Robin Williams
Reuters

Actor Robin Williams has been found dead at the age of 63.

The Oscar-winning actor was a man of shocking versatility. In children's films like Aladdin and Mrs Doubtfire he proved to be a one-of-a-kind clown of the big screen, but in the likes of Insomnia and One Hour Photo he also proved that he could play sick and twisted too.

In between were the roles for which Williams was most celebrated. He won an Academy Award for his role in Good Will Hunting, and in Dead Poet's Society, his poetry teacher John Keating inspired his pupils to "contribute a verse".

Williams contributed plenty. Here five of the greatest Robin Williams performances...

Aladdin (1992)

As the manic Genie in Disney's Aladdin, Williams was given free reign to go full tilt bonkers, and to say he made the most of that would be an understatement. For many Aladdin would have been (and will still be for years to come) their first time witnessing the barmy charm of Williams, a charm he put to good use creating one of the greatest screen sidekicks in film history.

Mrs Doubtfire (1993)

The early 90s for Williams' time and Mrs Doubtfire offered a chance to delight children around the world once again, but this time with more than just his voice. Cross-dressing comedies tend to be pretty awful, but Mrs Doubtfire had enough heart to make the tale of a father disguising himself as a bewigged scottish nanny to see his children more charming than creepy.

That said, Mrs Doubtfire still works is a creepy horror thriller if you cut it the right way.

Good Will Hunting (1997)

The film that earned Williams a thoroughly-deserved Oscar in the Best Supporting Actor category is probably best remembered for being the breakout film for future mega-stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, who also won an Oscar for their script.

What Williams leant the film was a gravitas and known-quality that was lacking with newbies Damon and Affleck front and centre. He also, of course, leant a fantastic performance as the teacher and former roommate who brings Damon's Will Hunting out of his shell.

Insomnia (2002)

Insomnia represented one of the few times Williams dropped the prominent comic side of his work to venture into darker territory. Opposite Al Pacino's sleep-deprived LA detective, Williams played a killer itching to take the credit for his crimes. One Hour Photo might have been even creepier, but Insomnia is where it started.

Dead Poet's Society (1989)

Perhaps the best summation of all Williams' talents. Dead Poet's Society showed off the great actor's capacity to make us laugh, make us cry and inspire us.