Robin Williams was one of the funniest comedians of all time. However, I’m sure he’d be the first to say that he had the privilege of working with and learning from some of the best people in the business, including Carol Burnett.
Making it big in the comedy business is rare. Comedians often spend thousands of hours perfecting their material at small shows, trying to find the right jokes to put together to build their “killer set.” And while it seems Williams was a natural who ad-libbed everything, the truth is that he worked extremely hard to hone his skills, starting in small clubs around the country.
And unlike other forms of art such as acting and singing, many comedians often revisit and play those same small venues even after making it big. The sense of community within that culture is, crucial and famous comics performing in those small clubs inspire future comedians to keep pushing themselves and not give up on their dreams.
During the ’70s, Carol gave a very young Robin Williams, a platform for his unique comedy style in a skit called “The Funeral.” In the scene, Carol plays a widow named Susan and Robin plays Marcus, a very eager funeral guest who tries to “comfort” Susan. You can watch the budding genius of Robin Williams in the video below.
There will never be another Robin Williams. While most comedians’ comedy appeals to specific generations and audiences, Robin’s one of those rare talents that will have people rolling on the floor for many generations to come. Please be sure to share this laugh with your friends and family.
