Actor Robin Williams was the first person to make fellow actor and friend Christopher Reeve laugh after the accident that left him paralysed from the neck down, said Reeve’s son.
In 1995, the Superman actor had been thrown thrown from a horse during an equestrian competition, which resulted in him using a wheelchair and ventilator for the rest of his life.
Reeve‘s son William recalled the incident to People, telling the outlet that Williams managed to elicit a chuckle from his late father by pretending to be a Russian proctologist.
READ MORE: Lola’s lopsided smile was the first sign of what killed her
“Robin was dad’s best friend, and you show up for your friends,” Will said, explaining the actors first met in the early ’70s when they were studying theater together at Juilliard.
“Our dad and Robin had a singular bond… They had a friendship that someone should make a movie about.
“What shone through in that was just their love and respect for each other, and that never wavered…” the 32-year-old said.
He added that while many rallied around the family when the accident occurred, it was Williams and his wife’s contribution that made a memorable impact.
For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
Aussie singer’s PDA with pop star at star-studded event
“No-one was better at showing up with love and with the right dose of humor than Robin Williams and his wife Marsha, who we call our fairy godmother. We are still so incredibly close with her.
“Robin and Marsha did so much for us, things that we’ll never be able to repay them for. We owe them an eternal debt of gratitude for the way that they supported us and loved us, and still do.”
Christopher went on to lobby for issues such as spinal injury research, and continued acting in the television remake of Rear Window (1998), as well as making two appearances in Smallville (2003). He also wrote two autobiographies titled Still Me and Nothing Is Impossible.
The actor passed away in 2004 due to heart failure.
READ MORE: Why Dr Karl finally married after decades with wife
Williams, known for his roles in Mrs Doubtfire, Dead Poet’s Society, Good Will Hunting, and more, died by suicide in 2014 after battling Lewy Body Dementia.
Christopher’s extraordinary life and legacy is now being explored like never before in a new documentary, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, created with the cooperation of Reeve’s three children – Matthew, Alexandra and William.
If you or someone you know is in need of support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue. In the event of an emergency dial Triple Zero (000).
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.