Robin Williams and "Battlestar Galactica" :-)

In a word...WOW!  My mind is officially blown!  :-)

Who knew that prior to being cast in his star-making role as Mork from Ork on "Mork and Mindy", the late, great Robin Williams auditioned for the role of Lt. Starbuck on "Battlestar Galactica" (1978 - 79)?!?  This surely must be one of the best kept secrets in Hollywood!  :-)

It's fun to imagine how vastly different "Battlestar Galactica" would have been if Robin Williams had gotten the part! Can you picture Williams piloting a Viper...destroying Cylons left and right...gambling...smoking fumerellos...romancing Athena and Cassiopeia...not to mention Aurora and Miri (and maybe even the singing alien Tucana Sisters!) and becoming stranded on a lost planet with a Cylon as his only companion?  I can see it...I honestly can!  :-)

Robin Williams as Mork from Ork
- "Mork and Mindy" (1978 - 82)

**If** Robin Williams had played Starbuck, would "Battlestar Galactica" have been a 4 season hit for ABC like "Mork and Mindy" was?  Check out this great vintage video clip (above) featuring Williams outfitted as a Colonial Warrior from "Battlestar Galactica" and decide for yourself!  [All kidding aside - and in the the interest of full disclosure, this fun video clip - is NOT "Battlestar Galactica" audition footage - it's actually from a 1982 TV special called "E.T. and Friends" that Robin Williams hosted].

Can we call him Lt. Morkbuck?  Lt. Starmork?  :-)

Dirk Benedict as Lt. Starbuck
- "Battlestar Galactica" (1978 - 79)