No one expected it from someone who was once voted “funniest man alive.” No one expected Robin Williams, a shy, chubby child turned top comedic actor, to take his own life Aug. 11.

Williams was more than an actor. He was also a husband, father, former athlete and a fluent French speaker. Williams’ suicide was a buzz topic to end the summer, creating discussions revolving around mental health, suicide and remembrance of the actor. Here are a few more things you may not have known about the man who was the voice behind the beloved blue genie.

1. Least likely to succeed

Williams, born in 1951, graduated from Redwood High School, which is north of San Francisco. He joined the drama club, was involved in theater and ran track. He was also voted “least likely to succeed” by his classmates. In 1973, he was one of 20 freshmen selected to study at The Juilliard School. 

He also won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in “Good Will Hunting” and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor three times. He received two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, five Grammy Awards and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Before attending The Juilliard School, he played soccer at Claremont Men’s College.

2. Big break

His big break came in 1978 when he was cast as an alien on “Happy Days” and later cast as Mork on “Mork & Mindy.” He played out Mork in three different series: “Happy Days,” “Mork & Mindy” and “Out of the Blue.”

Many remember Williams wearing a dress and toting a white wig as Mrs. Doubtfire in 1993, which won the Academy Award for Best Makeup. Williams coproduced the movie, which landed a spot in the American Film Institute’s list of the 100 funniest movies in the 20th century.

While working on “Mork & Mindy,” Williams developed a drug and alcohol problem. He faced this for about 20 years.

3. Genie ad-lib

Williams ad-libbed 16 hours worth of material for his gig as the Genie in “Aladdin.” He ad-libbed so many of his lines that, according to IMDb, the script was turned down for a Best Adapted Screenplay Academy Award nomination. Williams was also turned down for a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nomination because he was only the voice of the Genie.

About two weeks after his death, the Genie’s songs grew in popularity on the billboard charts. Two of Williams’ songs as the Genie, “Prince Ali” and “Friend Like Me,” re-entered to the top five songs on the kid digital songs chart. The complete “Aladdin” soundtrack, according to Billboard.com, also caught a sales increase on the soundtrack albums chart.

4. Athlete

Rewind about 30 years from winning Best Supporting Actor in “Good Will Hunting,” and Williams was a high school track and cross country athlete at Redwood High School in Larkspur, Calif. His time for the 4-x-440 was still the last known record as of 2000, according to highshoolsports.nola.com. Williams is still ranked number seven in the 880-yard run.

5. A family man

Williams was a husband and a father. He, with his first ex-wife Valerie Velardi, welcomed his first child, Zachary Pym Williams, on April 11, 1983, when Williams was 31. Zelda Rae Williams, his second child with second ex-wife Marsha Garces Williams, arrived on July 31, 1989. Cody Alan Williams, born Nov. 25, 1991, was also with Marsha Garces Williams. Williams didn’t have children with his third wife, Susan Schneider.

6. Animal admirer

Animals costarred alongside Williams in a number of movies, including “The Crazy Ones,” where he worked with a baby duck, and “Night at the Museum,” where he worked with a capuchin monkey.

In addition to working with animals on set, Williams had two dogs, a Boston terrier named Verna Pearl, and Leonard, a pug adopted from an animal rescue shelter in New York.

Williams also took his love for animals to his diet when he turned vegan and didn’t wear animal products such as wool or leather, according to Global Animal.

7. Personal struggles

Williams dealt with addictions to alcohol and drugs starting in the 1980s. He quit using cocaine in 1982 when his first wife was pregnant with their first son. After about 20 years of sobriety, Williams checked himself into rehab to be treated for alcoholism and left rehab in 2006, according to AlcoholismRehab.org.

Williams’ representative, Mara Buxbaum, confirmed his death Aug. 11 and said, “[Williams] has been battling severe depression of late. This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.”

After the news of Williams’ death, Schneider released a statement saying, “This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings. I am utterly heartbroken … As he is remembered, it is our hope the focus will not be on Robin’s death, but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions.”

For students dealing with depression or thoughts of suicide, contact Student Counseling Services at 294-5056. For more urgent circumstances, call 911.