Larger-Than-Life Facts About Robin Williams, A Tormented Genius
With a career spanning decades, many of us grew up with Robin Williams. Whether it was Mork & Mindy, Dead Poets Society, or Jumanji, Williams’ frenetic charm and his ability to jump between the hilarious and the heart-wrenching made him an unforgettable part of our lives. When we lost Robin Williams, we lost a little bit of brightness in the world, but we’ll never forget the laughter and joy he brought us. However, there’s so much more to Williams’ story than his most memorable parts or his tragic end—and these facts are proof.
1. He Was A Poor Little Rich Kid
The bombastic Robin Williams we came to know and love was a far cry from the shy kid who grew up in Chicago. For one, Williams was a bit lost in his blended family—each of his parents had a child from a previous marriage.
On top of that, both his mother and father worked hard to maintain the family’s affluence and privilege.
Williams was quiet and reserved as a child—but he soon figured out an easy shortcut to get the attention he desperately craved.
2. He Did It For Love And Attention
When he was still just a kid, Williams figured out that he could make his mother laugh to get her attention. Really, the rest is history. He soon became the class clown at school, and at home, he bonded with the family’s maid—often the only person around for him to talk to. But, at the same time, his bold sense of humor hid a well of pain.
The lack of attention from his parents hurt him much more than he let on—and as time passed, the pain only grew and intensified. Williams, however, was adept at hiding it.
3. He Had To Fight For Himself
Unfortunately, Willams’ father Robert’s job demanded more than just his time. When Robin was just 12, the whole family moved to Michigan for Robert’s work. Williams lost all his friends and had to start over again at a new school.
While he built himself up again, eventually joining the wrestling and soccer teams and becoming class president, it didn’t come easily for him.
The other kids picking on him was a problem, as was a struggle with dyslexia. Williams fought for everything he got in school—an experience that would repeat itself when he got into the world of showbiz later on.
4. His Life Changed Overnight
Robin Williams had dealt with having his whole life upended before—so when his father decided to retire early and move the family to California, 16-year-old Robin took a deep breath and prepared for another struggle at a new school. But this time, he was in for a massive surprise. His new school was nothing like the stuffy private institution he went to in Michigan.
This was, after all, California in the 60s. Williams even recalls having a teacher who dropped acid at work. The freeform environment was just what he needed, and he developed even more into the man we’d come to know from TV and movies.
