The movie Robin Williams only made for the money: “Because it pays the bills”
Robin Williams was one of the most sincere and gracious performers of all time, possessing a unique ability to devastate audiences with a single smile and leave people roaring with laughter through his improvised one-liners. Whether it be his infectiously upbeat voice work in Aladdin or the lasting impact of his weathered character in Good Will Hunting, Williams remains one of the most talented and humble actors of all time, committed to entertainment and spreading joy no matter what.
While many actors hide their motivations or selection process when choosing a project, Williams was never jaded by the Hollywood bullshit and normalised level of deception, opting for honesty and humility when discussing his work and the true reasons behind some of his less successful work.
Despite what some people may think, acting isn’t always the most stable of professions, even for people at the top of the industry. While famous actors are by no means poor, the business does not work in the same way as it used to, and people generally have to work more consistently to maintain financial stability and the glamorous lifestyles they are accustomed to. In the past, residual cheques and DVD sales were often enough to sustain an income. However, now that this isn’t a valid source of income after streaming services wreaked havoc on the industry, actors sometimes have to accept projects that they otherwise would turn down if it allows them to pay the bills.
While some actors might lie on a press tour and fake enthusiasm for a project that is less-than brilliant, Williams was always frank about his reasons for working on something that didn’t reflect the full range of his talents or creative interests. Most notably, he starred alongside John Travolta in Old Dogs in 2009, directed by Walt Becker.
The film follows Charlie and Dan, who have been best friends and business partners for many years. However, when their PR company is on the verge of a huge deal with a Japanese company, Dan’s life is thrown into chaos after a woman he drunkenly married turns up on his doorstep with his twin children, who he has to look after for 14 days. The pair of misfit partners are then tasked with caring for the rugrats while trying to orchestrate the biggest deal of their careers, leading to a substantial amount of chaos.
Old Dogs was generally met quite poorly, with people questioning why two esteemed actors would sign onto such a project. However, Williams gave a frank response to this, saying, “People ask, ‘Why did you make Old Dogs? Because it pays the bills. You’re just out of rehab. Good luck. You’ve got to get out there.”
It’s refreshing to hear someone in the public eye speak so openly about their struggles and the reality of working in the business. Williams dealt with addiction for many years, and it is admirable that he put himself back out there and into the jarring Hollywood world, despite what people might have thought about the film. The actor was self-aware, deeply sensitive and emotionally intelligent, something that always shows in his work, regardless of the story.
