Robin Williams’ son on his father’s private life, ’empathy’ for others
Zak Williams, speaking with USA TODAY’s Taylor Wilson, remembers his father Robin on the 10-year anniversary of the actor’s death.
Birthdays have become a bittersweet occasion for Zak Williams.
The mental health advocate and entrepreneur, son of actor-comedian Robin Williams, paid tribute to the iconic performer on social media in honor of his birthday on Monday, July 21. Robin, who died in August 2014Â at the age of 63, would have turned 74.
“Every year, this season arrives with gravity,” Williams, 42, wrote on Instagram alongside a throwback photo of Robin. “In just 60 days, we pass through Father’s Day, his birthday, and the anniversary of his death. It’s a tender and complicated stretch of time. One that asks a lot of the heart.”
He added: “For me, grief isn’t linear. It loops and echoes. It softens, then crescendos. But alongside it lives a legacy, the kind built not from fame or recognition, but from generosity and relentless kindness.”
Robin Williams died by suicide following a battle with Lewy body dementia. The Oscar-winning actor also struggled with substance abuse for decades. His 2006 relapse, which he tried unsuccessfully to hide from his wife Marsha Garces, led to the unraveling of his second marriage. He later took up a stint at the Hazelden Foundation center, a rehab facility in Oregon.
“My father lived to make people feel seen,” Williams continued. “He gave permission to feel deeply and to laugh through the pain. In his absence, that mission continues. So today, I hold close the idea that the best way to honor those we love is to live the values they stood for. To lead with service and compassion. To lift others when they’re down. And to find paths of light, even in the dark corners.”
He concluded: “Happy birthday, Dad. Love you forever.”
Zak Williams opens up about childhood with dad Robin Williams
In an August 2024 interview for USA TODAY’s “The Excerpt” podcast, Williams reflected on his father’s legacy in the entertainment industry, as well as his childhood memories with the eccentric actor-comedian.
“He was very funny. But he also was very introspective,” said Williams of Robin’s off-screen demeanor. “He loved playing video games and collecting toys and comic books. I mean, he was a big kid at heart.
“And the memories I’m most fond of, in terms of our private family life, relate to my siblings and spending time with him basically being a big kid.”
Williams, who appeared on the podcast ahead of the 10th anniversary of Robin’s death, said he preserves his father’s memory by focusing on his positive contributions as a public figure.
“I think of my father fondly all year, but around this time of year, I think about his good works, his philanthropic focus,” Williams said. “I tend to spend time with my family. … It comes down to remembering him fondly for his incredible heart and love for humanity.”
If you or someone you know needs mental health resources and support, please call, text or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit 988lifeline.org for 24/7 access to free and confidential services.
If you or someone you know needs help battling a substance abuse addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Â
Contributing: Taylor Wilson and Marco della Cava, USA TODAY
