Comedy legend Robin Williams left this world far too soon. In 2014, the world lost an icon who brought us some of the best films in cinematic history.
The Oscar winner, best known for his roles in Good Will Hunting and Mrs. Doubtfire, made his mark not only on comedic films but also on the film industry as a whole.
First recognized as a stand-up comedian, the late Robin Williams became one of the most successful comedic actors of all time (Credit: Future Image / Startraksphoto)
Let’s look a little bit more at his last two roles before his death, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb and Absolutely Anything.
Robin Williams in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014)
Night at the Museum is a film franchise starring Ben Stiller, who plays a nighttime guard at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
While on the job, Steller learns that there is much more than meets the eye. At night, when all of the visitors have left the museum, the exhibits come to life.
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb is dedicated to Robin Williams and Mickey Rooney, who both passed away before the film’s release in 2014 (Credit: 20th Century Fox)
In the first, second, and third Night at the Museum films, Robin Williams plays President Teddy Roosevelt. People fell in love with Williams’ fun interpretation of the American leader, and viewers enjoyed him in all three films.
Williams was a fun amalgamation of several US presidents, and his character quoted Presidents John F. Kennedy, George W. Bush, and Franklin D. Roosevelt on several occasions.
However, some of his lines almost weren’t heard because, at the time of filming, Williams was suffering from memory loss, and he was unable to remember his lines, which greatly affected his attitude while on set.
Robin Williams played Theodore Roosevelt, the wax sculpture of the 26th President of the United States, in the Night at the Museum film series (Credit: 20th Century Fox)
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb is the last live-action film that Robin Williams acted in.
Robin Williams as a Voice Actor for Absolutely Anything (2015)
Robin Williams had a very recognizable voice, making it fitting that he lent it to some iconic films over the years. He was in both Happy Feet and Happy Feet Two, but his most iconic animated role was as the Genie in Aladdin.
Fans were able to hear Wiliams’ voice one last time in Absolutely Anything. Though this wasn’t an animated film, Williams was only heard and not seen as he played Dennis the dog.
Absolutely Anything, top-billed by Simon Pegg, was the final film to star Robin Williams, released in the United Kingdom in August 2015, a year after his death (Credit: Lionsgate)
The film also starred Simon Pegg and Kate Beckinsale, and Williams shared that he was excited about the role because he had always wanted to star alongside Pegg.
Although it was just a voice-over role, the filming experience was still highly enjoyable for Williams as he got to star alongside all five living Monty Python actors in the first film they had starred in together since they filmed The Meaning of Life.
Robin Williams lent his voice to Dennis the Dog in Absolutely Anything (Credit: Lionsgate)
Another reference to the comedy iconography, Williams’ character’s name, Dennis, was a nod to a name that has been used in several different Monty Python sketches, like Dennis Moore and Dennis the Oppressed, for instance. The name is also an homage to Simon Pegg’s character in another movie of his.
Even in his last two films, everyone’s favorite comedic actor gave memorable performances. Though Robin Williams is gone, his legacy lives on through his seminal work in comedy, and he’ll be remembered for generations to come.