Seven Things You May Not Have Known About… Robin Williams

There are so many things that we encounter on an almost daily basis that we never stop to think about some of the more interesting facts about them. From our favourite movies to food and makeup, we will attempt to bring you some random information that you will most definitely be able to use as a future party trick. Given that one of our favourite actors and one of the best comedians to grace planet Earth passed away yesterday, we thought we would take a look at some things you may not have known about Robin Williams. 1. Before Mork and Mindy, there was Happy Days. Williams appeared in an episode of Happy Days opposite the Fonz. His role was so popular with viewers and producers that the producers began work on Mork and Mindy which ran from 1978 until 1982. 2. He used to call Steven Spielberg while he was working on Schindler's List. Spielberg found the shoot so gruelling that he would call upon Robin to entertain him and sometimes the cast so that they wouldn't feel so down with the depressing subject matter. 3. Aladdin was deemed ineligible for a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar because of Williams. Robin apparently ended up recording a massive 16 hours worth of material for his role as the Genie in Aladdin. Unfortunately because so much of it was improvised, it was deemed ineligible for an Academy Award nomination. 4. He sang Blame Canada in honour of the South Park Academy Award nomination. At the time, Blame Canada was surrounded by a lot of controversy, particularly due to the lyrics but Williams performed it at the Oscar ceremony, leaving out the words which the broadcasters were most concerned about. This is amazing. 5. He was a huge Star Trek fan. Williams adored Star Trek and was due to appear in an episode of the series as the time traveler Professor Berlinghoff Rasmussen in A Matter Of Time. However, a scheduling conflict meant that he had to give up on the part. We bet he was devastated. 6. He sent a mini-Oscar replica to the man who overdubbed his voice in Germany. After Williams won his Oscar for Good Will Hunting, he sent Peer Augustinski, his official German dub-over artist, a mini-Oscar replica with a tribute that read: "Thank you for making me famous in Germany." 7. He dressed in scrubs and surprised Christopher Reeves when he was in hospital after his accident. Following Christopher Reeves horrific accident, Williams dressed up in hospital scrubs to visit the actor. Reeves wrote in his book: "Then, at an especially bleak moment, the door flew open and in hurried a squat fellow with a blue scrub hat and a yellow surgical gown and glasses, speaking in a Russian accent. He announced that he was my proctologist, and that he had to examine me immediately...it was Robin Williams...for the first time since the accident, I laughed. My old friend had helped me know that somehow I was going to be okay."