Before Robin Williams and Christopher Reeve became famous for playing extraterrestrials (Williams on Mork and Mindy, Reeve in Superman), the two men were roommates at Juilliard in 1973. Their friendship endured for over three decades, until Reeve’s death at 52 in 2004. When Reeve became quadriplegic following a 1995 horse riding accident, Williams was the first person to make him laugh, visiting his hospital room pretending to be a Russian proctologist.
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Following Williams’ death this week at 63, the Reeve family released a statement paying tribute to the Superman star’s late best friend:
“The Reeve family, like many, will remember Robin for the humour, energy and brightness he brought into our lives through the screen. We will cherish him, though, for the quiet and unwavering support he showed our family through the hardest times. The world knew Robin as a comedic titan, but to our family, he was simply one of our Dad’s dearest friends. From the moment they were classmates at Juilliard, their friendship transformed into a brotherhood that was built on a mutual admiration for the theater, the arts and, most importantly, laughter.
“After our father’s accident, Robin’s visit to his hospital room was the first time that Dad truly laughed. Dad later said, “My old friend had helped me know that somehow I was going to be okay.’ Robin and his incredible family stayed by our side for the rest of Dad’s life, and long after that as well. He and Marsha Garces joined the Board of the Reeve Foundation, and provided unending support without fanfare or question.
“Robin’s unparalleled legacy on screen will last through the ages. But beyond the gift of laughter, he gave our family and the Reeve Foundation the gift of his simple, steadfast friendship. It’s a gift we’ll treasure forever.”;
In his 1996 autobiography Still Me, Reeve described Williams’ Russian proctologist routine as the turning point on his road to recovery. “I lay on my back, frozen, unable to avoid thinking the darkest thoughts,”; wrote Reeve. “Then, at an especially bleak moment, the door flew open and in hurried a squat fellow with a blue scrub hat and a yellow surgical gown and glasses, speaking in a Russian accent. He announced that he was my proctologist and that he had to examine me immediately. My first reaction was that either I was on way too many drugs or I was in fact brain damaged. For the first time since the accident, I laughed. My old friend had helped me know that somehow I was going to be okay.”;
