The world woke up to a rude shock on Monday, 12th of August, 2014, when the news of Robin Williams’ unpredicted death, by hanging himself the previous day, spread like wildfire, all over the news and social media. The Academy Award-winning actor was more than just a big shot name of Hollywood. His name and his characters could always bring a sense of juvenile excitement in anyone who has grown up watching his movies.

Although he has contributed to an immense number of movies of all genres, his work in the children’s fiction has made earned him a very special place in all our hearts. Let’s look at some of his best gifts that made our childhood special, and re-watch them to comfort ourselves.

The Top 10 Robin Williams Movies:

1. Popeye (1980)

Popeye was the first major role in Williams’ career, and it won the hearts of children, all over the world. In this film inspired from E. G. Segar’s famous comic-strip, Robin plays the beloved sailor who goes in search of his father, and falls in love with the lean and lanky, Olive Oyl. Popeye even fights with Olive’s gigantic fiance, Bluto.

Who doesn’t have fond memories of the tough and salty-mouthed sailor with big arms and soft, romantic heart, who could do super-humanly strong things by eating spinach? Robin taught us a very valuable lesson: veggies give us strength. Even our parents have to thank him for making us eat our greens.

See also: 10 Must Watch Hollywood Movies Before You Get Old

2. Hook (1991)

We all know the original story of Peter Pan, the boy from Never Land, who refused to grow up. ‘Hook’ is a twist to the tale, as it narrates the story of a grown up Peter Pan with a job and family, and a permanent scowl. Peter has to remember his Never Land days to rescue his children from the grip of Captain Hook.

The shiny-eyed Robin Williams plays the role of the grown up Peter Pan and breathes into the character life, freshness and enthusiasm of a child, making the adult Peter a very endearing character for the children. It is also a go-round before bidding farewell to childhood. Williams’ performance establishes that it’s never too late to revisit the lost childhood days.

3. Aladdin (1992-1996 Robin Williams Movies Series)

The endearing, fun, silly, and yet, protective Genie, voiced by Robin Williams, is someone whom we have all wanted in our lives as a child. What would happen if you could chance upon a lamp which, when rubbed, would give rise to this very dramatic Genie, granting you wishes and making you laugh? Admit it, the thought has crossed your mind, at least once.

Robin’s revolutionary performance helped see voice-acting in a whole new light. He performed in both the 1992 film and its 1996 sequel as Genie, who also looked like a big blue version of the ever-smiling Robin, who hugely improvised the script, adding inside jokes, subtle adult gags, etc.

4. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

One of the sure choices for a classic by Robin Williams, this story is about a fun and caring by happy-go-lucky man who loses his kids’ custody in divorce, and is allowed to see them only once. In order to be in touch with his children and wife, his character, Daniel Hillard, a crazy actor specializing in dubbing, disguises as a Scottish nanny with a strict attitude but a kind heart.

His antics as the old lady, the unrecognizable make-up, the voice: every bit of the film plays to Williams’ versatility and strengths. The desperate father’s desire to be with his children wrings the heart in the middle of all the humour and surprises.

See also: Top 10 Highest Grossing Hollywood Movies of All Time

5. Jumanji (1995)

The screen adaptation of the 1981-released book of the same title might have been able to generate more terror than exhilaration among children, and it became more of a cult hit. But, Robin Williams’ performance as the 12-year old ‘grown-up’ Alan, trapped in the magical board game for 26 years, is unforgettable.

No one could have done it better than Williams, playing a man-child, and being in sync with children. While the graphics and thrill of the movie have received different kinds of reactions from people, Robin steals the show, and the hearts of children, as the straight man with amazing timing in the film.

6. Flubber (1997)

A remake of the 1961 film, The Absent-Minded Professor, Flubber is about a whimsical blob of rubbery chemical substance flying about, and its creator, Prof. Brainard, played by Robin Williams, who is so forgetful that he successfully misses he own wedding, twice.

Made as a new source of energy, the Flubber, with a mind of its own, turns out to be the source of slapstick comedy in the film. Although the movie has not been greatly reviewed, Robin emerges and the winner of our attention, as he always does.

The film is perfect for children. Like most of his films, this one, too, has something to offer to the adults: a film to watch and relax after a hard day.

7. Night at the Museum (2006-2009 Robin Williams Movies Series)

This is another of those Hollywood films that, in order to appeal to a larger mass, end up receiving mixed reviews, and another one of those averagely reviewed films of Robin Williams where he manages to steal the show.

Robin brings to life the wax model of the former President Theodore Roosevelt, and his rendition of the wise disciplinarian is a softie who fancies Sacagawea, the Lemhi Shoshone guide in the Lewis and Clark expedition, when her wax model comes to life.

He, indeed, brings alive this historical figure in the first two instalments. The third instalment of the series is set to release in the winter of 2014, but, he will not be around anymore to promote it.

