Zak Williams shares his memories of dad Robin Williams

To his fans around the world, Robin Williams was a shooting star, a once-in-a-generation talent who could burst your gut with his improvisational comedic riffs or melt your heart with his touching dramatic performances.
Consider: Mork from Ork, the DJ from “Good Morning, Vietnam,” a zany cartoon Genie, and a revered English teacher, all from the same multifaceted brain. Truly the stuff of legend.
But to his kids, Zak, Zelda and Cody, he was “just Robin,” a happy-go-lucky father who delighted in collecting comic books and toys, riding his bike and making his children giggle.
Williams will be on the minds of many this weekend. Ten years ago Sunday, he took his life at age 63 in his San Francisco area home, unable to bear the debilitating effects of Lewy body dementia.
USA TODAY recently spoke with Zak Williams, 41, who along with his wife, Olivia, runs Prepare Your Mind, a mental hygiene brand.
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In a candid conversation for USA TODAY’s The Excerpt podcast, Williams reflected on his father’s greatest movie hits, childhood memories and how he’ll remember his dad on this anniversary. Here are few highlights from his conversation with Taylor Wilson (edited for length and clarity).
Question: What do you think was your father’s favorite film among the dozens he made?
Zak Williams: “Good Morning, Vietnam” was an experience, it’s my favorite film of his. And I think he just had a blast doing it. We come from a Navy family, so for him it was fun to have an opportunity to represent someone from the Armed Forces. And you know, I think he loved “Mrs. Doubtfire” because he had an opportunity to film that in the Bay Area and be near his family (while making) it.
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Your father was a larger-than-life character on the screen. What was he like offscreen in his private life?
Well, he was very funny. But he also was very introspective. He loved playing video games and collecting toys and comic books. I mean, he was a big kid at heart. And the memories I’m most fond of in terms of our private family life relate to my siblings and spending time with him basically being a big kid.
But ultimately more introspective with you all.
I would say he was more on the quiet side than being, you know, boisterous and kind of that stage persona that you might see in his (stand-up) comedy or his films. He was a deeply thoughtful, curious human being.
Was it a challenge growing up the son of such a famous person?
I wasn’t really exposed to the limelight so much growing up, because I grew up in San Francisco. And around San Francisco, he was just Robin, you know, not Robin the celebrity entertainer. Folks would just know him for biking around town … and just being a super-friendly guy in the neighborhood.
When you learned about the disease your father was trying to cope with, how did it impact the family?
What it did for me and my family is similar to what it did for millions of people throughout the word. It was sad and devastating to hear that he was suffering so much. … I hope that we can invest in research and innovation to ideally find solutions for diseases like dementia.
Your company focuses on mental health. Prepare Your Mind plays off your middle name, Pym.
He said it sounded vaguely Welsh when he gave it to me. Yes, the company sells nutritional products, focusing on things like amino acids, vitamins and minerals to help people with their neurotransmitter health and, ultimately, mental well-being. … I found it very helpful as I was going through a very challenging time in my life after being diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and depression.
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Have your young children seen your father’s movies yet?
My son Mickey is 5 and my daughter Zola is 3, and we haven’t shown them “Mrs. Doubtfire” yet, but they have seen “Flubber,” and they love “Aladdin.” And they just find it hilarious, they’re familiar with Grandpa Robin.
How will you all get through this anniversary?
I think of my father fondly all year, but around this time of year, I think about his good works, his philanthropic focus. I tend to spend time with my family. … It comes down to remembering him fondly for his incredible heart and love for humanity.
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 any time, day or night, or chat online.