I, too, 'grew up' with Hook, Jumanji, and Mrs. Doubtfire. He was so, so infectious. Didn't realize his dramatic side/see the more famous serious films of his until a bit later (and were just as striking), and despite knowing of it's popularity, sorry to say I never got around to 'Vietnam' or 'What Dreams May Come'. Think I should, now. So sad how many there are out there who are struggling inside, yet just want to make others laugh… hearing lots of stories in the news now from other people in the business who talk about Robin doing things to cheer them up when they were in a rough spot.
Oh, and to also add -- even though it was just 'voice', couldn't help having Aladdin fondly in head today, too. One of favorite Disney films, and one of tiny few I remember actually knowing /who/ voiced some of the characters - either due to how much of a favorite it was and looking up, or reading about in articles (since when you're young, you often don't pay attention to those details). Plus he struck me in particular, knowing it was him and seeing that zaniness come through so strongly in the Genie, and how they even style characters after it's actor. Thought that was so cool, and so perfect for the part, especially after reading an anecdote about it's creation. Apparently the Genie was going to be more toned down/stylized, and Robin came to brainstorm with the animators. At one point, one of the workers bursts out of the room, alarmed, and exclaimed to someone else 'you won't believe what they're creating in there!' Sounds just like him… and love that they put in all the craziness, and so much of his comedic improv (he actually improvised so much they had almost 16 hours of material!).
Man… thinking about it, now I should probably also watch his stand-up too, huh? Thanks for bringing that memory to mind again...
Last edited by Russell (August 14, 2014 5:53 am)