Friends and Fans React to Robin Williams' Death
Williams’s final instagram post (above)
After news of Robin Williams’s death hit on Monday his many friends and colleagues took to social media to express their shock and grief. Williams himself was active on social media — his final post on Instagram was two weeks ago, wishing his daughter, Zelda, a happy 25th birthday: “Happy Birthday to Ms. Zelda Rae Williams! Quarter of a century old today but always my baby girl. Happy Birthday @zeldawilliams Love you!”
Williams’s Mork & Mindy co-star Pam Dawber shared in a statement, “I am completely and totally devastated. What more can be said?!”
"I am sick with grief," tweeted Monty Python star Eric Idle, who appeared with Williams in the big-screen fantasy adventure The Adventures of Baron Munchausen in 1988. “I can’t believe my lovely friend is gone. My heart goes out to his wife and his beloved children. He brought us so much joy and laughter.”
"Very sad, very upset, very glad I did not have to hear about this though Twitter," wrote Mara Wilson, who played Williams’s daughter in the 1993 hit family comedy Mrs. Doubtfire. “Probably going to be taking some time off it for a while.”
Ben Stiller, who appeared with Williams in the Night at the Museum series wrote several tweets on Monday, including a remembrance of his first interaction with the star: “I met him when I was 13 and a huge fan and he was so kind and I watched him be kind to every fan i ever saw him with…”
Jay Leno, who knew Williams before he was famous, shared in a statement (via The Wrap), “I saw him on stage the very first time he auditioned at the Improv in Los Angeles, and we have been friends ever since. It’s a very sad day.”
Chris Meloni, who starred on Law & Order: SVU when Williams made a guest appearance in 2008, posted a photo (above) along with the note, “On our wall. Very sad. #RIPRobinWilliams.”
Danny DeVito, who directed Williams in the 2002 film Death to Smoochy said, “Hard to speak. Hard to say. Hard to take. All I can think about is what a joy he was to be with. I’m devastated.”
Williams’s friend and “Hook” director Steven Spielberg said, “Robin was a lightning storm of comic genius and our laughter was the thunder that sustained him.”
Jessica Chastain recounted on her Facebook page that she went to Juilliard, also Williams’s alma mater, through a scholarship he created. “Robin Williams changed my life. He was a great actor and a generous person,” she wrote.
In 1996, Williams starred with Bill Cosby in Jack. Cosby simply said, “I am so stunned.”
Goldie Hawn wrote, “Oh Robin…Our hearts are broken. Rest in peace darling. We loved you.”
Steve Martin also took to Twitter, saying, “I could not be more stunned by the loss of Robin Williams, mensch, great talent, acting partner, genuine soul.”
"What ever you said, he inhaled out of the air and then threw it back at you," remembered Henry Winkler, who appeared with Williams when he was fresh on the scene on Happy Days as Mork. Winkler went on to tell The Hollywood Reporter on Monday, ”There was not one time it came out the same. There was not one time it was not truly, endlessly and fervently funny. You saw it and your mouth dropped. You couldn’t believe it. I’ve worked with a lot of people and there is and was no one quite like him.”
“Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between,” wrote President Barack Obama in a statement issued by the White House. “But he was one of a kind. He arrived in our lives as an alien – but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit.”
Fellow standup comedian Kathy Griffin wrote, “I met this sweet, generous & brilliant man Robin Williams in 1991. Here we are with HIS idol Jonathan Winters. # RIP.” (See above photo)
The official Sesame Street handle tweeted a photo of Williams laughing with the note: “We mourn the loss of our friend Robin Williams, who always made us laugh and smile.”
"One of the greatest nights of my youth was spent with dear Robin Williams," Val Kilmer shared on Twitter. “Let’s all get closer to our friends who are down, and share love.”
James Woods shared his shock and grief on Twitter, too: “Robin’s death is an incomprehensible tragedy. There simply are no words. Blessings on his loved ones.”
"Robin Williams made the world laugh & think," wrote Kevin Spacey. “I will remember & honor that. A great man, artist and friend. I will miss him beyond measure.”
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel chose to send a message to those who might need it along with his tribute to Williams, who died from an apparent suicide: “Robin was as sweet a man as he was funny. If you’re sad, please tell someone.”
Record producer Quincy Jones remembered Williams, writing, “RIP to my dear brother and friend Robin Williams. The world will miss the decades of laughter that you gave all of us.”
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences tweeted the above photo along with the note, “Genie, you’re free,” referencing Williams’ memorable role in Disney’s 1992 animated hit Aladdin.
Evan Rachel Wood recognized that Williams was a “huge part of my childhood,” also referencing the Disney film.
"I can’t believe the news about Robin Williams. He gave so much to so many people. I’m heartbroken," tweeted comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.
"R.i.P Robin Williams.His genius as artist & comedian will B missed & his support of R troops no doubt was much appreciated by all who serve," tweeted Gary Sinise.
Questlove, of the hip-hop band The Roots, recalled how meaningful it was when he first met Williams at the Grammys and the Good Will Hunting actor revealed he was a fan. “Everytime I saw him afterwards he tried to top his trivia knowledge on all things Roots associated. Simply because he knew that meant everything to me.”
Peter Fonda remembered the late entertainer, writing, “So sad Robin Williams was a special friend and I will miss him forever.”
Photo credits: @KathyGriffin/Twitter, @SesameStreet/Twitter, Robin Williams/Instagram, AMPAS/Disney
