Robert De Niro and Robin Williams shared a beautiful bond of friendship before Williams’ unexpected demise in 2014. The death of the actor devasted global fans. Williams was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia (LBD)— a progressive form of dementia that pushed the legendary actor to take his life at the age of 63.
Niro and Williams starred in Penny Marshall’s acclaimed 1990 drama, Awakenings, and Niro share great memories from the set. Williams, who was a comedian before being a full-time actor, has always kept the sets of the movies he worked in sparking, and behind-the-scenes footage has revealed how he made Niro laugh with his hilarious wit.
Robin Williams Made Robert De Niro Laugh in a BTS Footage
Robin Williams did the same as he always does in the set of Awakenings, this time making Robert De Niro laugh uncontrollably. A behind-the-scenes footage of the movie, perhaps before or after filming a scene, revealed Niro laughing at Williams’ joke.
The duo has shared a bond of friendship, and Niro has mourned Willams’ death on several occasions. To complement the memories from the set, Niro once recalled an incident from the set while filming a scene in the movie. In an interview (retrieved via Far Out Magazine), the 80-year-old said that the incident broke his nose.
In the making of that movie I broke his nose by accident, we had this struggle when I was supposed to be restraining him when he was having a seizure and my elbow went ‘bam’
The actor further revealed that there was even a sound of his bone breaking, which resembled a snapping chicken bone. Niro did not snap out after the incident and remained calm. Now, it flashes back as nostalgia in the actor.
Fans Are Missing Robin Williams With Heavy Hearts
It has been 10 years since the death of Williams, and many fans still find it hard to recall his absence. As the behind-the-scenes footage of Niro and Willaims surfaced online, fans almost burst into tears, remembering the legendary comedian and actor.
I will forever miss this man. There will never be another one like him.
— TwistedSyn87 (@TwistedSyn87) May 26, 2024
ROBIN WILLIAMS would have been 72 years old today. Always a great performer, here he is having some laughs at the expense of Sorsese and De Niro…
— wayBackinTimes (@waybackintimes) May 26, 2024
During the filming of "Awakenings," Robin Williams and Robert De Niro developed a close friendship that extended beyond their roles in the movie. One particularly memorable moment occurred when De Niro, known for his intense method acting approach, struggled to break character… pic.twitter.com/HapsYWqXe9
— Past Revealed (@PastRevealed) May 26, 2024
RIP Robin, what a legend.
— 🇺🇸 Land Where My Fathers Died 🇺🇸 (@MenWhoMadeUSA) May 26, 2024
Robin could make everybody laugh.
No matter how detached or disheartened you thought you've become he was there to brighten your day— Derek Silk (@DerekSilk89) May 26, 2024
Miss him.
— Andy Dufresne (@Jabbah2000) May 27, 2024
It was quite similar to Niro as well, the actor even dedicated his Friars Club’s Entertainment Icon Award to Williams. “If you know me, you know how much I like to laugh. And no one made me laugh like Robin,” Niro said of his co-star at the event (via Irish Independent).
Of course, it was more than the jokes. He had so much humanity. He was a wonderful actor, sure, but those feelings were real. No one could fake that kind of love and compassion. Robin, my dear friend, I dedicate this award to you.
Williams’ death was heartbreaking to many fans and celebrities primarily for the actor’s legacy and his down-to-earth nature. The actor made his cinematic debut in Robert Altman’s Popeye playing the title character in 1980 and later he left a mark in Hollywood with several unforgettable roles including John Keating in Dead Poets Society and Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting.
Stream Awakenings on Fubo TV.
