Robin Williams

Robin Williams, born on July 21, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois, was one of the most beloved and versatile comedians and actors of his generation. Known for his rapid-fire improvisational skills and the ability to seamlessly switch between comedy and drama, Williams left an indelible mark on both television and film. Throughout his career, he brought joy and laughter to millions, while also delivering deeply emotional performances. Here are 15 fun facts that you might not know about Robin Williams. Enjoy these fun facts as we celebrate the life of a true entertainment legend.
Robin Williams
1

Robin Williams was a classically trained actor and attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where he was classmates with Christopher Reeve.

2

He was known for his improvisational skills and often ad-libbed many of his lines, including the majority of his dialogue in 'Aladdin'.

3

Williams won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in 'Good Will Hunting' (1997).

4

He was a close friend of Steven Spielberg and often called him during the filming of 'Schindler's List' to tell jokes and lift his spirits.

5

Robin Williams started his career as a stand-up comedian in San Francisco and Los Angeles in the mid-1970s.

6

He was known for his charitable work and frequently visited children's hospitals, often in character as Mrs. Doubtfire or Patch Adams.

7

Williams named his daughter Zelda after the video game character Princess Zelda from the 'Legend of Zelda' series.

8

He was a huge fan of cycling and often went on long bike rides with fellow actor Lance Armstrong.

9

Robin Williams was offered the role of the Joker in Tim Burton's 'Batman' (1989), but the role eventually went to Jack Nicholson.

10

He was an avid gamer and often played video games to unwind, with some of his favorites being 'The Legend of Zelda' and 'Call of Duty'.

11

Williams was posthumously awarded the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for 'Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind'.

12

He provided the voice for the character of Dr. Know in Steven Spielberg's film 'A.I. Artificial Intelligence'.

13

Robin Williams was the first choice for the role of Hagrid in the 'Harry Potter' series, but was turned down because the producers wanted a British actor.

14

He once performed a 90-minute set in front of just two homeless people in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.

15

Williams was awarded the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement at the 2005 Golden Globe Awards.

The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson and based on J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy novels, is one of the most successful and beloved film franchises of all time. Released between 2001 and 2003, the trilogy captivated audiences with its stunning visuals, complex characters, and epic storytelling. The films won numerous awards, including a record-tying 11 Oscars for 'The Return of the King.' Here are 15 fun facts about the movie 'The Lord of the Rings.' These fun facts provide a deeper insight into the making of this cinematic masterpiece.
The Lord of the Rings
1

The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed entirely in New Zealand, with the country's diverse landscapes serving as the perfect backdrop for Middle-earth.

2

Over 20,000 costumes were made for the trilogy, with each piece meticulously crafted to reflect the culture and history of the characters wearing them.

3

Viggo Mortensen, who played Aragorn, performed many of his own stunts and insisted on using a real steel sword during filming, even carrying it with him off set to stay in character.

4

The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed simultaneously over 438 days, making it one of the longest and most ambitious film shoots in cinematic history.

5

Sean Bean, who played Boromir, was afraid of flying and would often hike or take a ski lift to reach remote filming locations, even when other cast members opted for helicopter rides.

6

The role of Gandalf was originally offered to Sean Connery, who turned it down because he didn't understand the script. The role eventually went to Sir Ian McKellen, who received an Oscar nomination for his performance.

7

Andy Serkis, who portrayed Gollum, spent four years developing the character's voice and movement, and his performance revolutionized the use of motion-capture technology in film.

8

The intricate maps of Middle-earth seen in the films were hand-drawn by artist Daniel Reeve, who used calligraphy techniques to add an authentic medieval feel.

9

The hobbit feet prosthetics worn by Elijah Wood and the other hobbit actors took over an hour to apply each day and required a special adhesive to keep them in place during filming.

10

The Black Speech inscription on the One Ring was created using Tengwar, an Elvish script developed by J.R.R. Tolkien, and translates to 'One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them.'

11

Peter Jackson made a cameo in each of the films, appearing as various characters such as a Rohan soldier, a Corsair pirate, and a peasant in Bree.

12

The final battle scene in 'The Return of the King' involved over 20,000 extras, with many of the soldiers being portrayed by members of the New Zealand army.

13

Liv Tyler, who played Arwen, learned Elvish for her role and even spoke the language fluently in several scenes, demonstrating her dedication to the character.

14

The sound of the fell beasts' screeches was created by mixing the sounds of a donkey and a car door slamming, just one example of the creative sound design used in the films.

15

The Lord of the Rings trilogy won a total of 17 Academy Awards out of 30 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay for 'The Return of the King.'

Robert de Niro

Robert De Niro, born on August 17, 1943, in New York City, is a legendary actor, director, and producer. Known for his intense dedication to his craft, De Niro has delivered some of the most memorable performances in film history. With a career spanning over five decades, he has become a symbol of method acting and has won numerous awards, including two Academy Awards. Here are 15 fun facts that you might not know about Robert De Niro. Enjoy these fun facts as we explore the life of one of Hollywood’s greatest actors.
Robert de Niro
1

Robert De Niro gained 60 pounds to play the older version of Jake LaMotta in 'Raging Bull', a transformation that earned him an Academy Award.

2

He is known for his method acting approach and once spent a month driving a taxi to prepare for his role in 'Taxi Driver'.

3

De Niro has a reputation for being very private, rarely giving interviews or discussing his personal life in public.

4

He turned down the role of Han Solo in 'Star Wars' before it was offered to Harrison Ford.

5

Robert De Niro co-founded the Tribeca Film Festival in 2002 as a way to revitalize the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan after the 9/11 attacks.

6

He holds dual citizenship in the United States and Italy, thanks to his Italian heritage.

7

De Niro's father, Robert De Niro Sr., was a well-known abstract expressionist painter.

8

He learned to speak fluent Italian for his role in 'The Godfather Part II'.

9

De Niro is famous for his collaborations with director Martin Scorsese, having worked on nine films together.

10

He had a long-standing friendship with comedian and actor Robin Williams, with whom he starred in 'Awakenings'.

11

Robert De Niro is a restaurateur and co-owner of the Nobu restaurant chain.

12

He was considered for the role of Frank Serpico in the film 'Serpico', but it ultimately went to Al Pacino.

13

De Niro’s commitment to his roles is legendary; he had his teeth ground down for his part in 'Cape Fear' to look more menacing.

14

He played the role of both a young and old Vito Corleone in 'The Godfather Part II', a performance that won him an Academy Award.

15

Robert De Niro has six children and has been married twice, first to Diahnne Abbott and then to Grace Hightower.