Robin Williams & Me
Patch Adams was my first featured film I was cast in to play Peter Coyote’s wife, and to think I worked in the same room with one of–if not the funniest–actors in Hollywood, Robin Williams.
He was not only generous with his talent, but with his time.
I remember walking with a few other actors through the town of Chapel Hill in N. Carolina where we were filming–and there was Robin! He invited us for coffee. We all sat down in a little cafe and got to know one another outside of acting…it was real and genuine and, yes, there was a lot of laughter! He had a presence that made a newbie like me, feel like an equal, like we were all one. This is very rare in tinseltown.
I remember Robin graciously entertaining the children from Make-A-Wish Foundation who were part of the film, on and off camera. To witness their dreams come true will forever be etched in my heart.
One of my fondest memories was on the baseball field where this picture was taken. After we wrapped, Robin, along with my favorite director, Tom Shadyac, and the entire cast and crew gathered into teams to play one of the most fun and hilarious games of American softball!
I will treasure these moments.
Robin Williams confirms what I have always known to be true; money and fame only make you more of who you already are.
This Academy-awarded actor was a man of integrity, passion, and authenticity.
I learned a lot from a man that had a gift that kept on giving; a smile, a laugh, a simple word of encouragement, or a big red spongy nose can change the world–even if it’s only for a moment.
I don’t know exactly when I started to do this, but I can’t help but think of Mr. Williams. Before I start my day, I pray that I can make someone else’s day a little bit brighter, by doing a simple random act of kindness, whether that is simply saying hi to a stranger, smiling at a passerby, complimenting the person in front of me at the market, adding coins to an expired meter, sending a card for no other reason than I’m thinking of you or placing flowers on a neighbor’s doorstep. It takes so little to make a big difference in someone else’s life.
I can’t help but wonder now where I put my big, red spongy nose that I wore during the final scene of Patch Adams? When I find it, I am going to put on my clown nose in honor of Robin and walk into my local Starbucks…I have a feeling he would be smiling from the otherside.
May peace be your friend. You will be missed…by millions.
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