“Just have a back up profession like welding”: Robin Williams Did Not Get the Most Encouraging Response From His Father After He Wished to be an Actor

Robin Williams was a multi-hyphenate star and world-renowned comedian who earned several honors and top accolades nominations since he began his career in showbiz. Throughout his run as a leading actor in the entertainment industry, Williams has given many memorable, realistic, and naturalized performances. He built an impressive filmography, starred in dozens of genre-defining, big-budgeted movies, and showcased his unique talents and skills on the silver screen. 

The late legendary actor left behind his legacy and died on August 11, 2014. The actor has had the perks of working with some of the most iconic directors and performers. He earned his first Oscar in the Best Supporting Actor category for his excellent work in the 1997 American psychological drama Good Will Hunting. While receiving his Academy Award, Williams delivered a memorable award acceptance speech and recalled his father’s career advice before he began his professional journey as an actor.

Robin Williams Won an Oscar for his Outstanding Performance in Good Will Hunting

Matt Damon and Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting

Robin Williams was a genius, an excellent actor, and a top-notch comedian who captivated the audience with his over-the-top skills and magnetic on-screen persona. Williams was a dedicated star performer who used to demonstrate each of his movie characters with nuance and perfection and make them seem authentic, leaving fans starstruck. 

The actor began his professional journey as a stand-up comedian in the mid-1970s and earned his first breakout role on the big screen in the 1980 musical comedy Popeye. He then appeared in the 1997 American psychological drama Good Will Hunting, in which he played the character of Dr. Sean Maguire.

His power-packed performance in the flick earned him his first Oscar at the 1998 Academy Awards. In his award acceptance speech, Williams thanked his co-stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon and recalled his father’s advice, which he received at the beginning of his acting career.

Robin Williams Recalls His Father’s Advice in His Award Acceptance Speech

Robin Williams

While receiving his prestigious award, Robin Williams said, “This might be the one time I’m speechless,” he continued thanking his co-stars,

“Thank you, Ben and Matt, I still want to see some I.D, and thank you, Gus Van Sant, [the director] for being so subtle you’re almost subliminal.”

The Jumanji movie star further mentioned and thanked his late father, Robert Fitzgerald Williams, in his speech, saying,

“Most of all, I want to thank my father up there. When I said I wanted to be an actor, he said, ‘Wonderful. Just have a backup profession like welding.’”

Robin Williams

In his storied career, the late legend Robin Williams earned several top-billing roles, worked with top-level directors in their passion projects, and proved his versatility as an artist. He was one of the supremely talented actors of his generation whose extraordinary contribution to cinema will forever be remembered and cherished. 

Gus Van Sant-directed psychological drama stars Robin Williams, Damon, Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård, and Minnie Driver. The movie earned positive reviews and critical acclaim. It grossed $225 million at the global box office against a budget of $10 million.