The above is Robin signing autographs for a charity called Autograph Pros to be sold in order to generate money to donate to charities. Amazing what a pen can do in the right hands.
At this point it’s difficult to overstate just how much of a treasure Robin Williams was to so many people. At 63 he’d made it through addiction and had seemingly been able to get a handle on his bipolar disorder, an accomplishment as impressive as any performance he’d given. To many, including myself, he seemed like the grand old man of comedy, having touched every movie genre in existence and excelling every time. Comedy? Easy. Drama. Yup. Children’s fantasy? Absolutely. Thrillers. Definitely. He’d become a favorite of an entire generation of young people and in return he’d used that status to cheer sick children at St. Jude’s Hospital where the kids suffered from the most cruel of diseases at a time when they should have been running and shouting out in the sunshine. And he did other charitable work through Comic Relief, Livestrong, and other organizations. He gave back and this from a guy who’d not only made a lot of money but had actually been born to a wealthy family.
Below is an extensive but in no way exhaustive collection of tweets from some of his peers and celebrity admirers. I don’t think I can recall such a uniform outpouring over one person in the past. Well done, Robin, your life made an impression on more people than you could possibly know.
https://twitter.com/SteveMartinToGo/status/498971366050107392
His heart was as big as his genius. So sad. Rest in Peace Robin Williams.
— bob saget (@bobsaget) August 11, 2014
"But doctor, I AM Pagliacci."
That's the only way this makes sense. Can't stand thinking of him being that sad. #RIPRobinWilliams
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) August 11, 2014
Absolutely stunned to hear the news about Robin Williams. It's unimaginable to me that we've lost such a genuinely funny and sweet man.
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) August 12, 2014
Ah Robin, I'm so sorry the earth couldn't stay worthy of you. Hope happiness awaits you.
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) August 11, 2014
When I worked at the factory I dreamed I worked with Robin Williams and he was kind and hilarious but real life Robin was even better. #RIP
— Tom Arnold (@TomArnold) August 11, 2014
RIP sweetie …. you made the world laugh for decades… Rest a while xxxooo
— Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) August 12, 2014
U touched our lives
U touched our hearts
U gave us laughter n joy
U'r a beautiful soul
U will be missed
Our love to the family
RIP Robin W.— Forest Whitaker (@ForestWhitaker) August 12, 2014
He taught me to care about everyone on a show. From top to bottom he took time for all. A gr8 talent. Big loss :( pic.twitter.com/w1M6j5jHxu
— Fran Drescher (@frandrescher) August 12, 2014
Rest in Peace Robin Williams. I had the honor and joy of working with him. I miss him already…
— David Alan Grier (@davidalangrier) August 11, 2014
I'm stunned! pic.twitter.com/X2RbDRyFxt
— Bill Cosby (@BillCosby) August 12, 2014
i am so sad right now
— Wil Wheaton (@wilw) August 12, 2014
Robin Williams made the world laugh & think. I will remember & honor that. A great man, artist and friend. I will miss him beyond measure.
— Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) August 12, 2014
I am stunned and just reeling from the news of Robin Williams' death. He brought so much joy and heart to millions… Just, wow.
— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) August 12, 2014
RIP mr Williams – beyond great talent -such a kind and lovely person
— John Cusack (@johncusack) August 11, 2014
Such a terrible loss. Robin Williams was a great talent and a lovely, kind man.
— Julianne Moore (@_juliannemoore) August 12, 2014
What a sad day. Shocking loss of Robin Williams. A brilliant talent and a gentle man. May his memory LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) August 12, 2014
RIP to my dear brother and friend Robin Williams. The world will miss the decades of laughter that you gave all of us.
— Quincy Jones (@QuincyDJones) August 11, 2014
No! Robin Williams you were so loved.
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) August 11, 2014
Just shared a moment of silence on the set for Robin Williams, a man who brought so much laughter, joy and healing to so many.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) August 12, 2014
Robin Williams has died and I am very sad. From every comedian here at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, we salute him & we say goodbye
— Eddie Izzard (@eddieizzard) August 11, 2014