Robin Williams

Robin Williams could improvise entire worlds in seconds. From Mork & Mindy to stand-up stages, his mind moved faster than anyone could follow — and yet his greatest performances were the quiet ones: Dead Poets Society, Good Will Hunting, which won him an Academy Award.

He was famous for unbilled visits to children's hospitals and for befriending strangers who needed a laugh at exactly the right moment. Genie, Mrs. Doubtfire, Peter Pan — for millions of children he simply was joy.

Robin died on 11 August 2014. The world's grief was immediate and immense. What remains is what he gave: two generations who learned from him that laughter is a form of love.

A comet of a comedian and an actor of extraordinary tenderness. He made the whole world laugh — and taught it something about kindness, too.