After accepting the Robin Williams‘ Legacy of Laughter Award from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Ryan Reynolds shared a touching tribute for the actor, who was suffering silently while making the world laugh.
The beloved comedian, who died by suicide aged 63 in 2014, was battling severe depression and never publicly acknowledged his pain. Now his legacy lives through his children, who bestow the honor of the award to actors known for significant contributions to society.
“I miss Robin Williams,” the Deadpool star said in a heartwarming Instagram post, adding that William’s kids, “turned his legacy into a living, breathing love-letter for good.”
Keep reading to learn more about what Reynolds said about the late actor!
On August 11, 2014, the world was shaken when news broke that Robin Williams, known as one of the world’s greatest comedians, was dead.
Months later, autopsy results showed that the Mork & Mindy actor died by suicide, from asphyxia due to hanging. He also suffered from severe Lewy body dementia (LBD), a progressive brain disease often mistaken for Alzheimer’s.
He left behind his wife, Susan Schneider, whom he married in 2011, and four children, Zak (born in 1983 to first wife Valerie Velardi), Zelda, born in 1989 to second wife Marsha Garces, and Cody, the youngest who was born in 1991.
His children meant the world to him. In 2006, the star of Mrs. Doubtfire said, “If I had a choice to erase from my life something, I would leave all the memories of my children…even the memories when they misbehave because it is still extraordinary.”
Now, Zelda, Cody and Zak present the Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter Award every year through Bring Change to Mind, a non-profit founded by Glenn Close, which aims to end the stigma surrounding mental illness.
In October 2023, Ryan Reynolds joined previous recipients of the award, which includes Billy Crystal, Whoopie Goldberg, Melissa McCarthy, and father son duo, Dan and Eugene Levy.
At the event, the Red Notice star spoke with People on the importance of parenting and opening conversations on mental health. “I think it’s more about talking to them about everything,” he said. “It’s genuine when I say I take a huge interest in their days and how things are going.”
The Adam Project star also shared how he and his wife Blake Lively emphasize “self-awareness” with their four kids, including daughters James, 8, Inez, 7, and Betty, 4. Married since 2012, the couple welcomed their youngest child in February 2023.
“For me, the best time of my day is walking them to school and walking them back,” Reynolds said. “I think as parents, we are so much better equipped to handle the rigors of childhood through our kids now than when I was a kid. It’s just totally different now. People are much more self-aware. And that’s the thing we sort of hang our hat on the most is self-awareness with our kids. Not be happy, not be anything, just be self-aware and welcome everything in.”
Shortly after the gala, the star of Free Guy, 46, shared a heartfelt Instagram post about Williams, who voiced the hilarious Genie in Disney’s 1992 animated film Aladdin.
Including photos of Zak, 40, Zelda, 34, previous honoree Goldberg, along with the gala founder Close, Reynolds writes, “I miss Robin Williams. Pretty sure everyone does. His kids have turned his legacy into a living, breathing love-letter for good. It was a crazy honour to receive the Robin Williams Legacy Award last week at the annual Bring Change to Mind gala in NYC.”
The post continues, “The incomparable @glennclose started @bringchangetomind, whose mission is to end stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness. Glenn literally saves lives by making space for these conversations. I love this woman. Give @bringchangetomind a follow for more info… Also, being roasted all night by some of the funniest people on earth was something I’ll never forget… without the help of a hypnotist.”
It’s hard to believe it’s been almost 10 years since Robin Williams died. Though it is still very sad, we think it’s beautiful that his children are helping his legacy live through others. And we can’t think of a better recipient for the award than Ryan Reynolds, who we adore!
If you know someone who’s struggling with their own mental health, you can get help for them, and yourself, through a local hotline.
Please share this story and remind everyone the importance of conversation!
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