Robin Williams: Celebrities reflect on his death

Celebrity colleagues and admirers of Robin Williams shared their reactions Monday to his death at age 63 in an apparent suicide: 

“I am completely and totally devastated. What more can be said?” -— Mork & Mindy co-star Pam Dawber, in a statement. 

“Robin was a lightning storm of comic genius and our laughter was the thunder that sustained him. He was a pal and I can’t believe he’s gone.” — Hook director Steven Spielberg, in a statement. 

“I could not be more stunned by the loss of Robin Williams, mensch, great talent, acting partner, genuine soul.” — Waiting for Godot co-star Steve Martin, on Twitter. 

“Robin and I were great friends, suffering from the same little-known disease: depression. I never could have expected this ending to his life and to ours with him. God bless him and God bless us all for his LIFE! I cannot believe this. I am overwhelmed with grief. What a wonderful man/boy and what a tremendous talent in the most important art of any time — comedy! I loved him.” — actor-comedian Chevy Chase, in a statement. 

“Robin Williams, an original. Godspeed. X, sj.” — The Crazy Ones co-star Sarah Jessica Parker, on Twitter. 

“Very sad, very upset, very glad I did not have to hear about this through Twitter. Probably going to be taking some time off it for a while.” — Mrs Doubtfire co-star Mara Wilson, on Twitter. 

“Robin Williams changed my life. He was a great actor and a generous person. Through a scholarship, he made it possible for me to graduate college. His generous spirit will forever inspire me to support others as he supported me. He will forever be missed.” — Actress Jessica Chastain, on Facebook. 

“What I will always remember about Robin, perhaps even more than his comic genius, extraordinary talent and astounding intellect, was his huge heart - his tremendous kindness, generosity, and compassion as an acting partner, colleague and fellow traveler in a difficult world.” — The Birdcage co-star Nathan Lane, in a statement. 

“I saw him on stage the very first time he auditioned at the Improv and we have been friends ever since. It’s a very sad day.” — talk show host and comedian Jay Leno, in a statement. 

“We have lost one of our most inspired and gifted comic minds, as well as one of this generation’s greatest actors. To watch Robin work, was a magical and special privilege. His performances were unlike anything any of us had ever seen, they came from some spiritual and otherworldly place. He truly was one of the few people who deserved the title of ‘genius.’” — Mrs. Doubtfire director Chris Columbus, in a statement. 

“His impact on the world was so positive. He did so much good for people. He made me and so many people laugh so hard for a very long time.” — Night at the Museum” co-star Ben Stiller, on Twitter. “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 ... And with other actors he was so generous and brilliant. He made everyone feel special and equal around him even though he was the genius.” 

“Robin was friend, boss, brother, inspiration. His generosity and intelligence knew no limits.” — Mrs. Doubtfire co-star Harvey Fierstein, on Twitter. 

“I am absolutely heartbroken. Robin was a national treasure and a beautiful soul.” — The World According to Garp co-star Glenn Close, in a statement. 

“I’ve never known a sweeter, brighter, more considerate person than Robin. Robin’s commitment as an artist to lifting our mood and making us happy is compared to none. He loved us all and we loved him back.” — Old Dogs co-star John Travolta, in a statement. 

“He always lit up when he was able to make people laugh, and he made them laugh his whole life long — tirelessly. He was one of a kind. There will not be another.” — Mrs. Doubtfire co-star Sally Field, in a statement. 

“A big tenacious overflowing hyperkinetic eruption of compassion would be (the) best tribute to Williams.” — Lee Daniels’ The Butler co-star John Cusack, on Twitter. 

“Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between. 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.” — US President Barack Obama, in a statement. 

“When I was 14 years old, I went on location to film Mrs. Doubtfire for five months, and my high school was not happy. My job meant an increased workload for teachers, and they were not equipped to handle a “non-traditional” student. So, during filming, they kicked me out. It’s devastating, at 14, to have your formal education terminated. I felt like a freak and a reject. When I arrived at work the next day, Robin noticed that I was sad and asked me what was wrong. I explained what had happened, and the next day, he handed me a letter that he wrote to my school. He explained that I was just trying to continue my education while pursuing my career. He wrote embarrassingly kind things about my character and my work ethic, and requested that they reconsider and allow me to return to my classes.” — Mrs. Doubtfire co-star Lisa Jakub in a blog post. 

“Very sad, very upset, very glad I did not have to hear about this through Twitter. Probably going to be taking some time off it for a while.” – Mrs. Doubtfire co-star Mara Wilson, on Twitter. 

“The world has lost a special soul, Robin touched our hearts, he gave us laughter, he gave us joy, he made us think about the impossible. I’m blessed to have been able to walk inside his universe. He forever changed this world with his presence. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to all those who hold him dear.” — Good Morning Vietnam co-star Forest Whitaker to justjared.com. 

