American producer, director, and comedian Billy Crystal hosted the tribute segment for his dear friend Robin Williams during the 2014 Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, multiple reports have said. Williams recently passed away on August 11 at his home in an apparent suicide. Prior to his death, Williams was found to have been addicted to alcohol and was admitted and received treatment at the Hazeldon Fondation Treatment Center.
Watch the Robin Williams' tribute during the 2014 Primetime Emmy Awards night here.
Crystal, who is well-known for lending his voice to "Monster"'s Inc. Mike Wazowski character, recalled Williams' brilliance in delivering his jokes. Following Sarah Bareilles' rendition of "Smile," he began by saying, "He made us laugh. Every time you saw him - on television, movies, nightclubs, arenas, hospitals, homeless shelters for our troops overseas, and even in a dying girl's living room for her last wish - he made us laugh. Big time."
The 66-year old Hollywood veteran also remembered William's influence and their unbreakable friendship, and shared some of his experiences with the late comedian when the latter was at play. Trying to keep his emotions intact, he recalled, "I spent many happy hours with Robin on stage. The brilliance was astounding. The relentless energy was thrilling. I used to think if I could just put a saddle on him and stay on him for eight seconds I was going to do okay."
Crystal told a story about him, Whoopi Goldberg and Williams during the Comic Relief Day at the New York's Shea Stadium. After Crystal gave his friend, who knows nothing about baseball, a way to enter into an ongoing conversation with New York Mets newscaster Tim McCarver, Rolling Stone said the "When Harry Met Sally" star swore his friend took the conversation into a new direction when he acted like a defecting Russian baseball player.
Crystal capped his speech about his dear friend and told the audience, "[His] beautiful light will continue to shine on us forever. And the glow will be so bright, it'll warm your heart. It'll make your eyes glisten. And you'll think to yourselves: Robin Williams. What a concept."
A video was then played via the projector showing his varied appearances in the "Tonight Show" and his popular stand-up gigs.
Crystal's friendship with Williams made comedic gold when they famously appeared in cameo roles in "Friends," Buzzfeed said. The duo appeared in one episode where Williams acted as a distraught man who suspected that his wife was sleeping with someone. Crystal played his friend, who would later on would reveal a secret, much to Williams' chagrin.
Check out that episode below courtesy of NBC:
Join the Conversation