Top 10 Funniest Robin Williams Interviews
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Funniest Robin Williams Interviews. For this list, we’ll be looking at this legendary comedian’s most memorable talk show appearances, whether he was sitting or standing up on the couch. What’s your favorite Robin Williams interview? Let us know in the comments.
#10: Finding His Voice(s)
“Des O’Connor Tonight” (1977-2002)Williams was a master of voices, although it takes some experimentation to find the right voice for the right character. Speaking with English comedian Des O’Connor, Williams discussed the evolution of Mrs. Doubtfire, who initially sounded more like a whaling Julia Child. Williams eventually toned it down to sound more like Margaret Thatcher. Williams’ Genie in “Aladdin” also started with only one voice. Once Disney left Williams off his leash, he delivered just about every voice inside his head. Speaking in different voices seemed to come naturally to Williams, as exemplified in this interview where he imitates President Bush and John Wayne, who sound more alike than one might expect. O’Connor also mentions Williams playing the Riddler, hinting at the Batman movie we never saw.
#9: Soldiers, Statuettes, & St. Patty’s
“Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (1993-2009)
Conan O'Brien is one of the late night’s most eccentric comedians, but even he had trouble keeping up with Williams. O’Brien first crossed paths with Williams when he was an “SNL” writer. They reflected on this “hairy” encounter years later on O’Brien’s talk show. On another appearance, the two discussed St. Patrick’s Day, a subject that O’Brien is well-acquainted with given his Irish roots. Williams, of course, can’t resist an over-the-top Irish accent. The conversation transitions to the Oscars, opening the floodgates for Williams to impersonate celebrities like Jack Nicholson and Gregory Peck. In addition to making the audience laugh at the Academy Awards, Williams entertained the troops. Williams took that gig seriously, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for a Schwarzenegger impression.
#8: The Pearly Gates
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“Inside the Actors Studio” (1994-)
Traditionally, an interview opens with a brief greeting followed by a question. When Robin Williams is the interviewee, though, you could expect several minutes of horsing around before getting down to business… and even then, it’s rarely strictly business. After dishing out several voices and interacting with an audience member laughing a little too hard, Williams gets around to answering James Lipton’s questions about insanity, his career, and his favorite curse word. The interview inevitably builds to Lipton’s “If heaven exists” question. Among other things, Williams says that he hopes that laughter exists in heaven. Williams would pass away 13 years later, adding to the poignancy of his answer. It’s safe to say that as long as Williams is present, heaven is full of laughter.
#7: Surgery & Siri
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (2003-22)
Williams dropped by Ellen DeGeneres’ couch several times, a standout appearance being in 2011. Energetic as ever, you’d never guess that Williams had heart surgery only a couple of years earlier. For all the rapid-fire one-liners, this interview is also tear-jerking in retrospect, particularly when DeGeneres brings up the subject of depression. Williams replies with a quip, although we’d find out shortly after how much he was hurting inside during his final years. Nevertheless, the interview is a testament to what a big heart Williams had, making others laugh even as he endured physical and psychological struggles. Whether talking about his personal life or putting a French spin on Siri, Williams’ heart overflowed with love for the audience and comedy.
#6: Do What with the Meat?
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“The Martha Stewart Show” (2005-12)
Providing dinner and a show, Williams tickled tastebuds and funny bones when he entered Martha Stewart’s kitchen. Donning a chef’s hat and apron, Williams helps Stewart prepare the meat for a taco dish. When Stewart tells Williams to rub the meat, she basically serves him a joke on a silver platter that’s far too appetizing to pass up. Williams is like a little kid trying to assist in the kitchen, repeating everything Stewart says in a funny voice. Once the time comes to “pound the meat,” the innuendos are taken into overdrive. Stewart would later single out Williams as one of her favorite guests, saying, “his mind was like a computer. No matter what I said, he had a retort and he was so quick.”
