The iconic comedian and A-list actor named Robin Williams passed away several years ago, but the actor (who was known among Disney fans for his performance as the Genie in two Aladdin films from Walt Disney Feature Animation) recently returned — in a manner of speaking — for a very heartwarming ode to Disney Animation and Walt Disney Pictures!
In a new short called Once Upon a Studio that was created for Disney’s 100th anniversary, Robin Williams returned to his Disney role…or, at least, his voice did.
Robin Williams Returns
Disney Legend Josh Gad, who has become known for voicing the Frozen snowman Olaf in many Disney projects, just shared a heartfelt post on social media about hearing Robin Williams’ “previously unheard audio” as his character Genie prepared to appear in the centenary short.
“Now that it’s premiered at Annecy, I’m so excited to finally have the world see what @DisneyAnimation has created to celebrate the incredible 100 year legacy of the studio,” Josh Gad wrote in the Instagram post shown below.
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“I nearly cried when I was told Olaf would appear alongside the Genie, utilizing previously unheard audio from my idol #RobinWilliams,” the self-identifying Disney Fanatic added.
Genie, Meet Olaf
Robin Williams played the Genie in both Aladdin (1992) and Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996), although he did not appear in The Return of Jafar (1994). Williams sang two songs from the Howard Ashman and Alan Menken musical: “Prince Ali” and “Friend Like Me,”
Josh Gad also shared a touching photo showing the Genie and Olaf.
I Know You, I Walked With You “Once Upon a Studio”
In the new Once Upon a Studio short, which premiered at the Annecy International Animation Festival, Disney characters appear by the hundreds. Some are classic Disney characters like Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, while others are more modern Disney characters like Moana, Maui, and Elsa.
Robin Williams was a beloved and very well-respected actor in Hollywood, so learning that he was an idol of Disney Legend Josh Gad is not surprising — especially since Josh Gad is a successful comedic actor in his own right and also has affiliations with Disney. Some might say that his affiliations with Disney are even more pronounced than the late Robin William’s!
Many Disney fans were thrilled and moved upon hearing Robin Williams in his Disney role. Were you among them?
