How Hollywood Remembers Robin Williams 10 Years After His Death

Robin Williams‘ The legacy still reverberates throughout Hollywood in the years since his death at age 63.

News broke on August 11, 2014, that the actor – who won an Oscar, six Golden Globe Awards, five Grammy Awards and more during his successful career – was found dead at his home in California. There were no illegal drugs or traces of alcohol in his system at the time of his death, which was ruled a suicide.

Soon after Williams’ death, tributes poured in from those who knew him best. “I was not surprised to lose Robin Williams, mensch, great talent, acting partner, true soul,” Steve Martin he wrote about social media at the time.

Sarah Michelle Gellarwho starred alongside Williams on the CBS show The crazy onesshare a couple photo collage. My comedy partner Ellen DeGeneres on Twitter, “I can’t believe the news about Robin Williams. He gave so much to so many people. My heart aches.”

After weeks, Billy Crystal he respected his friend again Father’s Day costar on stage at the 2014 Emmy Awards, calling Williams “the brightest star in the comedy galaxy.”

“It is very difficult to talk about him in the past because he was present in our lives,” continued Crystal. “You made us laugh. It’s difficult. … He can be funny anywhere.”

Crystal praised Williams as “the best friend you could ever imagine,” ending her tearful tribute with a sad thought. “Although some of our brightest celestial bodies are gone now, their power has long cooled, but miraculously, because they float in the heavens far away from noise, their beautiful life will continue to shine on us forever,” he said. said. “And the light will shine brighter. … And you will think to yourself: Robin Williams, what an idea.”

Along with his storied career, which includes roles in Good Will Hunting, Mrs. Doubtfire, Dead Poets Society and more, Williams was a father of three children. He welcomed the son Zak and his first wife, Valerie Velardibefore their split in 1988. With his second wife, Marsha GarcesWilliams shares a daughter Zelda and a son Cody.

Zelda, now 35, spoke publicly about her father’s death for the first time in a magazine Today in February 2015. “I think a lot of people feel that he doesn’t exist. But for me, especially, it will take a lot of work to allow myself to have the good and happy life I had,” she said. “But that is important. Anyone who has ever lost someone works hard to continue that memory in a positive way.”

Asked what he hopes the fans will remember about his father, he continued, “People must remember what they want to remember about him. Who am I to dictate what their childhood memories are of watching his films? Those are their memories. …I have mine, and it’s mine, and I love that. They’re private and lovely and maybe very different, but who knows?”

He added, “The world keeps spinning, but that doesn’t mean he was never in it.”

Zelda and her siblings continued to reflect on the loss of their father, with Zak writing an emotional message on what would have been Williams’ 73rd birthday.

“Not a week goes by without someone telling me how you helped them in a dark or difficult time. I am so grateful to be your son. I love you forever,” Zak, now 41, wrote about X earlier this year.

At the time of his death, Williams was married to him Susan Schneiderwho opened up about his struggle with Lewy dementia following his death. (Williams was previously diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and his autopsy indicated signs of depression and anxiety.)

Like his loved ones, Hollywood stars have mourned Williams’ absence for the past 10 years. Pierce Brosnan he spoke frankly about his sadness Mrs. Doubtfire money in 2019 GQ interview.

“Oh, Robin, even now, his passing is still very painful,” she said. “I miss him. Robin was brilliant.” …

Brosnan previously revealed his first contact with Williams, telling Us Weekly in 2014, “I walked into the trailer and there was Robin in Ugg boots, hairy legs, shorts, a Hawaiian shirt and a hairy chest. That’s how I met Robin Williams, and that’s how I met Mrs. Doubtfire. And I had the time of my life. Every day was just magic with this man.”

In December 2023, Whoopi Goldberg she was moved to tears as she remembered Williams at the annual Kennedy Center Honors ceremony, where Crystal was honored.

“I want to acknowledge … the person who should be standing here with me is my brother Robin,” he said on stage. “You are my family, you are my brother, and you don’t know what an honor it is to see you get what you deserve. I love you. You are a mensch. He is a national treasure. A national treasure. Billy, congratulations.”

While speaking to reporters before the event, Crystal also took the opportunity to reflect on her relationship with Williams. “I really miss my friend Robin tonight, a lot, because of everything we’ve done together,” he said. “I know he’s going to be there, and he is, so it’s special and there’s a lot of emotion for me tonight.”

Some of Williams’ teammates shared their favorite memories Vanity Fair since it has been almost 10 years since he died.

“We knew him as the funniest person in the world, and I remember we had expectations,” Matt Damon he told the outlet, reflecting on his time filming Good Will Hunting. “I’m sure you heard that [pressure] each time. But I found him to be more of a Juilliard-trained actor: serious, quiet, thoughtful. We hadn’t even started practice, and he said that long speech on the park bench, letter-perfect. He came completely prepared, but he was also ready to throw it all out and go with a better idea. “

Night at the Museum‘s Ben Stiller he added, “When he was among his followers, he paid full attention to them.” Skyler Gisondoplaying with my son in the third [Night at the Museum] movie, I had Robin and I help him ask for his announcement date. Robin would go above and beyond to make people happy. He called everyone Boss. ‘Yes, Boss. Do you want me here, Captain?’”

One of the most touching stories emerged Sally Fieldwho joined Williams Mrs. Doubtfire. He remembered being in his car when he heard about his father’s death.

“I was definitely against myself. I came to the set and tried with all my might to do it. I wasn’t crying. Robin came, pulled me out, and asked me, ‘Are you okay?’” he said Vanity Fair.

When he explained what had happened, Williams jumped into action. “[He said]’Oh, my God, we need to get you out of here now,'” he recalled. “And he made it happen – they shot me all day. I could go back to my house and call my brother and fix it. It’s a side of Robin that people rarely knew: He was very sensitive and intuitive. “

Fisher King‘s Jeff Bridges he praised Williams for his “generosity” and sense of humor. “He could find the humor of the cosmos and he let it rip him off,” he said. “And his compassion, the charity events he’s done with Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal … It’s like, we’re not going to be here that long, so give what you’ve got, kid. Of course he did.”

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