#5: Winters & Williams
“The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” (1962-92)
Williams was inspired by several comedy legends, although Jonathan Winters perhaps had the greatest impact. In addition to being Williams’ childhood idol, Winters evolved into his mentor and friend. The two shared the spotlight on various occasions, including this “Tonight Show” appearance. In a change of pace, Williams is the one cracking up as Winters chats about his unconventional wardrobe and his recent Emmy win. While Williams respectfully gives his idol room to talk, we still get to see these two comedy legends play off one another. As the interview wraps, Williams interjects with a Tennessee accent, extending the grin on Winters’ face. There’s no question that Williams looked up to Winters, but you can tell from moments like this that they shared a mutual admiration.
#4: Sports, Science, & Standup
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“The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (1992-2009; 2010-14)
Williams was best known for his impressions, but this “Tonight Show” appearance also exemplifies his knack for physical comedy. Landing on the subject of the Olympics, Williams bounces around the set with the energy of a gold medalist. With Williams and Jay Leno both having dabbled in wrestling, a match ultimately breaks out before the first commercial break. As outgoing as Williams comes across, he opens up about being a shy only child who initially didn’t grow up around many other kids. Believe it or not, Williams was studying to be a political scientist until he discovered improv. It was around this time that Williams really started to come out of his shell, introducing the world to the voices living inside him.
#3: Oscar Talk
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“The Graham Norton Show” (2007-)
Sharing the couch with Elijah Wood and Jennifer Saunders, Williams is once again the liveliest personality in the room. The interview covers a wide array of topics, from Williams’ work on the “Happy Feet” sequel, to his heart surgery, to how he named his daughter Zelda. As you might’ve guessed, a certain video game played a role. Arguably the highlight is Williams reflecting on his Best Supporting Actor Oscar for “Good Will Hunting.” Williams had so much going through his head during this moment that he forgot to thank his mother… who was in the audience. That blunder aside, it was pretty overwhelming becoming Academy Award winner Robin Williams. That is until Jack Nicholson won his third Oscar that same night, filling Williams with envy.
#2: The Late Show with Robin Williams
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“The Late Show with David Letterman” (1993-2015)
Williams was a guest on the second episode of David Letterman’s “Late Show.” Williams made such a triumphant entrance that you’d swear he was the show’s star. Actually, that’s essentially what happens for a moment. Williams treats the Ed Sullivan Theater as his personal playground, turning “The Late Show” into a one-man production of “West Side Story.” Williams eventually sits down to talk to Letterman about Italy and a mouse toy he stumbled across. Williams also gets around to talking about an upcoming comedy he just finished shooting about a father who dresses as a sixty-five-year-old woman. Williams neglected to bring a clip, but it’s just as funny listening to him talk about “Mrs. Doubtfire,” unaware what a massive hit it’s about to become.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Big Cash Prize, “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” (2005-14)
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Williams Makes It Rain!
Accepting an Award, “Live with Kelly and Michael” (2012-16)
Even When Time Slows Down, Williams Moves Fast
Williams on Air Travel, “Parkinson” (1971-2007)
He Says What We’re All Thinking
Robin Williams Random Character Generator, “Friday Night with Jonathan Ross” (2001-10)
An Improv Game Perfectly Tailored for Williams
#1: Here’s Robin!
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“The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” (1962-92)
The King of Late Night crossed paths with the King of Improv in 1981, marking a historic moment in “Tonight Show” history. Still primarily known for his work on “Mork & Mindy,” Williams demonstrates his potential to be a comedy superstar as he makes Carson crack up. It doesn’t take long for the interview to snowball into a standup routine as Williams runs away with Carson’s audience. This would be the first of many “Tonight Show” appearances for Williams, who’d return to talk about his breakthrough work in “Good Morning, Vietnam” and to initiate Shakespeare after a few drinks. Williams was notably a guest on the penultimate episode of Carson’s “Tonight Show.” As Carson prepared to say goodnight, Williams was still just getting fired up.