8. Happy Feet (2006-2011 Robin Williams Movies Series)

As if the world of cute penguins, all singing and dancing, was not enough, Robin Williams had to add his charm to the film. Robin as hyperactive and flamboyant penguins is all that is required in a movie. Mix the two together, and you have this wonderfully enchanting movie.

Robin Williams as the voice behind the dramatic Lovelace and the romantic fool, Ramon, adds absolute distinctiveness and individuality in the two characters.

The gags and antics of Robin with his voice, prove, once again, his talent as a voice actor, in both the films of the franchise. He is hilarious as both Ramon and Lovelace, and evokes laughter, irritation, and much more, from the audience, irrespective of age.

See also: 10 Female celebrities who committed suicide

9. Other Robin Williams Movies (children’s films)

There are films that are less popular, and yet, have seen excellent performances by Robin Williams, such as the animated movies Ferngully: the Last Rainforest (1992), where he sings of the miseries of animals, or Robot (2005) where he is the decrepit Fender.

In Toys (1992), he steals every scene as the toy-making boy-man who refuses to grow up, while, in The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1989), his rendition of the angry King of the Moon with two separate minds in his head and his body is a memorable one. He always understood that the young kids make a tough audience, and did his best to please them, while providing enough fodder for the parents, too.

10. Must-watch Robin Williams Movies (for the ‘mature’ children)

Some of his best films are for the young adults, the slightly more mature minds, and for the grown-ups with doors open for new moments. Films like Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), Dead Poets Society (1989), The Fisher King (1991) or Good Will Hunting (1997) have provided, humour, sensitivity, and much more together, and have often had an undertone of melancholy.

He has broken conventions as the illegitimate son of a feminist mother in The World According to Garp (1982) and the owner of a gay bar with a drag queen domestic partner in Birdcage (1996), exciting many adverse reactions from people who are now hindering his funeral.

See also: Top 10 Comedians Who Committed Suicide

Final Thoughts

He has worked in several other films where he gave little chance to complain about, and provided us words of wisdom, moments of joy and feelings that became experiences. The man with a child-like shine in his starry eyes and an evergreen, contagious smile had fallen prey to addiction, alcoholism and depression, and was battling early stages of Parkinson’s disease.

See also: 10 Unusual Deaths of 21st Century

It is more of a shock to learn that this ever enchanting source or laughter and smile committed suicide to escape his depression. Suicide cannot be the answer to the fears, depressions, or darkness, but, in the face of all these, one does not realize it. Williams’ death should be taken as a lesson to know that depression is something that does not discriminate.

Those battling with depression and suicidal thoughts need the support, love and company of friends and family, and not their sympathy, judgment or advice. Let us take his death as Williams’ last lesson to us, and let the genie be free of all conjectures or vile opinions.

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In the field of motion picture special effects, there are few, if any, names as big as Douglas Trumbull. His groundbreaking work on seminal films such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Blade Runner earned him a spot in the pantheon of premier visual effects artists. Trumbull passed away in February 2022 at the age of 79.

While fans everywhere mourn the loss, it’s a good time to look back on the fascinating life of this unique visual artist. Here are 10 cool facts about the life of filmmaker and special effects artist extraordinaire Douglas Trumbull.

Related: 10 Movie Graphics That Looked Cool But Are Now Laughable

10 It Runs in the Family

Douglas Trumbull was born on April 8, 1942, in Los Angeles, California. Growing up near Hollywood surely gave him a leg up for eventually breaking into the industry—as did a family connection. Douglas’s father, Don Trumbull, was an aerospace engineer who also happened to work on the special effects for Star Wars (1977) and one of Hollywood’s earliest hits known for its visual effects: The Wizard of Oz (1939).

Although the senior Trumbull didn’t have another film credit until after Douglas became successful in the industry, he did later work with his son on films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Star Trek: The Motion Picture. It’s clear that the talents that make one a great visual artist run in the Trumbull family. ^[1]

9 Childhood Electronics and Building

While growing up in California, Trumbull was fascinated with how mechanical and electronic devices work. He even built his own crystal set radios. A crystal set radio is a small device that can not only pick up audio from radio signals but also power itself from the received signals.

This kind of aptitude with mechanics and electricity led him to want to pursue a career in architecture. However, his unique talents would lead him in a direction that would allow him to incorporate his other interests of outer space and science fiction films.^[2]

8 Films for NASA and the Air Force

Before he could pursue architecture, Trumbull’s illustrations of planets and spaceships caught the attention of Graphic Films, a small animation and graphic arts studio. Graphic Films was a contractor for the U.S. government, specifically NASA and the U.S. Air Force.

