Besides his blazing talent and irrepressible cleverness, Robin Williams was a great humanitarian.
He created a scholarship at his alma mater, Juilliard; entertained US troops; and helped younger entertainers in times of need.
Here are six heartwarming moments.
Conan O’Brien
In last night’s show, O’Brien praised Williams to the skies and told his audience about a time in his career when he came to his aid.
“A bunch of years ago, like five years ago, I went through a bump in the road and I was feeling a little low. Out of the blue, Robin Williams buys me a bicycle. He was the first person to buy me a bicycle since my parents,” O’Brien said. “It was bright orange and bright green and had shamrocks on it.”
Jessica Chastain
The Juilliard graduate revealed that Williams’ generosity changed her life when she first went to the school.
She posted on her Twitter account: “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.”
Christopher Reeve
Reeve and Williams were roommates when they attended Juilliard and made a pact that they would help each other throughout their lives.
When Reeve was injured in a 1995 horseback-riding accident, Williams helped his family cover any medical expenses they could not pay for.
St. Jude’s Research Hospital
Williams was a tireless fundraiser for the Tennessee hospital founded for the treatment of children’s catastrophic diseases, making appeals for the institution’s Thanks and Giving campaign.
Detroit musician Aaron Dworkin
Williams gave Dworkin $10,000 to pay off his debt to Penn State so he could finish college.
They had met when Dworkin and his girlfriend were working for a homeless charity; they had reached out to Williams, who was born in Detroit, as a celebrity supporter.
Dworkin is now director of the Sphinx Organization, which promotes minorities in classical music.
Make-A-Wish Foundation
North Carolina resident Mark Cole told CNN how Williams paid his terminally ill daughter Jessica a visit in a private plane in 2004. She had weeks to live.
Jessica, who loved “Mrs. Doubtfire,” had requested a visit with Williams through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
He chartered a plane and spent the day with the 13-year-old, doing “Doubtfire” impersonations, playing cards and watching a Carolina Panthers game.