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From SCIFIPEDIA
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Robin Williams (b. July 21, 1951 Chicago, Illinois) is an American actor and voice artist.
Although born in Chicago, Williams moved to San Francisco when he was 16, and San Franciscans consider him one of their own.
He first came to national fame as the alien Mork from Ork in an episode of Happy Days in 1978. This quickly led to his starring in a successful series based on the character, Mork & Mindy. The show was a cultural touchpoint in its first year, and credit was given to Williams' manic energy and improvisational skills.
His big screen debut was as cartoon character Popeye in Robert Altman's take on the famous sailor. The movie was not well-received, so some were surprised by William's portrayal of the titular characer in The World According to Garp two years later. That same year, he got a taste of voice work playing Mork on a cartoon series.
Starring roles followed, which would lead to recognition of his dramatic skills with four Oscar nominations and one win (for Good Will Hunting).
He played an adult Peter Pan returning to his childhood enthusiasm in Steven Spielberg's Hook.
One of the best fits would be his voicework as the Genie in Disney's Aladdin. Unconstrained by the physical world, Williams' wild flights of fancy and quick lane changes were well-suited for the mercurial and magical wish-granter. While a disagreement with Disney led to Dan Castellenata voicing the Genie in the first sequel, Williams would later return to the role.
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