The old adage states that every clown wants to play Hamlet, but Robin Williams was one of the few who did. Granted, he never actually portrayed the melancholy Dane — although he did pop up as Osric in Kenneth Branagh‘s 1996 version — but Williams’ career as a stand-up comedian, sitcom lead, movie star, and occasional stage actor covered an astonishing breadth that rivals that of any contemporary performer.
Most famous for his manic creations like Mork from Ork and Mrs. Doubtfire and the Genie from Disney’s animated “Alladin,” Williams had it within himself not just to embrace darkness and pathos but also to tone his on-screen exuberance way, way down into subtle, minimal performances.