Sacha Baron Cohen is recalling Robbin William’s rare ability to make his audience cry and smile at the same time.
During a conversation with Josh Horowitz at 92NY on Wednesday, October 21, the Borat star named the Good Will Hunting star and Dustin Hoffman as two actors who have inspired him and whose films had deeply moved him.
Cohen recalled watching Hoffman’s 1979 film Kramer vs. Kramer for the first time and becoming emotional.
“I think Kramer vs. Kramer. First time I saw that, man, I was crying,” he recounted.
“I was going out with a girl whose parents were divorced, and I suddenly understood that parents are divorced. I saw it again recently and, oh Jesus, Dustin Hoffman, what an incredible actor.”
Gushing over Hoffman’s ability to make his performances feel real and emotional, Cohen said, “I mean, it’s like you’ve got to watch it again. That, and he’s unbelievable. You know, he really is unbelievable.”
The British filmmaker further noted, “Just the reality of it and the emotion, and that’s why I used to love also Robin Williams.”
Cohen then raved about Williams’ ability to move audiences with his performance, noting that it was especially inspiring.
“That ability to not … Oh My God, that ability to make you laugh and then make you cry, that was something that I found so inspiring,” he praised.
Cohen, however, did not mention his favorite movie of Williams, but the late actor is famed for his role in Good Will Hunting and Mrs. Doubtfire.
It is pertinent to mention that Williams died by suicide back in 2014 at the age of 63.
