“Thanks, Robin Williams – not just for laughs, but also for a cool example.”
If we needed further proof that Robin Williams was an absolute gem, then here it is.
The beloved actor, who was 63 when he passed away in 2014, used his star power not just to entertain but also to make a tangible difference in the lives of those around him.
It has been reported that Williams had a unique and heartwarming demand when it came to his contracts for events and films.
According to booking agent Brian Lord, Williams insisted that any company hiring him should also employ a specified number of homeless people.
Lord shared this touching story, recalling his surprise upon seeing Williams’ rider (a set of demands that performers often include in their contracts).
“When I got Robin Williams’ rider, I was very surprised by what I found,” Lord said.
“He actually had a requirement that, for every single event or film he did, the company hiring him also had to hire a certain number of homeless people and put them to work.”
This clause wasn’t just a one-time thing. Williams consistently used his influence to ensure that those less fortunate had opportunities to earn an income.
Lord added, “I never watched a Robin Williams movie the same way after that. I’m sure that on his own time and with his own money, he was working with these people in need, but he’d also decided to use his clout as an entertainer to make sure that production companies and event planners also learned the value of giving people a chance to work their way back.”
Williams’ generosity didn’t go unnoticed. A Reddit user, who claimed to have worked with the actor on the set of “What Dreams May Come,” shared their experience.
“He got paid a ton. The other A-listers just clocked in and clocked out. He would hang around the set all day, for instance taking the security guard’s mother on a personal tour of the sets,” the user wrote.
They also mentioned how Williams saved a wrap party from being canceled due to budget issues by paying $50,000 out of his own pocket, under the condition of anonymity.
Another person commented on the Reddit thread, reflecting on Williams’ legacy: “His spirit and joy literally shaped a part of how I see the world.”
Lord also pondered the lasting impact of Williams’ actions, saying, “I wonder how many production companies continued the practice into their next non-Robin Williams project, as well as how many people got a chance at a job and the pride of earning an income, even temporarily, from his actions. He was a great multiplier of his impact. Let’s hope that impact lives on without him.”