The star would donate proceeds from his stand-up shows to a Seattle-based food bank
Actor and comic legend Robin Williams reportedly donated around $50,000 to a Seattle food bank in the years leading up to his 2014 death, with the star eager to keep his donations out of the limelight and as quiet as possible.
Williams, who tragically died by suicide following an undiagnosed battle with ‘Diffuse Lewy Body Dementia’ seven years ago aged just 63, quietly raised funds for the West Seattle Food Bank between 2004 and 2008, according to news outlet UpWorthy.
The Mrs Doubtfire actor would perform stand-up in the city in 2007 and 2008, donating all proceeds to the food bank. In total, it’s believed that Williams donated approximately $50,000 – all while trying to keep these proceeds out of the public eye.
Speaking to Today at the time the donations were made, West Seattle Food Bank executive director Fran Yeatts said: ‘I was just astounded. Robin Williams is the type of person who really understands there are a lot of people who are really, really struggling.”
Meanwhile, volunteer Mike Cervino emphasised the critical impact the actor had on the food bank whilst speaking to USA Today shortly after his untimely death: “It’s threefold, actually. One because he was a great comedian. Two, because he donated here, and three because people really rely on that here.”
Rising to fame in 1978 as raindow-braces-loving alien Mork in Mork & Mindy alongside co-star Pam Dawber, Williams went on to star in some of the most beloved comedies of recent years, including 1987’s Good Morning Vietnam, 1991’s Hook and 1992’s Aladdin in which he voiced the movie’s blue, sharp-talking genie.
A Juilliard drama graduate, he went on to prove that he could act as well as make people laugh in films like 1990’s Awakenings, 1998’s What Dreams May Come and 1997’s Good Will Hunting, the latter of which earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
As his work lives on to inspire a new generation, stories of Williams’ huge heart and secret good deeds further prove what a rare talent – and human being – he really was.
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