Robin Williams brought "so much joy" to the set of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.
The late comedian and actor surprised fans when he took a sinister turn as Merritt Rook - a man impersonating a police officer who asked people to perform criminal acts - in the long running procedural, and Mariska Hargitay has recalled the impact he had on set.
She told Variety: “The most memorable Law and Order cameo for me was Robin Williams. We had so much fun, and there was so much joy. He was such a light.”
Williams starred in Authority, the show's 200th episode during its ninth season back in 2008.
Mariska, who has played detective Olivia Benson on the NBC crime drama since 1999, previously revealed she felt "so lucky to get to witness" Williams' performances up close.
She told Vanity Fair: "It was magnificent. Different every time, funny every time, and truthful and believable."
She described his work as "electric", and explained how he made everyone feel "so special".
She added: "There was no line between acting and who he was as a person. The most fun person and the most generous, and it was pure joy."
Mariska recalled how Williams, who took his own life aged 63 in 2014, even made time for her son August during his time on the show.
She said: "I remember my son was, I think 2 or 3, and Robin grabbed him and picked him up. And he was so kind and doing voices for him.
"And you’re just in this moment going, ‘I’m pinching myself that I get to live in the same time with somebody so magnetic and so magic and so generous that…we got to breathe the same oxygen.' ”
Meanwhile, the Mrs Doubtfire star's children - Zak, 43, Zelda, 37, and Cody Williams, 34 - have revealed this week they are reviving his Instagram account to preserve his legacy.
In their original joint statement on his revived account, they wrote: "As we recognize what would be our Dad's 75th year, we're grateful to see new generations discovering his work while longtime fans continue to celebrate the joy he brought into their lives.
"As technology evolves, we want this to be a safe, trusted place where the stories, photos, videos, and memories shared reflect his legacy with authenticity, warmth, and care.
"This is our way of sharing his unique talent and humor with the world, including the moments that made us and so many of you laugh, as we remember our Dad’s extraordinary life and work. He continues to inspire us and delight people all over the world.
Zak, Zelda, and Cody Williams (sic)"
