Zak, Zelda and Cody Williams release statements remembering their late father as a 'gentle, kind' man, while Ben says that he and Matt owe 'everything' to their 'Good Will Hunting' co-star.
- Aug 13, 2014
AceShowbiz - Robin Williams' children have released statements hours after the Marin County Sheriff's Department confirmed that the actor died of asphyxia due to hanging. The "Mrs. Doubtfire" star had three children, Zachary Pym "Zak" Williams from his first marriage with Valerie Velardi, and Zelda Rae Williams and Cody Alan Williams from his second marriage with Marsha Garces.
Zak said, "Yesterday, I lost my father and a best friend and the world got a little grayer. I will carry his heart with me every day. I would ask those that loved him to remember him by being as gentle, kind, and generous as he would be. Seek to bring joy to the world as he sought."
Cody added, "There are no words strong enough to describe the love and respect I have for my father. The world will never be the same without him. I will miss him and take him with me everywhere I go for the rest of my life, and will look forward, forever, to the moment when I get to see him again."
Zelda, who previously paid tribute to her father by posting a quote from Antoine De Saint-Exupery's "The Little Prince" on her Twitter, said that she felt "stripped bare." She remembered the last moment they spent together, "My last day with him was his birthday, and I will be forever grateful that my brothers and I got to spend that time alone with him, sharing gifts and laughter."
She continued, "He was always warm, even in his darkest moments. While I'll never, ever understand how he could be loved so deeply and not find it in his heart to stay, there's minor comfort in knowing our grief and loss, in some small way, is shared with millions. It doesn't help the pain, but at least it's a burden countless others now know we carry, and so many have offered to help lighten the load. Thank you for that."
"Dad was, is and always will be one of the kindest, most generous, gentlest souls I've ever known, and while there are few things I know for certain right now, one of them is that not just my world, but the entire world is forever a little darker, less colorful and less full of laughter in his absence. We'll just have to work twice as hard to fill it back up again."
Robin's second wife Marsha also released a statement of her own. "My heart is split wide open and scattered over the planet with all of you," she said. "Please remember the gentle, loving, generous - and yes, brilliant and funny - man that was Robin Williams. My arms are wrapped around our children as we attempt to grapple with celebrating the man we love, while dealing with this immeasurable loss."
Meanwhile, tributes keep pouring in from fellow actors and fans. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, who starred alongside the 63-year-old comedian in "Good Will Hunting", expressed their condolences on Tuesday, August 12.
"Robin brought so much joy into my life and I will carry that joy with me forever," Matt said in a statement. "He was such a beautiful man. I was lucky to know him and I will never, ever forget him. I truly hope the people in the media can find it within themselves to give his family some privacy during this horrible time."
Ben posted an equally moving message on his Facebook. "Heartbroken," he wrote. "Thanks chief - for your friendship and for what you gave the world. Robin had a ton of love in him. He personally did so much for so many people. He made Matt and my dreams come true. What do you owe a guy who does that? Everything. May you find peace my friend."
Disney additionally released a black-and-white picture of Genie, the "Aladdin" character that Robin voiced in the movie, with a statement from Robert Iger, the chairman and CEO of Walt Disney. "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," the statement read.
"An incredible actor and a comedic genius, Robin will always be remembered for bringing some of the world's favorite 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."
The Boston Public Garden bench which Robin and Matt made famous in "Good Will Hunting" as well as the "Mork and Mindy" house have been the sites of memorial for the late comedian.
Robin Williams was found unresponsive by his personal assistant in his home in Tiburon on Monday. He was pronounced dead after emergency personnel arrived, at 12:02 P.M.
Memorial at good will hunting bench. @7News @NESN @fox25news @GregHillWAAF pic.twitter.com/1jhw4fTnXz
— nicholas rabchenuk (@rabbitnutz) August 12, 2014
