The Film History of Robin Williams I Quiz

Answer: Shelley Duvall

'Popeye' was an example of a film that was marvelously cast but somehow still flopped. Robin Williams was excellent as Popeye, and Shelley shined as Olive Oyl, but the movie just didn't tickle my fancy like it should have. Perhaps it needed more spinach? Just imagine if the original choice to play Popeye, Dustin Hoffman, were to have been kept. I don't think that would have worked...

Answer: True

Alongside an all-star cast that included John Lithgow, Glenn Close, Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn, Robin Williams is featured as T. S. Garp, the title character of this film which was based on the novel by John Irving. It is here that Robin begins to show his dramatic abilities, though he naturally employed his comedic talents as well.

Answer: Walter Matthau

Directed by Michael Ritchie, Robin once again shines in a comedic role that is only limited by the quality of the script. Walter Matthau is also fun in this film that highlights both the absurdity of the working world and the neurotic fantasies of your average survivalist.

Answer: Vladimir Ivanoff

Interestingly, Yakov Smirnoff (who is actually Ukrainian) does appear in this film, but only in a minor role as Lev. In the film, Robin Williams plays a Russian saxophone player who defects in Bloomingdales (of all places). Again, another cheesy role...but Robin will make you laugh and cry here.

Answer: Good Morning, Vietnam

Robin Williams received his first Oscar nomination for his performance as Adrian Cronauer, a radio DJ who brings joy to American soldiers during the terrifying situation in late 1960s Vietnam. Again, Robin combined his unique talent for spontaneous comedy with a sense of dramatic humanity here, which is no doubt why the Academy decided to honor him with a nomination.

Incidentally, the film was very loosely based on a real DJ in Vietnam named Adrian Cronauer.

Answer: Terry Gilliam

For 'The Adventures of Baron Muchausen', Robin chose the stage name 'Ray DiTutto', which translates from the Italian as 'King of Everything'. In the film, Robin plays a minor role as the King of the Moon. In this really odd piece, look also for appearances by Oliver Reed, Jonathan Pryce, Uma Thurman and Sting, not to mention the lead performances by Eric Idle and John Neville.

Answer: John Keating

Robin's portrayal of John Keating in 'Dead Poets Society' garnered him his second Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Though he did not win the award, it was clear that Mr. Williams would henceforth be regarded as both a master funnyman and a serious actor by his peers. John Keating's favorite phrase in the film is 'Carpe Diem', which is interesting since Robin had previously appeared in the 1986 film 'Seize the Day'.

Answer: Awakenings

In the film 'Awakenings' Robin plays a doctor named Dr. Malcolm Sayer who develops a drug that allows, for a brief time, a number of catatonic encephalitis victims to experience life once again. The film is based on the real life experience of Dr. Oliver Sacks and his patients in the early 1970s.

Answer: Parry

Once again, Robin teamed up with Terry Gilliam in 'The Fisher King'. He also worked alongside actors Mercedes Ruehl, Jeff Bridges and Amanda Plummer, all of whom performed stupendously. Williams received his third Oscar nomination for his performance here, but again failed to take home the coveted statue.

Answer: Hook

Robin played Peter Pan in Spielberg's 1991 version of the classic children's story by James Barrie. Alongside Robin appeared Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook, Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell, Bob Hoskins as Smee and Maggie Smith as Wendy. Not my favorite film by either Spielberg or Willaims, it still allowed Williams to spew forth his tremendous talent.

Thank you for trying this quiz, I hope you enjoyed it and will try more of my movie-related quizzes (and, more of my quizzes in general).