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Robin Wiliams’ son, Zak, has paid tribute to his late father on what would have been the actor’s 73rd birthday.
In an emotional message addressed to his dad, who died by suicide in 2014, aged 63, Zak remembered the “hope and joy” that the Good Will Hunting actor brought to the world.
“Dad, on what would be your 73rd birthday, I remember you for all the hope and joy you brought to the world,” began the message, shared alongside a black and white photograph of Williams smiling in front of a collection of puppets.
Zak, who works as a mental health advocate, continued: “There’s not a week that goes by without someone sharing with me how you helped them through a dark time or a rough patch. I’m so grateful to be your son. Love you forever.”
In the months leading up to Williams’ death, he had been struggling with health issues after being misdiagnosed with Parkinson’s. Williams’ autopsy revealed he had Lewy body dementia, an incurable brain disease.
Williams starred in classic films such as Mrs Doubtfire, Good Morning Vietnam, and Disney’s Aladdin. He won an Oscar for his supporting role as a psychologist in 1997’s Good Will Hunting, and is also widely remembered for his legendary performances in Hook (1991), Dead Poet’s Society (1989), and The Birdcage (1996).
Robin’s Wish, a documentary chronicling Williams’ experiences, was released six years after his death in 2020, with his third wife, Susan Schneider Williams, saying the actor had struggled to find answers to his health issues after his misdiagnosis.
In the documentary, Susan explained: “My husband had unknowingly been battling a deadly disease. Nearly every region of his brain was under attack – he experienced himself disintegrating.”
In the decade since Williams’ death, the actor’s legacy and warmth have been remembered across Hollywood. Earlier this year, Lisa Jakub, one of the child stars of the 1993 family film Mrs Doubtfire, recalled the “amazing” gesture Williams made after she was expelled from school.
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Jakub, who was 15 when she acted in Mrs Doubtfire, was kicked out of her high school after accepting the role in the film and said she was “devastated” at the time.
The actor, now 45, told the Brotherly Love podcast that Williams, who played a divorced father who invents an alter-ego in an attempt to spend more time with his children in the film, wrote a letter her headteacher asking for the decision to be reversed.
“The amazing thing was Robin saw that I was upset – he asked me what was going on. He wrote a letter to my principal saying that he wanted them to rethink this decision and that I was just trying to pursue my education and career at the same time, and could they please support me in this,” recalled Jakub.
A copy of the letter was shared by Jakub. In it, Williams argued that “a student of her calibre and talent should be encouraged to go out in the world and learn through her work”.
“She should also be encouraged to return to the classroom when she’s done to share those experiences and motivate her classmates to soar to their own higher achievements,” the actor wrote.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
