Robin Williamsis one of the greatest comedians and actors of our time, lighting up screens across the world for decades. Whether it was through his infectious sense of humor or genuine empathy, he knew how to work his way into audiences' hearts. With films likeGood Will Huntingand shows likeMork & Mindy, he brought every project he worked on to life, utilizing his charm and silliness.
Some of his most notable performances came during his appearances on NBC’s long-runningSaturday Night Liveprogram. Thefamous short-form sketch comedyfit Robin’s style perfectly, producing hilarious skits that are still referenced to this day. Performing alongside comedy icons such as Jon Lovitz and Dana Carvey, Williams was able to showcase his absurd physical comedy, strong impersonation skills, and hilarious writing abilities through these brilliant sketches. From Elmer Fudd to Ronald Reagan, these are the funniest Robin Williams sketches inSNLhistory.
9Living With a Mime
Season 9, Episode 12
This list starts off with a sketch in which Williams does not use his voice, playing a silent mime. This sketch starts with a man getting home from a stressful day at work, complaining about how his girlfriend broke up with him. This cues in the mime, doing the “walking up the stairs” bit from behind the couch, and sneaking up behind the man to scare him. Through imitation and mockery, the mime manages to anger the man even more, going so far as to answer a call from the man’s now ex-girlfriend and remaining silent until she hangs up.
What works so well in this sketch is the chemistry between the two leads. The mime’s unwillingness to be affected by any erratic behavior becomes funnier as the man gets continually angrier. The ultimate punchline in the sketch comes when the man pulls a gun on the mime, who continues to imitate him, showing no reaction to the weapon. In a fit of rage, the man shoots and kills the mime, who finally utters a sentence. In response to the gunshot, the neighbors barge in, frightened by the dead body before them — until they discover the dead man is a mime, and they cheer in unison.
8Master Thespian: Can’t Get It Right
Season 12, Episode 5
The reoccurring “Master Thespian” character played by Jon Lovitz makes his appearance in this Robin Williams sketch, unable to remember his lines. Opposite the last skit on this list, Robin Williams plays the increasingly frustrated man, working himself up more and more with every take. Although Williams, the extremely expressive director, gets more hyper with each cut, he continually gives the “Master Thespian” a chance to correctly perform his scene. Only upon finally calling it quits does the actor accidentally perform the right line, to which the director runs to plant a kiss on his lips in excitement.
Lovitz’s iconic performance is perhaps at its best here, hitting hilarious quips on every beat. With Williams playing his classic bubbly farce, the two bounce off each other seamlessly without a pause, showing the powerful collaboration of their comedic genius.
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7Firing Line: Spontaneous Combustion of Black Entertainers
This spoof ofFiring Line, the old PBS talk show, features Robin Williams as host William F. Buckley Jr. By committing to the realism of the content they are parodying, this sketch is set up for success. Williams interviews Eddie Murphy, playing Dr. Phillip Holder, about the inflammability of Black men. The sketch seems to play on the racist notions of the host, who brings on a doctor to try to explain a ridiculous concept. What ranks this sketch as one of his best is the punchline, as Eddie Murphy, upon explaining the reasoning for the spontaneous combustion of Black men, begins to emit smoke, ultimately proving the ludicrous theory that the sketch was discussing.
This sketch brings the audience back to Shakespearean theatre, starring Jon Lovitz as William Shakespeare and Robin Williams as Sir Robin of Wiltshire. Sir Robin is auditioning for a role inHamlet, displaying improvisational comedy skills for the great playwright. Shakespeare does not think much of the actor’s skills, believing him to be unfit for a role in his next play.
The basis of this sketch is Robin Williams in a Shakespearean role, performing comedic bits that have not even been invented yet. It works due to the hilarity of Williams himself, who, playing opposite Lovitz’s “straight man” Shakespeare, stands out like a sore thumb in this medieval world. For fans of Robin Williams, this sketch is a perfect representation of the brilliant comedy that the actor could bring to any role, which earns it a spot in this list.
