TMDb/Dead Poets Society TV Explore Robin Williams' rise to fame in the 80s and stream his iconic role in Dead Poets Society, now on Hulu. April 9, 2026 AceShowbiz - The 1980s marked a defining era for Robin Williams, propelling him from smaller roles in projects like Can I Do It... 'Til I Need Glasses? and TV appearances on The Richard Pryor Show and Happy Days, to more prominent film roles. After landing his first lead in Popeye (1980), Williams quickly gained critical acclaim through films such as The World According to Garp and Good Morning, Vietnam.