Robin Williams appeared in 'The World According to Garp' in 1982 as his second lead film role, following the troubled production of 'Popeye.' Director George Roy Hill prohibited improvisation during filming, a significant limitation for an actor whose comedic strengths often relied on spontaneity. Though the film achieved modest success with supporting performances earning Oscar nominations, Williams received no recognition and felt constrained by the rigid creative boundaries imposed on him.

Reflecting years later, Williams expressed lingering regret about his work, noting that fatherhood—which began shortly after the film's release—gave him insights he wished he had possessed during production. He remained convinced that real experience with parenthood would have deepened his portrayal of a character navigating family life, and he believed he could have delivered a significantly stronger performance had he possessed that life experience at the time.