Robin Williams, one of today's funniest and talented actors, stopped by AOL Live to answer questions about his new film, directed by Danny DeVito, called 'Death to Smoochy,' his previous films and his upcoming projects. See what he had to say below!
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Host: Welcome to AOL Live, and good afternoon, everyone. We are here with Robin Williams, star of the upcoming film 'Death to Smoochy,' in theaters Friday. We're taking questions live from our members. If you have questions, send them in. Our first question is from GM10. It says: What is 'Death to Smoochy' about?
Robin Williams: It is about a children's show host who loses his job because of a payola scam and then wants to get his position back and seeks revenge upon Ed Norton's character, who is like a Barney character and is like a plush rhino. It's not for children. It's 'Reservoir Rhinos.' Do not bring children, or you'll be answering questions to a welfare worker.
Host: What was it like working with Danny DeVito, directing and acting?
Robin Williams: He's basically a troll without a bridge. He's very funny, and he has a very, very dark concept of humor that just gets darker the more he works. He's got this kind of nasty laugh that you know if it's working, that if he's laughing, it's a good sign. Acting with him? I didn't have too many scenes with him, so I didn't get a chance to act with him. It was just directing, which was great.
Host: OK. Let's see. What part of 'Death to Smoochy' did you enjoy filming the most?
Robin Williams: For me, and this is just the Brian Boitano side of myself, the ice-skating, since I can't skate. Elvis Stojko did the skating for me, and it was amazing to see him skate then have to step on the ice and do the little spin into it and go "thank you." But that was fun to do. There's also a scene with a cookie that's quite interesting. Martha Stewart outtakes. Kind of the Pillsbury Doughboy's got wood. Those two scenes especially for me were a lot of fun.
Host: MKHollywoodCat: Hi, and what is the favorite movie you've done so far? I loved 'Patch Adams.'
Robin Williams: My favorite one? It would have to probably be the combo of 'Dead Poets Society,' maybe 'Good Will Hunting.' I think those two. 'Patch' was a lot of fun. Those. Also 'Awakenings,' because that was a chance to meet Oliver Sachs, which was pretty much life-changing.
Host: Out of all of the characters you played, which did you enjoy most?
Robin Williams: I think playing in 'Awakenings,' because it was based on Oliver, and he's such an extraordinary -- basically, an explorer of the human mind. That -- I think that for me was quite interesting. To have him as a technical advisor, but also to meet all of the people that he introduced me to -- people with Parkinson's, autistic, all different types of people, and Tourretian people, amazing people to be around.
Host: We have one, in light of this week's events, from Brewmanchoo: Have you ever hosted the Oscars, and would you accept an invitation to host the Oscars?
Robin Williams: No, that would be like having Hannibal Lecter on 'Iron Chef.' I hosted it one time with Alan Alda, and we raised a lot of money that year. When I go on the Oscars, I have a three-second delay, that they have to make sure. Like when I did the 'Blame Canada' number, they were terrified I was going to do it word for word. There's a certain part where it gets a little blue. The censor was there with a button ready to detonate if I went off. I made her a promise I wouldn't do it. We got the number on. That was good enough.
Host: From ImLegalBlond: What does it feel like to make so many people laugh, especially over the last few months, after what our country went through? This is from Elizabeth in Dallas.
Robin Williams: Elizabeth, it's good. There is a feeling that people said thanks, it's been a while since we could just let go and laugh. It is kind of cathartic for them and myself.
Host: From another member: Do you still perform stand-up comedy acts, or are you entertaining the thought of doing another in the near future?
Robin Williams: Yes, I'm doing it right now. Like last night, I did the Beacon Theater in New York, did about an hour and 45. It was a really great audience. I have more cities to come. God, we've got New Orleans; we have Minneapolis, Madison, Wis. There's a whole tour.
Host: Is there anywhere online?
Robin Williams: Where's the tour site, Becky? RobinWilliamstour.com. Hey, that's a catchy one. Excited home -- no, wait, Robinwm -- RobinWilliamstour.com. Check it out. Log on. You'll see exciting products. And there is much more.
Host: From Ayarber491: I looked up to you as an actor and comedian. I recently graduated with a degree in theater. Who do you admire as an actor and comedian, and who would you like to work with?
Robin Williams: The one man I admired most died -- Peter Sellers. It would be hard to work with him. I guess Chris Rock, Mike Myers, people like that. There's a friend of mine, an English comic, Eddy Izzard, who I worked with in 'Secret Agent.' I'd love to work with him. I'd love to work with Billy Crystal again. Eddie Murphy. I'm putting names out here. Please, call now. Call now. If you have a script, call now! Don't be afraid.
