Oral History: How Robin Williams EXPLODED onto Happy Days

This is an amazing piece of editing and production work. An absolutely terrific watch, thank you for your hard work compiling all of that audio, video and material.

I had the pleasure of going to a rehearsal for a season 2 episode of "Mork & Mindy"; it was called "Clerical Error" in which Mork decides to become a priest. There was one point where Robin Williams did this amazing riff about circumcising elephants, and I laughed so hard it's a wonder I didn't lose my voice. The man was a genius in the truest sense... and greatly missed.

So, shortly after Mork & Mindy was cancelled we were in San Francisco for a night out. We used to hit all the clubs in the Bay Area but had never been to the Holy City Zoo. After dinner we went to the HCZ. It was an open mic night, with a two drink minimum, beers were $1.50! LOL After a couple of acts in walks this guy, dressed in a big parka coat, wearing a ball cap, sun glasses (the club is already dark) and bright orange tennis shoes, and he’s escorted in the area behind the stage. A short time later he comes on stage and it’s Robin Williams. The Zoo is small venue and we’re literally five feet from Robin who immediately launches into an awesome one hour set. He talks about the cancellation of the show and tries out what describes as “new” material. What an amazing night, great memories

Letterman talking about seeing Robin Williams for the first time sounds like every guitar player in the 60's talking about seeing Jimi Hendrix.

The world is a less bright without Robin Williams in it.

The Richard Lewis casting story shows why that man is not only a legendary comedian, but a legendary person in general.

The editing on this is great. To perfectly tell the story from dozens of interviews seamlessly is hard and they nailed it.

I lived in Boulder when Mork & Mindy was a thing. Believe it or not, even though the show wasn't filmed in Boulder, I was witness to Robin Williams being in Boulder quite a bit. I was a busker and performed most days in front of The New York Deli, a real deli that was on Pearl Street for many years, and was the deli that, in the show, Mork's two New Yorker friends owned.. One day Robin was walking down the street and watched me perform. I mostly sang John Denver songs at that time. Robin gave me a hundred dollar bill and said "You are why I love Colorado." and, before I could get my wits to actually say anything, he was gone. I love Robin and just about everything he did while performing. I, like Robin, went through a period of addiction and I am now a Social Worker working with addiction. I can actually say that he had a HUGE impact on my life and I will always remember him for being on Happy Days when he was.

I watched Happy Days religiously. Fonzie was my hero. I was 10 years old when the Mork episode aired. It was incredible. The duel between Fonzie and Mork was one of the greatest things ever!!

I knew Robin Williams started on Happy Days but had ZERO idea he was THAT big a hit. That must have been the best time of his life - to go from nothing to something overnight. I wish I was alive at the time to be part of it on some level. I miss the old days of television.

Robin called it luck, but he had been working on his craft day in day out and took every opportunity to add and create. And after he got the opportunity he kept giving it more and more into a series. Spin offs don’t usually work. Many other actors had the chance to play that role and turned it down. He won the lottery for being such a talent.

These guys talk about Robin Williams the way Clapton, Beck, and the great guitarists of that time talk about Hendrix

How did I not know that Mork’s costume was originally Colonel Green’s uniform on Star Trek? You have educated me sir.

We miss you Robin. You brought so much joy into so many peoples lives. Your star burned fast and bright.We were lucky to have had the honour to see you perform. Where ever you are I hope you realize how much you were loved. You hold a special place in all of are hearts.Thank you you crazy mad man.

Robin Williams was a person who spread joy to millions. ❤

Robin Williams spread so much joy and laughter to everyone, but sadly never held any for himself. He will be missed, but his genius and work will live on forever ❤

Mork was such a beloved character. So wonderful to see the beginning. Robin is greatly missed.

I miss Robin Williams every single day..... EVERY single day. I never knew Mork started on Happy Days. This is an awesome video.

I was 10 when Robin was on Happy Days, I remember what an overnight sensation he was. And then Mork & Mindy was the hot new thing for the next few years. Even to this day my mom still says "nanoo-nanoo" lol. What a remarkable career he went on to have. If you see enough of his stand-up, movies, interviews etc., I think you get a real sense of what a kind, intelligent, empathetic, creative person he was.

RIP Robin we all miss you!