How Robin Williams Made His Buddy Christopher Reeve Laugh Again After His Incident

Aug 12, 2019

The great actor Robin Williams had a talent for making people laugh on screen as well as in his private life. He graced the lives of not just fans but his closest friends and family too with his winning personality. Sadly Williams passed away five years ago, but instead of being sad we choose to remember him and the moment he made his dear friend Christopher Reeve laugh after a tragic accident.

Many people don’t know that the two megastars were old friends from the beginning of their careers. Reeve and Williams were roommates at acting school at Juilliard in the 1970s, and their friendship never wavered even after fame came.

According to Biography.com, after Reeve’s “Superman” appearances, and Williams’ “Mork and Mindy” breakout role, the two still remained close. They would visit each other on the weekends and Reeve became the godfather of Williams’ son Zachary.

As true friends are, the two were always there for each other during hard times. When Christopher Reeve became quadriplegic after a horse-riding accident in 1995, he fell into a deep depression. His family even offered to stand by him if he decided he wanted to pull the plug.

In what she called one of the most memorable moments of her career, Barbara Walters interviewed Reeve on the amazing moment of what happened next.

To cheer him up, his old pal Robin Williams had entered the hospital room dressed as a doctor, asking this newly-paralyzed man to “turn over” in a Russian accent. Once Reeve realized what was happening, he laughed. He then understood that if he could laugh again, he could live again.

Reeve and his wife went on to form the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation in 1999 to empower those affected by paralysis. Williams was there by his side and became a member of the board.

In a heartbreaking moment for the world, Williams then committed suicide in 2014. The BBC reported that he was being treated for depression at the time. Although Williams was battling his own demons, the “Good Morning Vietnam,” “Aladdin,” and “Mrs. Doubtfire” star had still put the joy of others first.

"My friendship with Robin Williams is one of the real joys of my life. Robin is a person who gives to people 24 hours a day,” Christopher Reeve said in Esquire. “The gift of joy, the gift of laughter. Just to be in a room with Robin Williams is a privilege. He's a gift to the world."

The inspiring story of friendship and the gift of laughter should be spread far and wide. Pass this along to friends and family who could use this story today.