“My heart is broken at the loss of our friend Robin Williams. I say our friend because he was a friend to all. The only thing that out shined the immensity of his genius was the enormity of his heart. He always embraced you with his generous infectious spirit. His extraordinary artistry will live forever, and if you had the great privilege of his warm embrace you to will forever have been blessed by Robin. Rest in peace my friend. We will miss you deeply,” — Dead Again co-star Andy Garcia, to JustJared.com. 

“I will never forget the day I met him and he stood on his head in my office chair and pretended to drink a glass of water using his finger like a straw. The first season of Mork & Mindy, I knew immediately that a three-camera format would not be enough to capture Robin and his genius talent. So I hired a fourth camera operator and he just followed Robin. Only Robin. Looking back, four cameras weren’t enough. I should have hired a fifth camera to follow him too. Robin was hands-down a comedy genius and one of the most talented performers I have ever worked with in television or film. To lose him so young at the age of 63 is just a tragedy. I will forever be in awe of his timing, his talent and his pure and golden creativity. He could make everybody happy but himself. He was my friend and it is rare that you ever have a friend that is also a genius.” — Mork & Mindy creator Garry Marshall on deadline.com. 

“This incredible, delicate, funny, dramatic human being is gone. When he came to do Happy Days, we usually rehearsed Monday to Fridays; he came in Wednesday because they couldn’t find anybody to play this alien from space that Garry Marshall had thought of. And we started rehearsing and I quickly realized I was in the presence of greatness. Hands down — this is not hyperbole.

“My only job was to keep a straight face and it was impossible because no matter that you said to him — no matter what line you gave to him, he took it in, processed it and then it flew out of his mouth, never the same way twice… You knew, Oh boy, you’re witnessing the beginning of something unbelievably special. He was electric — electrifying — and he was like, that no matter what he did, all the time… No matter what he did, he was that… It was just an amazing thing to witness.” — Happy Days co-star Henry Winkler on deadline.com 

“I met Robin when we made Good Will Hunting together and we were so proud to work with him and especially thrilled he won his well-deserved Oscar for his role. He was a titan in our industry and his one-of-kind talent is irreplaceable. He’d tell us all to let the show go on, but I know we’ll all pause to remember our beautiful friend and colleague.” — Producer and co-chairman of The Weinstein Company Harvey Weinstein, in a statement. 

“It’s heartbreaking. Robin Williams was one the sweetest, most generous, caring, philanthropic people of our generation. He was just a sweetheart in every respect. The thought of him being in that kind of pain is just crushing. He gave so much to so many of us. There’s not a single person on this planet that could touch what he did. He really was a national treasure.” — Jeffrey Katzenberg, executive producer of Aladdin, Dead Poets Society and Good Morning Vietnam. 

“We’re deeply saddened by the loss of Robin Williams, a wonderfully gifted man who touched our hearts and never failed to make us laugh. An incredible actor and a comedic genius, Robin will always be remembered for bringing some of the world’s favourite characters to life, from his zany alien on ABC’s Mork & Mindy to the irascible genie in Disney’s Aladdin. He was a true Disney Legend, a beloved member of our family, and he will be sorely missed. We join Robin’s friends and fans everywhere in mourning, and offer our thoughts and condolences to his family during this difficult time.” — Bob Iger, chairman and CEO of Disney, in a statement.  

“The talent was legendary. But equally inspiring, perhaps more so, was his kindness and humanity. Gentle soul who touched us all.” — Producer David E. Kelley, who created television show The Crazy Ones starring Williams, in a statement. 

“Robin Williams was a comedy giant, and although we only knew him personally for a season, he was warm, funny and a true professional.” — Officials from Twentieth Century Fox Television, the studio that produced The Crazy Ones, in a statement. 

“I am stunned and just reeling from the news of Robin Williams’ death. He brought so much joy and heart to millions ... Just, wow.” — Actor Neil Patrick Harris on Twitter. 

“He embodied what it meant to be humble. He doused us in his love and positive glow and never asked for anything in return.” — Lucy Mercer, executive artistic director at the Throckmorton Theatre, a small nonprofit centre near his home in Marin County, California, where the actor was known to try out new material, in a statement. 

“My Heart’s broken. Robin was a beautiful, kind soul. Can’t bear that he’s gone. So incredibly sorry for his family.” — Actress Minnie Driver on Twitter. 

“Robin Williams made the world a little bit better.” — Actor Steve Carell on Twitter. 

“I can’t believe the news about Robin Williams. He gave so much to so many people. I’m heartbroken.” — Comedian Ellen DeGeneres on Twitter. 

“Robin Williams made the world laugh & think. I will remember & honor that. A great man, artist and friend. I will miss him beyond measure.” — Actor Kevin Spacey on Twitter. 

“Just shared a moment of silence on the set for Robin Williams, a man who brought so much laughter, joy and healing to so many.” — Writer and actress Lena Dunham on Twitter. 

“Robin was as sweet a man as he was funny. If you’re sad, please tell someone.” — Comedian Jimmy Kimmel on Twitter.