Robin Williams burst onto the scene, and into the nation’s hearts, with his maniacal mugging and rapid-fire verbal dexterity on “Mork and Mindy,” which premiered on ABC in 1978 and ran through 1982 — introducing us to “Nanu nanu,” “Shazbot” and Williams’ gifted comedic riffs, barely containable on the small screen.
Here’s a look back at just a smattering of Williams’ memorable TV and movie work — funny, thoughtful, tinged with sadness and, at times, brutally honest:
‘Mork and Mindy,’ Season 1 (1978)
HBO Specials
From 1977
‘An Evening with Robin Williams’ (1982)
‘Weapons of Self Destruction’ (2009)
‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’
From 1981
With idol Jonathan Winters (1991)
‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno’ (2013)
‘Late Show with David Letterman’ (2009)
AFI Tribute to Al Pacino (2007)
‘Good Morning, Vietnam’ (1987)
‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ (1993)
‘The Birdcage’ (1996)
‘Larry King Live’ (2007)
‘Ellen’ (2009)