While employed there, Trumbull would work on documentaries and conceptual films for those agencies. Some of the films were even shot in Cinerama, a very widescreen process requiring three separate projectors to present back on a curved, wraparound movie screen. A precursor to today’s IMAX, Cinerama proved to be an exceptionally good fit for the needs of Graphic Films and NASA in explaining the agency’s future plans for space travel.^[3]

7 Ticket to the 1964 World’s Fair

One of the Cinerama productions Trumbull worked on for Graphic Films ended up playing at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. To the Moon and Beyond played at the Transportation and Travel Pavilion at the fair. The immersive Cinerama presentation promised audiences a realistic idea of space travel, a full five years before NASA put astronauts on the moon.

The film’s poster told audiences to be prepared to “be propelled on the most fantastic, incredible voyage through billions of miles of space…from its utmost outer reaches…back to the Earth itself, and into the center of the minutest atom. All through the magic of Cinerama!”^[4]

6 A Call to Kubrick

Two important visitors to the 1964 World’s Fair had a keen interest in To the Moon and Beyond. Director Stanley Kubrick and science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke were beginning pre-production work on what would become the landmark 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Impressed by the realism of To the Moon and Beyond, Kubrick hired Graphic Films as advisors and storyboard artists for his new film project.

Once Kubrick ended his relationship with Graphic Films, Trumbull took a leap of faith and cold-called Kubrick to share his ideas for how Kubrick could realize his vision. This phone call proved to be the pivotal moment in Trumbull’s career, as Kubrick then contacted Trumbull’s boss at Graphic Films and arranged for Trumbull to come to England to work on the film.^[5]

5 A Stargate Is Born

While working on 2001, the production team would eventually figure out how to turn the words on the script into the elaborate special effects the film became legendary for. The famous “Stargate” sequence, when astronaut Dave Bowman (Keir Dullea) first makes contact with alien life, was not terribly well defined when it came time to shoot it.

Trumbull recalled that the team had a vague idea about one of Jupiter’s moons that had a tunnel through which another part of the universe could be seen. However, there was no clear plan on how to take the idea from concept to reality. He noted, “It wasn’t my job to create a solution, but I was watching what others were doing, and you could see it just wasn’t working.” After finding inspiration from some “avant-garde animation films he had seen,” Trumbull developed a machine he called a “slit-scan.” The machine “moved colorful artwork behind slits while the camera moved away from the slit.” This is the scene that we see in the film today. Kubrick decided the effects worked the film and told Trumbull to “keep shooting, keep shooting.”^[6]

4 The Birth of Familiar Droids

Trumbull parlayed his success from 2001 into more Hollywood special effects jobs and, just a few years later, a chance to direct his own film, Silent Running. The story follows a botanist (Bruce Dern) in the future who has been tasked with keeping plants and animals alive until Earth is safe to inhabit again. He does this with the help of some small robots (designed by Trumbull, naturally). Viewers who have checked out Silent Running only after seeing Star Wars can’t help but notice that the robots in Silent Running wouldn’t feel out of place as droids in the Star Wars universe.

Norman Reynolds, the art director for the first Star Wars film from 1977, acknowledges this by saying, “I remember watching Silent Running for the robots.” Some of the similarities between the Silent Running robots and droids that have been noted include retractable arms, the ability to interact with computers, and built-in tools. But perhaps the biggest similarity is the beeps and whistles that the robots in both films use to communicate.^[7]

3 Directing the Shots

We mentioned before how, after coming up with how to shoot the 2001 Stargate sequence, he shot much of it himself at the urging of Kubrick. This experience, along with becoming a director in his own right, led other directors who hired Trumbull to allow him to shoot his special effects sequences.

Some of his most notable work was in 1979’s Star Trek: The Motion Picture. According to the Hollywood Reporter, director Robert Wise had Trumbull shoot the docking sequence aboard the Enterprise and Spock’s spacewalk. It’s probably no coincidence that these are two of the most highly regarded scenes in this Star Trek classic.^[8]

2 A Universal Back to the Future

When Universal Studios wanted to create a Back to the Future ride, they contracted with a company called Berkshire Ridefilm. This is one of several companies that Trumbull started and named after the Berkshire hills area of Massachusetts where he lived. Given his credentials and experience with To the Moon and Beyond and the sense of movement in the 2001 Stargate sequence, he was the ideal candidate to help Universal bring the ride to life. He directed the 4-minute film that’s a part of the ride.

Trumbull took on the job with his characteristic zeal and inventiveness, and he can be seen on YouTube talking about how he conveyed the sense of motion that is so key to the ride to the short film.^[9]

1 Saving the Planet

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill, also known as the BP oil spill, started within days of the April 20, 2010 explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. By the time the leak was under control, an estimated 3.19 million barrels of oil had leaked into the Gulf.

Ever the inventor, Trumbull took to social media with a solution concept that garnered a lot of attention at the time as a common-sense way to clean up the Gulf waters. His concept and pitch can still be seen on YouTube. In the end, no governments or BP reached out to Trumbull to follow up on the idea, but one does have to wonder if his ideas were incorporated into cleanup efforts.^[10]