Robin Williams' death this week has led to an outpouring of grief from fans, Hollywood friends and the actor's beloved family. As the tributes continue to stream in personal stories from some of Robin's youngest co-stars have emerged, describing the comic genius' generous spirit.
Lisa Jakub starred with Robin in the smash hit 1993 movie Mrs Doubtfire. Then aged 14, Lisa played Robin and Sally Field's oldest daughter Lydia, with the troubled teen character sharing an extra close bond with Robin's Scottish nanny. Now a writer, Lisa has penned a heartfelt tribute to her on-screen dad for the Huffington Post, writing that he "was an incredibly kind human being." Lisa recalls one moment that has stayed with her throughout her life, when Robin heard the teenager's high school had kicked her out for missing too much school during the shoot for Mrs Doubtfire.
Robin Williams died this week at the age of 63 (FameFlynet)
"It's devastating, at 14, to have your formal education terminated," writes Lisa. "I felt like a freak and a reject. When I arrived at work the next day, Robin noticed that I was upset and asked me what was wrong. I explained what had happened, and the next day, he handed me a letter that he wrote to my school. He explained that I was just trying to continue my education while pursuing my career. He wrote embarrassingly kind things about my character and my work, and requested that they reconsider and allow me to return to my classes."
"When I told him I still didn't think they would take me back, he said, "It's kinda like Amnesty International. That school just needs to know that people know the truth." The school framed the letter. They hung it in the principal's office. But they didn't invite me to return to school. But here's what matters from that story. Robin stood up for me. He was in my corner. I was only 14, but I had already seen that I was in an industry that was full of back-stabbing. And it was entirely clear that Robin had my back."
You can read Lisa's full tribute to Robin here.
Lisa Jakub, who starred with Robin in Mrs Doubtfire, remembers the star's kindness
Robin's Hook co-star Dante Basco is another young colleague of the late actor to pay tribute. Dante played Rufio, the new leader of the Lost Boys once Robin's Peter Pan had left Neverland.
Writing on his Tumblr page on Monday, Dante remembers that he first became aware of Robin through his earlier movie Dead Poets Society, which fast became one of his favourite films, and instilled in him a love of poetry. It was through that movie and on-set talks with Robin during filming for Hook, that helped lead to Dante becoming a poet himself in later life.
"I was fortunate to spend private times, many mornings in the makeup chair, (which with my tri-hawk hair took hours), just talking about poetry… And soft spoken and introspectively we would discuss Walt Whitman and Charles Bukowski," he remembers.
Robin's Hook co-star Dante Basco reveals that the actor inspired his love of poetry
"With "Hook" and so many other films, I, like millions of others became a fan and was always delightfully surprised by the performances he managed to produce, but with his passing, I can't help to feel, along with my generation… I can't help feeling like it's the death of my childhood. I guess we can't stay in Neverland forever, we must all grown up. But I just want to bid a sorrowful farewell to one of the greatest I've been able to work with and be around and I'll always remember my time with you as some of the greatest moments in my life… and just like the rest of the world, I'll remember you with joy and laughter."
In a tribute to both Dead Poets Society and their film Hook, Dante signs off his post with: "O' Captain! My Captain! See you in Neverland…"
Even away from the limelight of his movies, Robin was dedicated to helping young actors follow their dreams. Oscar nominated actress Jessica Chastain has revealed that the star
helped pay for her scholarship at The Juilliard School of performing arts, the same school Robin himself attended.
Jessica Chastain attended her dream school thanks to Robin (FameFlynet)
Writing on her Facebook page as the news of Robin's passing broke, Jessica declared: "Robin Williams changed my life. He was a great actor and a generous person. Through a scholarship, he made it possible for me to graduate college. His generous spirit will forever inspire me to support others as he supported me. He will forever be missed."
The talented actress graduated from Juilliard in 2003 with a BFA in drama, and went on to receive Oscar nominations for her roles in The Help and Zero Dark Thirty.
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