Robin Williams left behind a legacy of memorable roles that taught valuable life lessons. Some of the key lessons included pursuing your passions over just your career, challenging social norms, finding humor and hope even in dark times, and taking risks in life rather than living with regrets of opportunities not taken. His diverse roles across many genres inspired people to live more meaningful and fulfilling lives.

1. WHAT
ROBIN
WILLIAMS
TAUGHT US
ABOUT LIFE
Photo: Peggy Sirota / Parade

2. THERE’S MORE TO LIFE
THAN YOUR CAREER
Photo: Hook / TriStar Pictures (1991)

3. “We have a few special years with our children,
when they're the ones that want us around.
After that you're going to be running after them
for a bit of attention. It's so fast Peter.
It's a few years, and it's over.”
— Moira Banning (Peter’s wife)
Photo: Hook / TriStar Pictures (1991)

4. PURSUE YOUR PASSION
Photo: Dead Poets Society / Buena Vista Pictures (1989)

5. “We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and
write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the
human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business,
engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life.
But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.”
— John Keating
Photo: Dead Poets Society / Buena Vista Pictures (1989)

6. CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO
Photo: Good Morning, Vietnam / Buena Vista Pictures (1987)

7. “What are you afraid of, sir?
That people might find out there’s a war going on?”
— Adrian Cronauer
Photo: Good Morning, Vietnam / Buena Vista Pictures (1987)

8. FIND CREATIVE SOLUTIONS
Photo: Mrs. Doubtfire / Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation (1993)

9. “I'm a hip old granny who can hip-hop, bebop,
dance til ya drop and yo yo, make a wicked cup of cocoa.”
— Mrs. Doubtfire
Photo: Mrs. Doubtfire / Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation (1993)

10. EVERYONE DESERVES RESPECT
Photo: Bicentennial Man / Buena Vista Pictures (1999)

11. “To be acknowledged for who and what I am, no more, no less.
Not for acclaim, not for approval, but, the simple truth of that
recognition. This has been the elemental drive of my existence,
and it must be achieved, if I am to live or die with dignity.”
— Andrew Martin
Photo: Bicentennial Man / Buena Vista Pictures (1999)

12. IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE
Photo: Jumanji / TriStar Pictures (1995)

13. “You think that mosquitos, monkeys, and lions are bad?
That is just the beginning. I've seen things you've only
seen in your nightmares. Things you can't even imagine…
Afraid? You don't even know what afraid is.
You would not last five minutes without me.”
— Alan Parrish
Photo: Jumanji / TriStar Pictures (1995)

14. IT’S NOT WHAT YOU KNOW,
IT’S WHO YOU KNOW
Photo: Aladdin / Walt Disney Pictures (1992)

15. Genie: “I’m free! I'm free. Quick. Quick, wish for
something outrageous. Say, "I I want the Nile."
Wish for the Nile. Try that.”
Aladdin: “Uh, I wish for the Nile.”
Genie: “No way! OH, does that feel good!”
Photo: Aladdin / Walt Disney Pictures (1992)

16. TAKE RISKS
Photo: Good Will Hunting / Miramax Films (1997)

17. “No, I'm not kiddin' you, Will.
That's why I'm not talkin' right
now about some girl I saw at a
bar twenty years ago and how I
always regretted not going over
and talking to her. I don't regret
the 18 years I was married to
Nancy. I don't regret the six
years I had to give up
counseling when she got sick.
And I don't regret the last years
when she got really sick. And I
sure as hell don't regret
missin' the damn game.”
— Sean Maguire
Photo: Good Will Hunting / Miramax Films (1997)

18. FIND REASONS TO LAUGH
Photo: Patch Adams / United International Pictures (1998)

19. “What's wrong with death sir?
What are we so mortally
afraid of? Why can't we treat
death with a certain amount
of humanity and dignity, and
decency, and God forbid,
maybe even humor.”
— Patch Adams
Photo: Patch Adams / United International Pictures (1998)

20. NEVER LOSE HOPE
Photo: Jakob the Liar / Sony Pictures Entertainment (1999)

21. “Hunger for hope
may be worse
than hunger for food.”
— Jakob Heym
Photo: Jakob the Liar / Sony Pictures Entertainment (1999)

22. Robin Williams
1951-2014
R.I.P.
"You're only given
one little spark
of madness.
You mustn't lose it."