5Budd Light
Perhaps the shortest sketch on this list, “Budd Light” is a spoof of an old series of Budweiser sports-focused commercials, titled “Bring Out Your Best”. This sketch goes as far as to emulate the same lighting and general atmosphere that the ads had, making it feel like an ad that Budweiser could have actually aired.
Williams plays a hockey player opposite his rival, played by Joe Piscopo. These players start fighting the instant the puck is dropped, knocking each other to the ground. The ad ends with the two sitting on the ice, sharing a beer, as they laugh with their toothless grins and bloody faces. Such a simple spoof works so well, as it feels like it would fit right into the ad campaign, despite the hilarity and brutality of the content.
4Ronald Reagan Press Conference
SNLis no stranger to Presidential impersonations, most notablyAlec Baldwin as Donald Trumpand Dana Carvey as George H.W. Bush. One that is not talked about as frequently, however, is Robin Williams' performance as President Ronald Reagan. The sketch begins with his staffers putting an earpiece in his ear, letting him know that everything they say will be heard by him during his press conference, so that they can walk him through the reporters' questions.
What seems like a good idea quickly devolves as their radio catches interference, leading Reagan to commentate a baseball game to the reporters, relay air traffic information, and provide them with the latest world news. Williams' ability to go over the top is on flawless display here, as he jumps between different voices and facial expressions over the course of a few seconds. This became one of his most famous sketches, as his outward similarity to the 40th President combined with his knack for physical comedy combined for a hilarious sketch.
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3What’s Up With That?
Season 36, Episode 8
“What’s Up With That?” is a running bit onSNLthat has seen many celebrity faces appear through its different iterations. This one features Robin Williams and Robert De Niro as themselves, alongside Bill Hader portraying Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham. Although Robin Williams does not add much to this sketch, part of the hilarity comes from the fact that the two Academy Award-winning actors are both playing the “straight man” as chaos ensues around them.
With Kenan Thompson constantly breaking into song, Jason Sudeikis doing his now iconicTed Lassodance, Andy Samberg asGodzillavillain Mothra, a Kristen Wiig solo, and an Oompa Loompa and Boba Fett, this sketch leaves nothing to the imagination. With a theme song that will be stuck in your head for the next week, “What’s Up With That?” works because of how dumb it is, purposely stooping to that level for ridiculous laughs.
2Robin’s 60th Birthday
Season 13, Episode 7
This sketch features Robin Williams playing a senile, old version of himself, past his glory days and grumpy about everything. His son, played by Dana Carvey, comes by to wish him a happy 60th birthday. Upon entering the room, his son immediately starts trying comedic bits with everything in the room, from the phone to a loose beanie. Through these acts, it is clear that he is the son of Robin Williams, committing to his iconic form of over-the-top comedy, filled with voice impersonations and physical bits.
The spunk of his son rejuvenates Robin, who gets up and begins to improvise with him. This leads the audience down a long string of hilarious impersonations, including Ted Kennedy as Bugs Bunny and Gandhi in a Jack in the Box restaurant. The incredible skills of Carvey and Williams are on full display here, creating endless laughs. The ultimate kicker comes when his son leaves, and Robin proclaims that he never had the heart to tell him he was an orphan.
1Proud Dad
Season 13, Episode 9
The top entry on this list, “Proud Dad” combines Robin Williams' outlandish comedy with a greatSNLpremise—a dad who is so excited to show his friends the recording of the birth of his son. What he does not explain, however, is the fact that the video only features himself, as his wife, who is in the middle of giving birth, struggles to hold up the camera for him to get his moment. Berating his wife if the camera moves off him, Williams cracks jokes with the doctor, doing anything he can to stay in focus.
After the tape ends, it cuts to Williams, who exclaims that the birth video always makes him cry. As his friend’s wife goes into labor, he hands off the video camera to his friend, who excitedly tells his wife to start recording. The pinnacle of his time onSNL, this sketch takes a hilarious premise that plays to Williams' strengths, providing non-stop laughs for viewers.