Host: From another member: Have you directed any films in the past or have any future projects in consideration to direct? And if so, which genre most appeals to your directing side?
Robin Williams: The basic answer: I have never directed and never will. I think that's --
Host: How come?
Robin Williams: Because I could never be saying to someone, that didn't work. All they have to do is say, what about 'Popeye'? I'd be, OK, lunch. You have to realize -- you know, some people have the vision and can pull it off. I would be saying, let's try it another way. Let's try it -- you know, it would be the 12-hour series. I couldn't do it.
Host: From Sweenfan1: Mr. Williams, I'm an elementary teacher. What type of student were you? Were you the class clown, and did you get good grades?
Robin Williams: I had great grades. I was not a class clown. That kind of closet clown. What are you doing? Playing with a chicken. I was basically very much -- especially like in high school, just studying like crazy. I was fascinated by languages. I wanted to go into the foreign service. Which is great for this country right now that I'm not. It was -- you know, I was very, very into history, somewhat into mathematics, until we got to calculus, then it was game's over, man. No, I was very quiet as a student. Quiet as a person, and studious as a student.
Host: We have a question from Rishamoon: Hi, Robin. Jennifer in Indiana here. Hi from my husband Bill, who had to be at work today. Is it hard to decide whether or not to do a specific part? Your work is always so insightful to human nature, funny or dramatic.
Robin Williams: It has to be something -- basically, if you read a script, [if reading it is] like similar to reading a book, or especially as a child reads a book, if it engages you, if you find yourself engaged by the character, that's a good sign. Number two, are you saying, have I played this before? That's not a good sign. For me now, being 50, I keep trying different characters. And the other thing is, can you say if I play this character, would I be the best person to play this character? That kind of helps you answer those questions.
Host: Along those lines, a member asks: In your upcoming film 'Insomnia,' you play a villain. How did this role stretch you as an actor? Were you able to find a balance between your humor and seriousness? And do you see yourself playing more villains in the future?
Robin Williams: A nice, long and wonderful question. Playing the villain, you know, it's -- everyone has a, you know, that kind of dark side that your conscience and your morality suppresses. But these people have obviously overridden that, and it's finding that, finding that kind of, I guess, the banality of evil. When you see them on interviews talking about the things they've done, they're almost hypernormal. That's what -- finding that part of it was interesting. Would I play another one? Oh, yeah. Because, you know, there are all parts of human nature, and there is something very fascinating about seeing what makes this type of being click, you know, or not, or, you know, disassociate and step outside of human behavior.
Host: Let's see. A question: I have suffered from depression and have to say it is a blessing to have people like you around that are so capable of bringing humor to the world. It is truly a gift. Have you ever been unable to find the humor in life?
Robin Williams: Yeah, there are times, like any human being. That's why someplace, in some magazine, because I said that occasionally I get depressed, or the world's events sadden me, and the combining of that and the manic performing style, they said I was a manic-depressive. Not true. It's basically, yeah, there are times you cannot find the humor. There are times it's pretty bleak. But there are other times when you can find the dark humor of it, which is if you're being buried in Georgia. But it's that idea of you look at that kind of -- you know, to be honest, yeah, there are times where there is this sadness, and you can't overcome it, and you can go through it. It's not something you have to be ashamed of. But it's just something you go through.
Host: Let's see. What role have you not been offered but would really like to do? That's Rosebud1955.
Robin Williams: Not been offered? Einstein on ice. I haven't been offered that yet. I'd like to do that. They haven't done it. I think just to see people skating at the speed of light, that for me is fabulous. That would be great, because there would be no judging. It would be too late -- it would be over. The whole program would be a millisecond.
Host: A question from Ya02 -- OK -- 0203302.
Robin Williams: Thank you, Ya0203302.
Host: Something about Mother's Day approaching. What's your favorite thing about your mom?
Robin Williams: Well, my mother's gone. When she was around, she had a kind of wild sense of humor. She had a great quote. She said a hat can make the difference between a bimbo and a debutante, wasn't it? Yeah, a duchess. A great hat can make the difference between a duchess and a bimbo. She had kind of an interesting view of life. She was a Christian Dior Scientist, so she only wore certain types of make-up. She was a fascinating lady.
Host: Any plans for Mother's Day with your wife?
Robin Williams: To make her a mother again? Then I'll be going, hey, baby, let's play the home game. She'll say to me, I'm not your mother. I go, I know that. If not, I'd be wandering blind around Greece. Mother's Day? No. She is my wife. The children do wonderful Mother's Day things for her.
Host: Out of the pictures you've done previously, WinGale asks: What was it like working with relative newcomers Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in 'Good Will Hunting'? Did you have to give them pointers?
