Remembering Robin Williams
Like most people, young actresses were shocked and saddened when Robin Williams, 63, took his own life in his California home on August 11. '90s starlet Mara Wilson, who played his daughter in 1993's Mrs. Doubtfire, is typically one of the more articulate stars on Twitter, but she was so devastated by Williams's death that she could barely type. She tweeted only: "Very sad, very upset, very glad I did not have to hear about this though Twitter. Probably going to be taking some time off it for a while." A few days later, Mara was able to make a longer post on her blog, Mara Wilson Writes Stuff.
Mara wrote: "Everybody grieves in their own way. When I heard about Robin’s death, I was shocked, confused, angry, regretful, and above all, sad. All I wanted was to talk to my family and friends and cry. A few news outlets asked if I would be willing to talk about him on the air, and while I usually like interviews, I knew I wasn't in a good place to do that. I still (a whole three days later) don't want to do any. It's too soon, and I need my own time to process it all. While Robin and I had not talked in a few years, there is no question he had a great impact on my life. He was as warm and talented as everyone says, and a joy to be around. It's as if my favorite teacher died."
Williams's older daughter in Mrs. Doubtfire was played by Lisa Jakub, and like her onetime screen-sister, Lisa is also something of an actress-turned-writer now. Lisa wrote a similarly heartfelt tribute to Williams on her own blog, recalling that after she was expelled from high school for missing five months of class to shoot Doubtfire, Williams personally wrote to her principal, asking him to enroll her - an act of kindness that "changed my life."
Lisa wrote: "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. Even though I had not spoken with Robin in a very long time, I always assumed there would be some future opportunity to tell him that his letter changed my life. It taught me that you stand up for the things that matter. And even if your attempts fail, you tried. You told the truth. You took care of your friends. You fought back."
Robins Williams with his movie kids, Mara, Lisa, and Matt Lawrence, in Mrs. Doubtfire
But grief over Williams's death was certainly not limited to his costars. Even the death of Shirley Temple earlier this year didn't spark such an outpouring of sorrow on Twitter. Williams was truly one-of-a-kind. From oldest to youngest, here's a roundup of the former and current young actresses who tweeted about his passing:
I hope you enjoy heaven, you have earned it. My heart with so many others is broken for Robin and his family. RIP Robin Williams
- Patty Duke (@pattyduke_id) August 11, 2014
Robin Williams! Your work! Your heart! Your brain! So much left for you to do. So much more to love you for! Heartbroken. Rest in peace.
- Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) August 11, 2014
Melissa Joan Hart: "Beyond upset about one of my idols passing away tragically!! RIP Robin Williams."
Sarah Michelle Gellar: "My life is a better place because I knew Robin Williams. To my children he was Uncle Robin, to everyone he worked with, he was the best boss anyone had ever known, and to me he was not just an inspiration but he was the father I had always dreamed of having."
pic.twitter.com/4Pyx4Kfuxe
- Sarah Michelle (@RealSMG) August 12, 2014
Sarah with Williams (who played her father) in their sitcom The Crazy Ones. The show was called earlier this year, after only one season.
Honored to have worked w such a bright light and brilliant man. Love and prayers to his family and friends. #RIPRobinWilliams
- Mandy Moore (@TheMandyMoore) August 11, 2014
Mr. Williams visited me the first day of filming The Parent Trap. I will never forget his kindness. What an enormous loss. My condolences.
- Lindsay Lohan (@lindsaylohan) August 11, 2014
I am so heartbroken. Robin Williams was a light in my childhood. Rest in peace. 7 years old w/a single mom the first time I saw #MrsDoubtfire. Made me feel better about being from an unconventional family. Love is love.
- Emmy Rossum (@emmyrossum) August 11, 2014
My heart hurts for the Williams family. So so sad :( we love you robin! We love you mrs doubtfire!!
- Hilary Duff (@HilaryDuff) August 11, 2014
Absolutely stunned and heartbroken.
I dont know what to say. He was a huge part of my childhood.
#RIPRobinWillams
- Evan Rachel Wood (@evanrachelwood) August 11, 2014
The world is a lot less funny today. Prayers with Robins loved ones. RIP.
- Lucy Hale (@lucyhale) August 11, 2014
I can't handle this today. I will forever remember this moment as losing my childhood. Robin Williams was my hero and idol growing up. RIP.
- Sarah Hyland (@Sarah_Hyland) August 11, 2014
I can't take the Robin Williams news. I've never cried over someone I've never met but I can't stop 😿😿😿😿
- Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) August 11, 2014
Looking back at how much Robin Williams was a part of my childhood.. My heart is so sad.. 💔 my prayers are with his friends and family..
- Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) August 12, 2014
Saddened by loss of Robin Williams; praying for his loved ones.
Legacies of lightness are sometimes left by people with the heaviest hearts.
