‘Nobody Wanted To Play This Alien From Outer Space’: How Robin Williams Absolutely Crushed His Mork And Mindy Audition, According To Henry Winkler

As a devoted fan of classic television, I cannot help but admire the remarkable journey of Robin Williams and his iconic portrayal of Mork in the groundbreaking sitcom “Mork & Mindy.” The show, which ran from 1978 to 1982, was a game-changer for both Williams and the television industry.

Before he became a household name, Robin Williams was still gradually making his mark in the entertainment world. He had appeared on shows like “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” but wasn’t yet a star. But when it came to his audition for “Happy Days,” he turned into a volcano that lit up the stage, leaving everyone in awe and knowing they were witnessing greatness.

It’s hard to imagine anyone else playing Mork, as Williams was able to switch from being shy and human to completely transformative, showcasing his extraordinary talent. The success of “Mork & Mindy” paved the way for other classic sitcoms, and it remains one of the funniest sci-fi shows of all time.

If you’re a fan or just want to see what all the fuss is about, you can catch “Mork & Mindy” on Pluto TV for free. Watching the series is like getting a glimpse into the genius of Robin Williams, and knowing it’s free makes it even more delicious – kind of like a scoop of free, mind-blowingly good ice cream!

Prior to Robin Williams achieving great success in his film career, the now-deceased actor made notable appearances on television, including a starring role in the popular ABC sitcom “Mork & Mindy”. This series spanned four seasons from 1978 to 1982, and revolved around an alien character, portrayed by Williams, who arrives on Earth and forms a friendship with a human who later becomes his roommate and romantic interest, played by Pam Dawber. Henry Winkler reminisced about how Williams’ audition for this groundbreaking sitcom was exceptional, marking one of the best in television history.

Originally, “Mork & Mindy” aired as a standalone episode for “Happy Days,” featuring Robin Williams’ character Mork from Ork meeting Fonzie, Ralph, Potsie, Chachi, and Richie. The saucer that brought Mork was initially a mystery to them. It was during the episode “My Favorite Orkan” that Williams’ exceptional performance caught the producers’ attention, leading them to develop a spin-off show centered around Mork. In a conversation on their podcast “Fake Doctors, Real Friends,” actor Danny Winkler shared that there were no takers for the role of Mork and they had very little time to fill it.

Robin’s tryout for the role is scheduled for this coming Monday at 10 in the morning on the soundstage. Previously, it was mentioned that it would be on a Wednesday. So, when he shows up, it will actually be on a Wednesday, but we start filming on Friday instead. As we speak, a timid, quiet man accompanied by the casting director arrives for the audition. [Mimics Williams] “Hello, hello, hello.

During his audition, Williams was relatively new to the showbiz scene, having appeared in minor film and TV roles. He was a frequent cast member on the comedy series “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” in 1977, but was not yet widely recognized. However, everything changed when he auditioned for “Happy Days.” Initially, he was timid, but as Winkler remembers, the atmosphere in that audition room transformed significantly.

Then, the individual grasped the script. As he began to speak, it seemed as if an eruption occurred on stage 19 at Paramount. And I realized, ‘Step aside, memorize my lines, and avoid challenging this extraordinary talent that had just appeared before me.’

It’s hardly surprising to those familiar with Robin Williams, given his ability to transform from a reserved individual into someone entirely different. This talent is a clear testament to his extraordinary skill as an actor. Whether another actor could have brought Mork to life in the same way remains uncertain, but given Williams’ remarkable performance, they recognized they had struck gold and refused to let the opportunity pass. Consequently, this led to the creation of the popular ’70s and ’80s sci-fi show.

Mork & Mindy is one of the numerous popular sitcoms that fell short of reaching 100 episodes, ceasing at 91 during its initial broadcast, and later adding four more in syndication. Despite this, it continues to be cherished by fans and stands as one of the funniest science fiction TV shows ever made, thanks in large part to Williams’ performance. The spinoffs didn’t resemble the original series or Laverne & Shirley, but that didn’t stop Williams from leaving a lasting impact.

Individuals who are curious about Mork & Mindy, or fans wanting to revisit the show to appreciate more of Williams’ genius, can enjoy the series for free on Pluto TV. The entire four seasons are available on this ad-supported streaming platform, and knowing it’s free adds an extra appeal.

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2024-12-31 22:37