Emmys 2014 Day Honors Robin Williams In Memoriam: The Emmys 2014 day was not just about celebrating 'Breaking Bad' or its actors, but that was part of it. A more moving session came from Robin Williams' long time friend and co-actor Billy Crystal, who said he was humbled to honor the legendary actor in memoriam.
A tribute for all of the stars who left the Hollywood stage this year was presented with background music from Sarah Bareilles' Smile: Paul Walker, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ann B. Davis, James Avery, Shirley Temple, Ruby Dee, Mickey Rooney, Marcia Wallace,Elaine Stritch, Lauren Bacall, James Garner, Russell Johnson, and Maya Angelou. (Source: Hollywoodtake.com).
Then began Billy Crystal's tribute when the Bereilles song was finished: A heartbreaking tribute to a long time friend and comic genius, Crystal said jokingly, "If I could put a saddle on him and ride for 8 mins. I'd say I was ok,' referring to the quick punchlines and the diversity of topics Robin was capable of maneuvering through, making people roll with laughter. Robin Williams was not just an average comedian; his jokes had depth and a great deal of intellect that mesmerized audiences.
“He made us laugh hard, every time you saw him on television, movies, nightclubs, arenas, hospitals, homeless shelters, for our troops overseas and even in a dying girl’s living room for her last wish,” Crystal said of Williams who could play any role with his wit, charm, and innocence. Crystal continued to say during the Emmy tribute, “… The brilliance was astounding. The relentless energy was kind of thrilling.' An important component of the Williams Emmy 2014 day tribute reflected his versatility as an actor and not just someone who could make people laugh.
Crystal's concluding comments about Robin Williams seemed to say it all: “It’s very hard to talk about him in the past because he was so present in all of our lives.” He added in an online report, “for almost 40 years, he was the brightest star in the comedy galaxy. But while some of the brightest of celestial bodies are actually extinct now, their energy long since cooled, but miraculously, because they float in the heavens so far away from us now, their beautiful light will continue to shine on us forever. And the glow will be so bright, it will warm your heart, it will make your eyes glisten, and you’ll think to yourselves, Robin Williams, what a concept.”
Although Crystal's lengthy Emmy 2014 day tribute honoring Robin Williams in memoriam was the first public note about his friend, Crystal tweeted this on hearing about Robin's death from asphyxiation. A day earlier, MTV video awards paid tribute to Robin Williams in a short run through of some of the actor's highlighted clips.
Billy Crystal ✔ @BillyCrystalFollow
No words.
11:10 AM - 12 Aug 20146,198 RETWEETS 9,992 FAVORITES
Preliminary reports indicate Robin Williams died of suicide. Representatives of Willimas said the legendary actor had been suffering from depression. Some reports say that he had no appetite for three days prior to his death and was surrounded by dark shades while resting in his room. One story pointed to a failed gig that would keep Williams from a steady paycheck. There were also rumors about Williams having financial troubles. However, the actor's reps have disregarded those reports saying that Williams was in good shape financially.
Some of these rumors stem from an interview with Parade magazine last year when Williams jokingly said divorce is expensive alluding to the payout he had to settle for his two earlier wives. Robin claimed, 'I used to think it was all your money until I found out it was alimony.' There is some indication that Williams was having family troubles with his current wife, who said he had recently diagnosed with 'Parkinson's disease' and had difficulty coming to terms with it.
Despite the rumors, Williams has left a huge estate for his three children and holds two California estates, which is his most valuable assets, according to Forbes.
