As a gamer who grew up in the 90s and early 2000s, Robin Williams was more than just a comedian – he was a beacon of joy and kindness that lit up my childhood. The stories about him reaching out to his friends during difficult times, like the one Conan O’Brien shared on his podcast, only serve to highlight his generosity and thoughtfulness. It’s heartwarming to know that even in the midst of his own struggles, Williams took time to check in on others and lift their spirits.
Robin Williams left behind a treasure trove of touching tales, including instances where he went to great lengths to connect with those close to him. For example, Sally Field shared that Williams was there for her following the passing of her father. Additionally, Nathan Lane spoke about the Oprah interview they did together, during which Williams shielded Lane from disclosing his sexuality before he felt ready. Now, Conan O’Brien is contributing more heartfelt stories about the late comedian (and tugging at my heartstrings) by recounting how Williams reached out to him after losing ‘The Tonight Show‘ in 2010.
The veteran talk show host interviewed Eric Idle on his podcast, Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend, and the two comedians reflected on their friendships with Robin Williams. O’Brien shared a wholesome story about how the Oscar winner cheered him up after being pushed out of The Tonight Show after a short hosting stint. Apparently, he called O’Brien up, to check in on how he was doing, and then told him he had a bike waiting for him at a premiere bike shop. O’Brien recalled just what Williams said to him:
He told me that he had them paint it in all these crazy Irish colors. I went down there and it’s the ugliest. I mean it was just, you know greens and shamrocks and everything. And I couldn’t believe [it]. He was like ‘Oh you’re going to like that bike chief. Don’t worry about it.’
This act was reminiscent of Robin Williams’ unique approach; he performed an exceptionally kind and considerate action to demonstrate his concern for the talk show host, Conan. However, in classic fashion, he infused humor into the deed by making the bike appear comical, a playful wink at O’Brien’s Irish heritage. Truly, I can’t imagine a more fitting way for a comedian to lift another comedian’s spirits.
Conan O’Brien took over as host of The Tonight Show in 2009 when Jay Leno was supposed to retire. However, instead of retiring, Leno got a prime-time talk show before The Tonight Show, which negatively impacted its ratings. This made it difficult for O’Brien and his team to attract viewers, leading to him being eventually let go from the show.
The controversy surrounding “The Tonight Show” received extensive media attention, and likely intensified the competitive atmosphere in late-night television at that time. This period was particularly challenging and complex for O’Brien, who chose to remain silent about it for a while. However, having the support of fellow comedians, particularly someone as renowned as Robin Williams, must have felt incredibly meaningful to him. Regarding this act of kindness, O’Brien expressed:
It left me utterly astonished to learn that he had been considering me. In everyday terms, it’s like this: When you consider someone, you might think about their situation and say something like, “That’s too bad what happened to him.” But then you move on with your day, perhaps getting a sandwich. However, in this case, it was me he was thinking about.
Later on, Eric Idle remarked that the action was “quintessentially Robin,” since the Good Will Hunting actor frequently went the extra mile to let his friends know he was thinking of them. This anecdote, in particular, provides a vivid portrait of Williams’ character and stirs up feelings of longing for him even more. Though it has been 15 years since this event took place and over 10 years since Williams passed away at the age of 63, his memory continues to thrive through the impact he made on the world and the compassion he showed towards others. While his comedy serves as a testament to his legacy in its own right, stories about his authentic character hold just as much significance.
For admirers of Robin Williams, you can recall his legacy by exploring our special feature highlighting his finest films. Additionally, immerse yourself in heartfelt anecdotes by tuning into the widely-appreciated podcast “Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend“. This popular series is accessible on both Spotify and Apple Music streaming platforms.
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2024-11-18 16:37