Robin Williams

Robin McLaurin Williams (July 21, 1951 - August 11, 2014) was an American actor, voice actor and stand-up comedian. His role as Mrs. Doubtfire from the 1993 comedy film of the same name was spoofed by his other role: Genie in Aladdin and its 3rd sequel Aladdin and the King of Theives.

In gratitude for his success with the Disney-produced Touchstone film Good Morning, Vietnam, Williams voiced the Genie in the Disney animated film Aladdin for SAG scale pay ($75,000), on condition that his name or image not be used for marketing, and his (supporting) character not take more than 25% of space on advertising artwork, since Toys was scheduled for release one month after Aladdin's debut. Additionally, Williams believed the character's voice was his property and did not want it to be imitated.

The studio went back on the deal on both counts, especially in poster art by having the Genie in 25% of the image, but having other major and supporting characters portrayed considerably smaller. Disney's Hyperion book, Aladdin: The Making Of An Animated Film, listed both of Williams' characters, "The Peddler" and "The Genie", ahead of main characters but was forced to refer to him only as "the actor signed to play the Genie".

Williams and Disney had a bitter falling-out, resulting in Dan Castellaneta voicing the Genie in The Return of Jafar and the Aladdin television series. Castellaneta was also hired for the feature Aladdin and the King of Thieves and had completed recording all his lines. When Jeffrey Katzenberg was fired from Disney and replaced by former 20th Century Fox production head Joe Roth (whose last act for Fox was greenlighting Williams' film Mrs. Doubtfire), Roth arranged for a public apology to Williams by Disney. Williams agreed to perform in Hollywood Pictures' Jack, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, and even agreed to voice the Genie again for the King of Thieves sequel (for considerably more than scale), replacing all of Castellaneta's dialogue.

When Williams re-teamed with Doubtfire director Chris Columbus for Touchstone Pictures' Bicentennial Man in 1999, Disney asked that the budget be cut by approximately $20 million and when the film was released on Christmas Day, it flopped at the box office. Williams blamed Disney's marketing and the loss of content the film had suffered due to the budget cuts. As a result, Williams was again on bad terms with Disney and Castellaneta was once again recruited to replace him as Genie in the Kingdom Hearts video game series and other projects. The DVD release for Aladdin has no involvement whatsoever from Williams in the bonus materials, although some of his original recording sessions can be seen.

Williams made peace with The Walt Disney Company and in 2009, he agreed to be inducted into the Disney Hall of Fame, being honored as a Disney Legend.

Death
Williams was found unconscious in his home in an unincorporated area just outside Tiburon, California, at around 11:55 AM PDT on August 11, 2014, and was pronounced dead at 12:02 PM. The Coroner Division of Marin County suspects the death to be suicide by asphyxia, pending investigation. A forensic examination and postliminary toxicology test is scheduled for August 12, 2014. According to his publicist, Williams was "battling severe depression" in the time before his death, though his publicist would not confirm the reports that the death was suicide. Police eventually announced he was found with a belt around his neck and strange cuts on his wrists and a nearby pocket knife was also found.

Williams' wife, Susan Schneider, said, "I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings. I am utterly heartbroken." Fellow Disney Legend, Steve Martin, tweeted, "I could not be more stunned by the loss of Robin Williams, mensch, great talent, acting partner, genuine soul." US President, Barack Obama, said Williams was "one of a kind," and someone who "ended up touching every element of the human spirit."

On his death, Disney CEO Robert Iger released the statement:

"We’re deeply saddened by the loss of Robin Williams, a wonderfully gifted man who touched our hearts and never failed to make us laugh.  An incredible actor and a comedic genius, Robin will always be remembered for bringing some of the world’s favorite characters to life, from his zany alien on ABC’s Mork & Mindy to the irascible genie in Disney’s Aladdin.  He was a true Disney Legend, a beloved member of our family, and he will be sorely missed.  We join Robin’s friends and fans everywhere in mourning, and offer our thoughts and condolences to his family during this difficult time." 

Before the first performance of the broadway show Aladdin after Williams' death, the actor who played The Genie led the audience into singing "Never Had A Friend Like Me" in tribute.

Disney roles

 * Popeye (1980) - Popeye
 * Aladdin (1992) - Genie and The Peddler
 * Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996) - Genie
 * Great Minds Think 4 Themselves (1996) - Genie
 * Flubber (1997) - Phillip Brainnard
 * Old Dogs (2009) - Dan Rayburn
 * Back to Never Land - Himself/Lost Boy
 * The Timekeeper - The Timekeeper