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Robin Williams

At the time of his graduation in 1969, Robin Williams was voted “Most Likely Not to Succeed” and “Funniest” by his classmates.

Few people have known of comedy, as well as Robin Williams. His frantic energy, unreserved passion, and youthful demeanor could have made anyone smile, and we adored him for it. But did you know what his classmates thought of him?

Robin Williams, the comedy genius, spent his final high school years in California. On his graduation in 1969, he was voted “Most Likely Not to Succeed” and “Funniest.”

Who is Robin Williams? 

Robin McLaurin Williams, an actor, and comedian was born on July 21, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois. Williams attended Claremont Men’s College and College of Marin before enrolling at the Juilliard School in New York City and becoming one of America’s funniest performers. He met and became friends with fellow actor Christopher Reeve, with whom he shared a room. Williams later tried his hand at comedy in San Francisco and Los Angeles, where he developed a successful stand-up routine.

Williams went on to have a string of successful film roles that showcased his stellar comedic talents and his ability to take on serious work. In 1982’s The World According to Garp, he played the title character and a Russian musician who defected to America in Moscow on the Hudson (1984). Williams later portrayed irreverent radio DJ Adrian Cronauer in Good Morning Vietnam (1987) and free-thinking teacher John Keating in Dead Poets Society (1989). Both projects landed him Academy Award nominations for best lead actor. (Source: Factinate

Starting Comedies at a Church

Robin Williams returned to his hometown of San Francisco after leaving Juilliard, but he couldn’t find work as an actor. Then he saw an advertisement for a comedy workshop in a church and decided to try it.

So I went to this workshop in the basement of a Lutheran church, and it was stand-up comedy, so you don’t get to improvise with others, but I started off doing, ostensibly, it was just like improvising but solo. Then I started to realize, ‘Oh.’ I started building an act from there.

Robin Williams, Actor

(Source: Factinate

Why Did Robin Williams Choose Comedy? 

The bombastic Robin Williams we came to know and love was a far cry from the shy Chicago kid. For one thing, Williams felt a little lost in his blended family, as both of his parents had children from previous marriages. Furthermore, his mother and father worked hard to keep the family’s wealth and privilege.

Williams was quiet and reserved as a child, but he soon discovered an easy way to get the attention he craved.

Williams discovered that he could make his mother laugh to get her attention when he was a child. The rest, as they say, is history. At school, he quickly became the class clown, and at home, he bonded with the family’s maid, who was often the only person around for him to talk to. At the same time, his brash sense of humor concealed a well of pain.

His parents’ lack of attention hurt him far more than he admitted, and the pain only grew and intensified over time. Williams, on the other hand, was skilled at concealment. (Source: Factinate
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