as the funniest person.

The actor’s penchant for comic relief never waned after high school. Although he was taking up political science in college, he also engaged in improvisational comedy. However, it’s interesting to note that Williams actually underwent formal training in drama initially at Marin College in California and later on at Juilliard. On the side, he worked as a mime to support his education. Eventually, he became a standup comedian at the Club Circuit after leaving the art school.

Robin got his first big break as a comedian after appearing in L.A.’s Comedy Store. That lucky appearance led to a regular gig on Laugh-In. He was later cast as a crazy space alien named Mork from Ork on one episode of Happy Days. The audience loved his portrayal of Mork’s character that producer Garry Marshall decided to give Williams his very own sitcom entitled “Mork and Mindy" which ran on TV for four years from 1978 to 1982. Of course, the show was a great success and catapulted Williams to fame making him one of the most popular comedians of the 1970’s and 1980’s together with Richard Pryor and Billy Crystal.

On the big screen, Williams’s first title role was that of Popeye in 1980. What followed were several films, both comic and serious ones. However, it was the 1987 film “Good Morning, Vietnam" that made him famous as a movie actor. His role as real-life deejay Adrian Cronauer who was based in Saigon in the 1960’sbrought out the best of Williams’ talent in both comedy and drama. He sure did impressed viewers with his hilarious comedy routines as a radio disc jockey and got their sympathy with his dramatic scenes outside of the radio station. It was no surprise that his great performance earned him an Oscar nomination for best actor.

Robin Williams had several other comedy films that were big hits like Mrs. Doubtfire in 1993 and The Bird Cage in 1995. He had a number of more serious films, too, but fans wanted him back on the comic trail. In 2006, he returned to what he does best – making people laugh – with roles in the comedy films RV and Man of the Year. This year 2007, reports have it that Williams is set to do four movies.

Unless you don’t know yet, Williams has actually recorded three comedy albums and has emceed Comic Relief, a yearly televised benefit for the homeless, since the 1980s. And as if that’s not enough accomplishments, just last January 9, Robin won the People’s Choice Award for Funniest Male Star. In a short speech, he thanked his mother and his idols in comedy George Carlin, Jonathan Winters and Richard Pryor.

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