“You don’t know about real loss beacuse it only occurs when you’ve loved something more than you love yourself. I doubt you’ve ever dared to love anybody that much.”
– Sean Maguire, “Good Will Hunting”
For some, it came in the form of Mrs. Doubtfire, and others it was as a vivacious, animated Genie. For me, it was the sprightly teacher who stood on desk tops and begged of his students, “The powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?”
Whatever the form, the magic that was Robin Williams worked its way into our hearts and burned so deeply, that his legacy continues on not only just in our memory of him, but in the very work — comedic and dramatic — that in some way or another, changed us forever.
The actor, who would have been 64, died one year ago on August 11, 2014. He is succeeded by his wife and three children.
And on the one-year anniversary of his passing, the memory of Robin Williams is still profoundly felt by his many friends, colleagues and movie lovers alike who are not so quick to forget the man that gave us so many smiles and so many tears.
A recent co-star, Sarah Michelle Geller, who played Williams’ daughter on the CBS sitcom “The Crazy Ones,” shared a touching tribute to her friend by posting a picture on Instagram with the memorable quote from “Good Will Hunting” that reads: “Sorry guys, I went to see about a girl.”
As if a life has been preserved in the pixels of our television screens, mourners on this day take to his iconic movies and appearances to celebrate the beautiful life lost — and to remind us how a small, hairy, hyperactive man came to be one of the most influential spirits Hollywood has come to meet.
Below are 5 of our favorite Robin Williams tributes. Enjoy.
1. The one that says it all:
2. When Jimmy Fallon gets on his desk:
3. The one where he’s honored at the Emmy’s:
4. Entertainment Weekly’s touching video:
5. And this simply perfect tweet:
In the words of Robin himself,
“You’re only given a little spark of madness. You must not lose it.”