Robin Williams’ children vow to honour their father’s legacy and give to those in need

Content Warning: this article discusses mental health and suicide, which may be triggering for some readers.

Though the world is much poorer for his passing, Robin Williams still warms hearts and tickles our funny bones with his vast back catalogue of movies, stand up and television appearances.

His greatest gift, however, was his compassion for others and now his children have vowed to honour their father’s philanthropic legacy by continuing the work the beloved comedian did with numerous charities.

The Good Morning Vietnam star, who passed away in 2014 always made the effort to help whoever he could with whatever they needed, according to his son Zak.

ZaK, who is a mental health activist, was chatting to People magazine at the 12th Annual Bring Change to Mind Revels & Revelations gala, when he revealed how his father exposed him to another side of life away from the glitz of Hollywood.

“When I was a little kid and we’d be walking in San Francisco where I grew up, he would stop, talk to someone on the street, a homeless person, say, ‘Hey boss, what can I do for you?'” he told the publication.

“And we’d see him get meals, food, money.

“He cared deeply about people in need, and I think for me, he opened my eyes to really what kindness was all about.”

It is a lesson that all Williams children took to heart. Zak 41, and his siblings Zelda, 35, and Cody, 33, have now made it their mission to continue their father’s legacy through his work with various charities over the course of his life.

“It was deeply important to him to help improve the human condition, and that extends beyond helping people laugh and learn about themselves,” Zak said.

“It also related to how he could actually support organisations materially by helping raise funds and awareness for organisations like the Challenged Athletes Foundation, the Christopher Dana Reeve Foundation and St Jude’s, among many others.

“We see it as a natural extension of what he would want, which is helping bring healing and helping develop resilience for folks, especially young people. He loved kids.

“And as a family, we feel it’s a natural way to honour his legacy.”

Williams took his own life at the age of 63 in August 2014.

Since then Zak has spoken numerous times about losing his father and how he copes with his loss. In 2021 Zak spoke to Ben Fordham on 2GB Breakfast where he described his late father as a” fantastic” dad.

Though Zac admitted he missed his father, he still felt the comedian’s presence throughout his life.

“It’s important for me to really carry on the legacy. I really believe that his spirit is with us,” he said.

If you or anyone you know needs help: Lifeline — 13 11 14; MensLine Australia — 1300 789 978; BeyondBlue — 1300 224 636; Suicide Call Back Service — 1300 659 467; Headspace — 1800 650 890; Kids Helpline — 1800 551 800.

– with BANG.