- Debby Ryan (@DebbyRyan) August 11, 2014
Robin Williams, we'll always miss you, you brought so much happiness to my childhood, thank you for that. Rest In Peace
- Chloë Grace Moretz (@ChloeGMoretz) August 12, 2014
G Hannelius: "I'm so shocked and saddened. Robin Williams was such a talent a huge inspiration of mine. I can't and don't want to believe he's gone :( RIP 🙏 "
"No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world." #RIPRobinWillams 😢 pic.twitter.com/B3nhpZEFWn
- Peyton List (@PeytonList) August 12, 2014
Makes me so sad to hear about Robin William's passing... He was truly a genius actor & comedian 😔 #RIPRobinWilliams
- Madison Pettis (@madisonpettis) August 12, 2014
Just found out a worldly loved man has left this earth today. I'm so terribly sad. Admired him greatly
RIP Robin Williams 💔
- Joey King (@JoeyKingActress) August 11, 2014
Mara wrote: "Everybody grieves in their own way. When I heard about Robin’s death, I was shocked, confused, angry, regretful, and above all, sad. All I wanted was to talk to my family and friends and cry. A few news outlets asked if I would be willing to talk about him on the air, and while I usually like interviews, I knew I wasn't in a good place to do that. I still (a whole three days later) don't want to do any. It's too soon, and I need my own time to process it all. While Robin and I had not talked in a few years, there is no question he had a great impact on my life. He was as warm and talented as everyone says, and a joy to be around. It's as if my favorite teacher died."
Williams's older daughter in Mrs. Doubtfire was played by Lisa Jakub, and like her onetime screen-sister, Lisa is also something of an actress-turned-writer now. Lisa wrote a similarly heartfelt tribute to Williams on her own blog, recalling that after she was expelled from high school for missing five months of class to shoot Doubtfire, Williams personally wrote to her principal, asking him to enroll her - an act of kindness that "changed my life."
Lisa wrote: "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. Even though I had not spoken with Robin in a very long time, I always assumed there would be some future opportunity to tell him that his letter changed my life. It taught me that you stand up for the things that matter. And even if your attempts fail, you tried. You told the truth. You took care of your friends. You fought back."
Robins Williams with his movie kids, Mara, Lisa, and Matt Lawrence, in Mrs. Doubtfire
But grief over Williams's death was certainly not limited to his costars. Even the death of Shirley Temple earlier this year didn't spark such an outpouring of sorrow on Twitter. Williams was truly one-of-a-kind. From oldest to youngest, here's a roundup of the former and current young actresses who tweeted about his passing:
I hope you enjoy heaven, you have earned it. My heart with so many others is broken for Robin and his family. RIP Robin Williams
- Patty Duke (@pattyduke_id) August 11, 2014
Robin Williams! Your work! Your heart! Your brain! So much left for you to do. So much more to love you for! Heartbroken. Rest in peace.
- Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) August 11, 2014
Melissa Joan Hart: "Beyond upset about one of my idols passing away tragically!! RIP Robin Williams."
Sarah Michelle Gellar: "My life is a better place because I knew Robin Williams. To my children he was Uncle Robin, to everyone he worked with, he was the best boss anyone had ever known, and to me he was not just an inspiration but he was the father I had always dreamed of having."
pic.twitter.com/4Pyx4Kfuxe
- Sarah Michelle (@RealSMG) August 12, 2014
Sarah with Williams (who played her father) in their sitcom The Crazy Ones. The show was called earlier this year, after only one season.
Honored to have worked w such a bright light and brilliant man. Love and prayers to his family and friends. #RIPRobinWilliams
- Mandy Moore (@TheMandyMoore) August 11, 2014
Mr. Williams visited me the first day of filming The Parent Trap. I will never forget his kindness. What an enormous loss. My condolences.
- Lindsay Lohan (@lindsaylohan) August 11, 2014
I am so heartbroken. Robin Williams was a light in my childhood. Rest in peace. 7 years old w/a single mom the first time I saw #MrsDoubtfire. Made me feel better about being from an unconventional family. Love is love.
- Emmy Rossum (@emmyrossum) August 11, 2014
My heart hurts for the Williams family. So so sad :( we love you robin! We love you mrs doubtfire!!
- Hilary Duff (@HilaryDuff) August 11, 2014
Absolutely stunned and heartbroken.
I dont know what to say. He was a huge part of my childhood.
#RIPRobinWillams
- Evan Rachel Wood (@evanrachelwood) August 11, 2014
The world is a lot less funny today. Prayers with Robins loved ones. RIP.
- Lucy Hale (@lucyhale) August 11, 2014
I can't handle this today. I will forever remember this moment as losing my childhood. Robin Williams was my hero and idol growing up. RIP.
- Sarah Hyland (@Sarah_Hyland) August 11, 2014
I can't take the Robin Williams news. I've never cried over someone I've never met but I can't stop 😿😿😿😿
- Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) August 11, 2014
Looking back at how much Robin Williams was a part of my childhood.. My heart is so sad.. 💔 my prayers are with his friends and family..
- Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) August 12, 2014
Saddened by loss of Robin Williams; praying for his loved ones.
Legacies of lightness are sometimes left by people with the heaviest hearts.
- Debby Ryan (@DebbyRyan) August 11, 2014
Robin Williams, we'll always miss you, you brought so much happiness to my childhood, thank you for that. Rest In Peace
- Chloë Grace Moretz (@ChloeGMoretz) August 12, 2014
G Hannelius: "I'm so shocked and saddened. Robin Williams was such a talent a huge inspiration of mine. I can't and don't want to believe he's gone :( RIP 🙏 "
"No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world." #RIPRobinWillams 😢 pic.twitter.com/B3nhpZEFWn
- Peyton List (@PeytonList) August 12, 2014
Makes me so sad to hear about Robin William's passing... He was truly a genius actor & comedian 😔 #RIPRobinWilliams
- Madison Pettis (@madisonpettis) August 12, 2014
Just found out a worldly loved man has left this earth today. I'm so terribly sad. Admired him greatly
RIP Robin Williams 💔
- Joey King (@JoeyKingActress) August 11, 2014