In need of a little joy these days? Head to YouTube.
There, fans will find the new channel dedicated to the late comedian, Robin Williams.
RELATED STORIES
It’s a celebration of his life, comedy, and the spark of joy — and a little madness — that he brought to the world.
TW: This article contains depictions or discussions of suicide and may be triggering to some readers.
Five years ago, the world lost a true icon.
Robin Williams died on August 11, 2014, at the age of 63.
He had been suffering from Lewy Body Dementia, a type of progressive dementia that affects thinking, movement, and memory.
Sadly, his death was ruled out to be a suicide.
He suffered from depression almost his whole life and had used comedy as a way to cope and spread joy to others and himself.
“I’ve spent this last year trying to find out what killed Robin,” his wife Susan Schneider told People . “Depression was one of let’s call it 50 symptoms, and it was a small one.”
His death came as a huge shock to those who loved the comedian.
After all, his movies are cemented in many people’s childhoods. During his career, he starred in classics, such as Jumanji , Mrs. Doubtfire , Aladdin , and many more.
He even won four Oscars during his career for his more serious roles.
This included Good Will Hunting and Dead Poets Society .
He’s survived by his three children Zak, 36, Zelda, 30, and Cody, 28; as well as his widow, Susan Schneider.
During a round of spring cleaning, Zelda even found these adorable photos of her and her late father.
Over the years, the family has honored his memory in several ways.
When Robin’s son Cody got married , he chose to do so on July 21, 2019, which would have been the actor’s 68th birthday.
On Instagram, Zelda, Cody’s sister, shared the touching meaning behind doing so.
“The 21st of July has meant many things to me over the years,” Zelda wrote. “It was the day my Dad was born, and the last day I got to see him.”
“That last one had begun to usurp the joy of the first …in recent years… until two days ago, when it became something new. On the 21st of July, 2019, it became the day I officially gained a new sister!”
Then, when Robin’s son Zachary had his first child with his wife, they named the child after him.
Robin’s middle name was McLaurin, so they named the child , born on May 22, 2019, McLaurin Clement Williams.
Zelda has also encouraged fans to help others in her father’s honor.
“If you’d like to do something in his honor, volunteer at your local homeless shelter, or look up how to make homeless aid backpacks. Give one in his name. He’d have loved that,” she previously wrote on Instagram.
“Otherwise some great orgs he loved include @cafoundation, @dswt and @reevefoundation. Mostly, try to spread some laughter and kindness around.”
She continued:
“And creatively swear a lot. [Every time] you do, somewhere out there in our vast weird universe, he’s giggling with you… or giving a particularly fat bumblebee its wings.”
Another way the late actor’s life is being celebrated is through the launch of a YouTube channel dedicated to him.
It launched yesterday, April 1, and features clips from the comedian’s most noteable stand-up shows.
“The Official Robin Williams YouTube Channel celebrates the life and comic genius of Robin Williams,” the page wrote.
“Whether you know Robin from the stage or from the screen, as a comedian, an alien, or a genie – be prepared to laugh and cry at these unforgettable and hilarious performances.”
Some of these unforgettable performances uploaded so far include “Robin Williams Live on Broadway: Golf,” “Robin Williams Live on Broadway: Koko the Gorilla,” and “Robin Williams Spark of Madness.”
There is also a personal interview with Lewis Black on how he became friends with Robin.
“We became friends because he thought I was very attractive and I had to deny him,” Black joked, calling Robin’s love for him “deep.”
According to ‘Entertainment Weekly,’ the YouTube channel is part of a partnership between Time Life and the Robin Williams Estate.
There will be new videos uploaded each week from now until the end of June.
So, if you’re bored in isolation and in the mood for some comedy, Robin’s channel is where it’s at.
You can visit the page here .
