With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Watch Robin Williams' Best Stand-Up Routines And Improvisations
Robin Williams kisses the hand of an U.S. Army soldier while entertaining the troops on October 18, 2002 at Bagram military base in Bagram, Afghanistan. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)
Robin Williams was an award-winning actor, but maintained his one-of-a-kind stand-up throughout his career. His standup started to take off in the late '70s while he was portraying Mork the alien on TV. His signature mania on stage combined with a natural skill for improvising on the fly garnered him a lot of attention and fans. He was also good with impressions and dialects, and was able to switch through a number of characters and concepts at a rapid pace.
Three HBO comedy specials, the highly praised show Robin Williams: Live on Broadway, his 2008 tour 'Weapons of Self Destruction' and countless appearances and cameos kept the showman in the public eye during his decades-long career.
In Robert Byrne’s The Fourth—And By Far the Most Recent—637 Best Things Anybody Has Ever Said, Williams is quoted as having said, "Death is nature's way of saying, 'Your table is ready.'"
Flowers will be placed on his star on Hollywood Blvd’s Walk of Fame tomorrow morning at 9:25 a.m. But for now, here are some of Willams’ stand-up clips and appearances, including his emotional acceptance speech for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1997 for Good Will Hunting.
Sponsored message
Williams on HBO in 1977:
Williams' first appearance on Johnny Carson in 1981:
Here he is discussing drugs and alcohol:
Here he is winning Best Supporting Actor for "Good Will Hunting" in 1998:
Sponsored message
Williams improvises on the spot for This is Set List:
Williams helps out Matt Damon on Jimmy Kimmel:
Williams doing what he does best on Ellen: lots of accents:
Williams ponders the construction of the human body in his comedy special "Weapons of Self Destruction:"
Sponsored message
Williams discusses the difference between "Dogs and Cats" on the special:
On alcoholics:
On fundamentalism:
Sponsored message
And, finally, on golf:
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