Robin Williams: Not at all. Since they wrote it, they basically said, say the lines. They're very, very bright and capable on their own. No, there's nothing I had to say to them. Even now, don't put that chip down, Ben. That's a big tip, my boy.
Host: What drew your attention to 'Mrs. Doubtfire'? How did you feel about the finished project?
Robin Williams: We found the book -- my wife had found the book, then we adapted it. The finished product is quite wonderful, very funny, and it talks about divorce in a way that basically, you know, stop using the children as kinder ammo, you know, back and forth and using -- and treat them and make their lives better.
Host: What is your favorite part of being a comedian? From Sherryanner.
Robin Williams: The laughter. That helps. Without it, you end up with stand-up tragedy, and you don't want that.
Host: Chiefy069 says: Robin, thank you for blessing the world with your talent. What prompted you to become a comic? At what point did you feel you should branch out into film?
Robin Williams: There was never a thinking I've got to branch out into movies. They offered one, 'Popeye,' because of the success of 'Mork.' That gave me some cachet to get a movie like 'Popeye' done. That was the beginning. Being in movies, working with great people like Robert Altman, Paul Mazursky, Barry Levinson, Peter Weir. It's been an amazing group of people. Gus Van Sant. Now working with Mark Romanek. The man who directed 'Memento' -- he directed 'Insomnia.'
Host: With that, how is it like working with Chris Nolan, specifically?
Robin Williams: Quite amazing, because he's so young, yet so in tune with his vision and the visuals that go along with it. Also just has a great sense of character and knows exactly what he wants. You know, keeps it to a minimum, and that really helps. But it also allows you to explore it and, you know -- and he knows when he's got it, and that's perfect.
Host: From DMKrantzj9: Do you have any tips for comedians trying to break into the comedy business?
Robin Williams: Get a fast car. Other than that, break in? You know, go out and do it. That's the best thing. You better just keep doing it. That's the hardest part. Sometimes just finding a venue. Many times in the beginning you have to go on, you only get five minutes at 1:30 in the morning. You're performing for two drunks. One is a comic, the other is the owner of the club. It's like a hard thing, but keep at it.
Host: Similar to that, June27Cuz asks: When you first got started in showbiz, did you think it would ever be something this large?
Robin Williams: Not at all. I had no idea. I just did it because it was something I loved. I never had visions of, oh, look, I'll be in a limousine one day. I'll have a posse. No, I just thought it was, once again, driven by that thing of laughter, mainly, that I like working and people laughing, either doing a play or eventually stand-up. It was still that same immediate reinforcement.
Host: Do any of your children have traces of a potential great sense of humor?
Robin Williams: They have more than traces. They have very, very large deposits. The little one is very, very bright and very kind of dry. My daughter does this very unusual thing now -- I'll call home, she'll answer in an English voice. The older one is the -- he has the sensibilities of an 18-year-old, which is very, very interesting, ironical sense of humor.
Host: Let's see, Mary59Sue: Do you think you might do another HBO stand-up special anytime in the future? I enjoyed the past ones.
Robin Williams: That's the purpose of this road trip, to put together enough to actually tape one. It will be good to do.
Host: You've just made one of our members very happy.
Robin Williams: Oh, good. We'll eventually do it live someplace. I have to find the right place. We're in New York right now. I just did the Beacon Theater. I got Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall, then back out on the road and playing all over the country, just to see what works, you know.
Host: A couple of members have been asking this in different ways, but do you enjoy doing animated films?
Robin Williams: I love it.
Host: Do you prefer to be animated in person? Is that a challenge?
Robin Williams: To do an animated movie is great. Especially with 'Aladdin,' one of the few companies that could afford to let you riff. A lot of times you have to say the words, because that's all they can afford to animate -- you know, it's so expensive. With 'Aladdin,' they let me riff and go off and create a character from the ground up, which is amazing. Then you see the second part of the equation when you see them adding on to what you've given them, the voices, then drawing the visual jokes to go with it. It's incredible.
Host: Do they draw on you to do the visual representation?
Robin Williams: No, they tape you. They drew on my body, which is great. They tape you, then go off from that and create a caricature of you.
Host: Here's an interesting one from Rtreece: Do you ever run out of material?
Robin Williams: No, because there's enough. Walk outside, there's enough going on. Unless you're the boy in the bubble, there's a lot of stuff to talk about.
Host: Soccerb01333 says: Hi, Robin. I'm from West Virginia. You did the movie 'Patch Adams.' Did you ever meet the real Patch Adams?
Robin Williams: I met him before the movie. He was there during the movie. He does these public seminars all the time.
Host: Here's one from Flyman6655: You have two movies coming out at the same time, 'Insomnia' and 'Death to Smoochy.' Which did you enjoy more?
