Top 10 Robin Williams Quotes That Will Make You Miss Him Even More
#10: “There Must Be Some Reason That I Am As I Am”
“Bicentennial Man” (1999) In this film from the turn of the century, we meet Williams as a robot named Andrew who works as a servant, but is curious about mortality and his purpose in the world. Throughout the film, he explores this while slowly becoming more and more human. Even though he starts out with the purpose of helping a family with household chores, he soon realizes he wants more out of life, and explores the idea of his own destiny. While other actors like Tim Allen were considered for this role, we can’t imagine anyone else playing this lovable robot on a search for his place in the world.
#9: “Words and Ideas Can Change the World”
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“Dead Poets Society” (1989) In Peter Weir’s celebrated teen drama, Williams plays John Keating, an unconventional English teacher at a fancy prep school. This movie is filled with captivating quotes from Keating, as well as a number of real life poets. Mr. Keating tries to convince his students of the importance of appreciating literature, even those who are more interested in pursuing other fields. His insistence that words can lead to change opens up a new world of artistic freedom to them. Even though this movie is over three decades old, this message still rings true to aspiring writers today.
#8: “Do You Mind If I Try Something?’”
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Robin Williams was well known for his ability to come up with different characters and voices, and his role as the Genie in “Aladdin” helped him to showcase his extraordinary talent. In an interview with The Telegraph, he said that the genie was meant to be a few lines but he asked “Do you mind if I try something?” He added: “I emerged, 22 hours later, with a stream-of-consciousness improvisation in 41 characters.” It’s clear that without his dedication to his craft, the genie we know and love would have been very different. We’re happy that we got to see the Genie that Williams’ envisioned, as we ain’t never had a friend like him.
#7: “The Worst Thing in Life ...”
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“World’s Greatest Dad” (2009) This black comedy was one of Williams’ last films, and given the subject matter and Williams’ own fate five years later, it’s a tough one to rewatch. After Lance’s son Kyle dies in an embarrassing accident, Williams tells everyone he took his own life and writes fake journal entries, pretending they’re from Kyle. This wins Lance the attention he’s always wanted, but of course, the truth eventually comes out. After the reveal, we hear this impactful quote about life and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. Lance discovers through the film that he was better off alone than with people who made him feel that way.
#6: “Make Your Life Spectacular. I Know I Did”
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“Jack” (1996) In Francis Ford Coppola’s coming-of-age film, Williams’ character Jack gives us this classic quote about making the most of your life. Due to Werner syndrome, Jack ages four times faster than his peers, making him appear like an adult while he’s still in school. This is another perfect role for Williams, as he essentially plays an adult with the personality and wonder of a child. At his high school graduation at the end of the film, Jack’s body is now elderly, and during his valedictory address he talks about how short our time on Earth is, and how important it is to live life to the fullest.
#5: “Do You Know What Music Is?”
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“August Rush” (2007) Williams plays Maxwell "Wizard" Wallace in this musical drama, an eccentric musician who takes in kids and turns them into street performers. When the film’s protagonist, Evan, first meets Wizard, the latter utters this line about the power of music. Wizard has selfish motives for doing what he does, but what he says about music still rings true. This quote also packs a punch as we know that Williams was musically inclined in real life as well. We saw this through his performance as the Genie, and as Ramon in “Happy Feet,” where he sings a Spanish rendition of “My Way.”
#4: “That’s the Good Stuff”
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“Good Will Hunting” (1997) There are a lot of insightful conversations that take place between Williams’ character Sean, a psychologist, and Matt Damon’s character Will, a natural genius, in “Good Will Hunting.” One of the film’s most memorable moments comes when Sean talks about relationships and regrets – and how bad times allow us to recognize the good ones. But, their discussion about love and imperfection stands out even more. As Will tells Sean about his new love interest, Sean tells a story about the funny things he remembers about his wife. Williams was actually improvising here, and it brought incredible depth and authenticity to the exchange. You can actually see the camera shaking here, as even the cameraperson falls into a fit of laughter.
#3: “Poetry, Beauty, Romance, Love: These Are What We Stay Alive For”
“Dead Poets Society” (1989) Of all of the inspirational words spoken by Robin Williams as John Keating, this line is the one that sticks with you after the credits roll. It is also this quote that motivates his students to explore art and poetry, and to revive the Dead Poets' Society. Rather than conforming to their parents’ wishes for them, and focusing only on disciplines that will lead to prestigious careers, they start creating their own paths. As John Keating so eloquently quotes to his students, “the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse” – and it’s quite a verse that Williams contributed here.
#2: “Death Is Not the Enemy, Gentlemen”
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“Patch Adams” (1998) In this biographical comedy-drama, Williams plays a medical student who struggles with depression, and treats the sick by making them laugh. In hindsight, it’s another bittersweet rewatch. In the climax of the movie, Patch must defend what he’s been doing to the state medical board. Confronted with his unconventional methods - and his lack of a medical license - he explains his philosophy on life and death. He argues that it’s important to treat a person rather than an illness, and to focus on improving someone’s quality of life.
#1: “You’re Only Given a Little Spark of Madness”
“Robin Williams: Off the Wall” (1978) Our favourite Robin Williams’ quote comes from early in his career, when he was doing stand-up and had barely started as an actor. But, it is this quote that defines who he would become as a performer and a person. In the comedy routine where he says this iconic line, he talks about how you have to preserve that little spark of craziness inside you. Of course, it’s exactly this that made him so memorable. It’s the spark that Williams shared with everyone in his performances, whether as a radio DJ, an animated genie, or as a father disguised as a housekeeper!
