Billy Crystal Gives Fitting Emmys Tribute to Late Friend Robin Williams
Silence filled Los Angeles’ Nokia Theater on Monday night as the Emmy Awards paid homage to the actors and actresses we lost over the past year.
The “In Memoriam” section of the evening included the famous faces of Philip Seymour Hoffman, James Garner, Ann B. Davis and Lauren Bacall — set to a stunning rendition of Nat King Cole’s “Smile” by Sara Bareilles — but it was the final face to flash up on the screen that gave everyone pause.
At that time, Billy Crystal took over to share memories of his good pal, Robin Williams. “As genius as he was on stage, he was the greatest friend you could ever imagine,” the comedian told Hollywood’s elite. “It is very hard to talk about him in the past because he was so present in all of our lives.”
Before a montage of the 63-year-old’s best stand-up and talk show moments played, Billy ended his tribute with these fitting words:
“Robin Williams, what a concept.”