Robin Williams named the greatest comedian of all time: “He is the king of that”
Greatness has to come from somewhere, and for many in showbusiness, it’s shaped by the artists who inspired their craft and decision to enter such an unpredictable industry. Robin Williams, meanwhile, is widely considered one of the greatest comedic actors of all time, with decades of leading and supporting roles in films like The Fisher King, Birdcage, and Good Will Hunting. He had a rare ability to rip your heart out and piece it back together through laughter.
His improvisational skills were legendary in the industry, with his co-stars and colleagues never quite knowing where he would take a scene, with an infectious level of charisma that elevated the colour and humour of any scene. Williams was the very definition of a scene stealer, something that he perhaps learned from someone else in the business who possessed a similar ability to be unpredictable and completely captivating.
While Williams is known for his roles on screen, starring in a range of dramatic and light-hearted films that showcased his talents as a natural-born entertainer, the actor was also notorious for his in-person skits and jokes that would add life to any talk show or interview. People could never quite predict his next move, with an intensely watchable quality as you become mesmerised by his presence.
Despite the fact that this seems effortless and innate to Williams, he described the impact of one comedian on his stage persona and way he would establish a rapport with the audience, citing the work of Richard Pryor and his legendary stand-up sets.
Pryor is seen as one of the most influential comedians of all time, with a free-flowing storytelling style and electric presence on stage. As well as this, the performer forged a career on screen too, bearing more similarities to Williams than you might think. But it was Pryor’s ability to engage with the audience and bring them into the performance that most fascinated Williams.
When describing the impact on his own performing style, Williams said, “I was just envious of other people’s daring. Like Richard Pryor’s ability to be so bold in talking about himself. Total candor. Now he’s this fragile man. I’ve seen him go on stage and people start yelling shit and he doesn’t know how to respond to them. Where in the old days he’d go, ‘Fuck me. Go away, motherfucker! Blow me! Suck my dick! I’ll put it out here, bring your little dumb ass….’ One night, about five years ago, he went on, Eddie Murphy went on and I went on, and Richard was kicking again, it was great. When he kicks, there’s no one in the world better. No one has ever done what he does. He is the king of that. He did the best performance movie. And his stand-up, he set the rules. Then destroyed the boundaries”.
Perhaps it is the destruction of boundaries that made him so compelling and entertaining, with everyone sitting on the edge of their seat to hear an unexpected punchline or ending to a skit. This is something that Williams most certainly carried into his own work, becoming equally as unforgettable as his hero.
