Just when we thought we couldnโt possibly love Robin Williams any more than we already do, he continues to be full of surprises.
A recent report unveiled that Williams was just as generous and kind as we already knew. Since his untimely death in 2014, reports on Williams have surfaced that speak volumes to the comedianโs generosity and thoughtfulness.
In a blog post by Brian Lord, he revealed that in Williamsโ rider, he required that whatever company he was signed with at the time, also hired a certain number of homeless people as well.
A rider โlists out an artistโs specific personal and technical needs for hosting them for an event- anything from bottled water and their green room to sound and lighting requirements.โ
The selfless request is very uncommon since most celebrity riders are pretty outlandish and ridiculous.
For example, according to The Telegraph, Mariah Carey requires that โshe is supplied with bottles of vitamin water to bathe her dogs in as well as an attendant to dispose of her used chewing gum.โ
According to Marie Clarie, Justin Timberlake requires that all doorknobs be disinfected every two hours of any backstage venue or hotel. In addition, โitโs necessary for him to have the elevator to himself and an entire floor of a hotel.โ
Lord has come across several outrageous celebrity riders so Williamsโ no doubt had an impact on him.
โI never watched a Robin Williams movie the same way after that.โ
Lord went on to express whether those companies kept that thoughtful requirement alive.
โI 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.โ
Williams was different. He didnโt bask in his fame and fortune. He used his influence to help and inspire others.
โIโm sure that on his own time and with his own money, he was working with these people in need, but heโd 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.โ
Lord came upon Williamsโ rider as he was attempting to hire the actor for an event.
Though he was unable to book him, he continued to admire Williams and his sweet and caring nature.
Lord concluded his post by writing, โHe was a great multiplier of his impact. Letโs hope that impact lives on without him. Thanks, Robin Williams- not just for laughs, but also for a cool example.โ
Since Williamโs passing, several people have come forward with sincerely amazing and generous stories about the comedic icon.
In The Huffington Post, Ricky Gervais recounted when the two were a part of a benefit comedic gig where all of the comedians were unknown.
โI did a benefit gig with him and there were loads of new comedians that we hadnโt heard of, and he spent the whole night at the side of the stage watching them โ you could hear him laughing louder than anyone โ and they were just blown away. He was a legend. Amazing. Itโs really sad.โ
Wow. There will never be another Robin Williams but we sure are grateful to have had him.
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