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According to Far Out Magazine, the Oscar-winning actor revealed his personal favorite during a Reddit Ask Me Anything session shortly before his death, pointing instead to his portrayal of Dr. Malcolm Sayer in the 1990 drama “Awakenings.”
Why Robin Williams Chose ‘Awakenings’ Above Every Other Role
When asked to name the favorite role of his career, Williams did not hesitate. Rather than selecting widely celebrated performances from films such as “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Good Will Hunting,” or “Dead Poets Society,” he chose Dr. Malcolm Sayer, the compassionate neurologist at the center of Penny Marshall’s “Awakenings.” Describing the experience, Williams called the role “a gift.”
His character was inspired by renowned British neurologist Oliver Sacks, whose work with survivors of encephalitis lethargica formed the basis of the picture. Williams later spoke with admiration about meeting Sacks in person, praising the doctor’s ability to “explore the human brain from the inside out.” The encounter left a lasting impression on the actor, who developed an enduring interest in human behavior after taking on the role.
Released in 1990 and directed by Penny Marshall, “Awakenings” stars Williams alongside Robert De Niro. The film follows Dr. Sayer as he discovers that the drug L-DOPA can temporarily revive patients who had spent decades in catatonic states following an epidemic of encephalitis lethargica. As one patient, Leonard Lowe, begins to reclaim his life, both doctor and patient are forced to confront the fragile nature of hope and time.
The acclaimed drama became both a critical and commercial success, earning Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor for De Niro, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Although Williams built an extraordinary legacy through unforgettable comedic characters, “Awakenings” remained the performance he remembered most fondly, a role that connected him to a remarkable true story and one that continued to resonate long after the cameras stopped rolling.
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