Robin Williams: Well, 'Smoochy' comes out earlier, about a month and a half earlier. 'Smoochy' is fun, just nasty, funny. 'Insomnia' I enjoyed incredibly, because I got to work with Al Pacino. Kind of like Method Man meets Wild Boy. It is this thing that worked out perfectly, because two styles blended. 'Smoochy' is fun. You get a chance to do a comedy. The other is a murder mystery -- mystery involving blackmail. In ways that are dark. Was that fun? Oh, yeah, baby.
Host: Here's a really interesting one. Clickme asks: As a comedian, have you ever done a joke that seems good at the time, and as soon as it's out of your mouth you realize it's inappropriate, and how do you escape it?
Robin Williams: You'll always do that. It's the nature of the animal. You can't help it. You'll think, this is great. You'll try it, and it goes bang, and you see an entire group of people look at you with that one-yard stare like, what have you done? Then you have a choice: backpedal -- good evening, everybody, you know, thank you very much and good night; or try and hang in. That's a hard call.
Host: Justls2 asks: Hi, Robin. Are you planning on doing live theater?
Robin Williams: Not really, no. Unless they do 'Braveheart: The Musical.' I did 'Godot' in New York. That was incredible. If it was a play as good, I'd do it.
Host: Have you ever a chance to work with Jim Carrey, and --
Robin Williams: I'd love to work with him. I know him from The Comedy Store, doing stand-up. He's out there. He'll try anything. That's a good sign.
Host: Sort of like you.
Robin Williams: Yes.
Host: OK, Cleevea102 asks: Did you enjoy your role on 'Mork & Mindy,' and what were some of your favorite moments?
Robin Williams: My favorite moment was mooning Pam Dawber, a moment in history for me. The first season was great. It was a wild open -- open-field running. The last season with Jonathan Winters was like getting a chance to play with Coletrane.
Host: Ddrgan 2002: How did you know in your heart that leaving Julliard and doing stand-up comedy was for you?
Robin Williams: In my heart, I left Julliard because I fell in love. Stand-up comedy was a cure for when I fell out of love. It was a great therapist, that comedy -- it was a great therapy that you can talk about, oh, dear God, you've been down, but you're back. If that helped, it was once again the relief of it combined with the therapeutic and the honesty aspect, which is great.
Host: Allisonmrrw says: Would you ever have your children star in a movie with you?
Robin Williams: I've -- they worked in movies. The good news is they were bored within a few seconds. They were kind of -- you know, a lot of movies is waiting around. As John Goodman said, "I love to act, but they pay me to wait." Waiting is this thing where you shoot the shot, and there's three hours, and for a kid that's an eternity. Do they want to star in a movie? Maybe. Do I want them to be a child star? No. Come over here, Macauley.
Host: Let's see, have you ever gotten feedback from any of the celebrities that you have impersonated, about your impersonation?
Robin Williams: Once. It was an amazing night, doing this benefit for Muhammad Ali, doing an impression of Sylvester Stallone being monosyllabic. Then Billy Crystal was next to me. He said, he's here. That moment of -- oh, hi. How you doing? That was a milestone, you know? Oh, Rocky is going to kick my ass. Yo, Adrian!
Host: I'm sure he appreciated it.
Robin Williams: Oh, yeah, in a good way. My friend Mickey Rourke.
Host: GH02141: What would you like to do if you had not become a comedian?
Robin Williams: I would love to be an astrophysicist. But the chances are real slim. As Peter Cook once said, "I did not have the learning for that, really."
Host: Do you use the Internet in your personal life a lot?
Robin Williams: I use it in my personal life and in my cyber-life. My other personality. Yes, I do. I play a lot of games online, which has been a lot of fun, especially when you're against live opponents. That's what the purpose is -- if you have a DSL., it's really fun.
Host: A couple more questions. EarlyInTheAM asks: Robin, aside from the comedy, movies and tours, how are you doing?
Robin Williams: I'm doing wonderfully. Really, it's been really nice to be back on the road, but also just to -- I had about a year off, which was lovely, and I was just doing a lot of cycling and, you know, kind of building up enough material to go out and talk about things.
Host: Great. Our last question is from KArthurPendragon: If they were to write your life story, what would you want it to say?
Robin Williams: What would I want it to say? Push the envelope, I think. To quote Chuck Yeager, "Push the envelope, boy." Don't be afraid. Let fear be your inspiration.
Host: Great. Thank you very much for joining us.
Robin Williams: Thanks.
Host: It's been a lot of fun.
Robin Williams: Me too. Thank you very much. Log off now. Thank you for calling, and you've got mail.
Host: Thank you very much.
Robin Williams: Bye-bye.
Host: Have a great day.
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