Sally Field Remembers Robin Williams’ Kindness After a Family Tragedy

On the 10th anniversary of Robin Williams’ death, friends and colleagues of the late star spoke to Vanity Fair about his unwavering commitment to bringing laughter to those around him.

However, beyond his comedic brilliance, there existed another side of Williams, marked by profound empathy and sensitivity. One such instance profoundly impacted his Mrs. Doubtfire co-star Sally Field during a moment of personal tragedy.

Field shared a heartfelt story with Vanity Fair, revealing Williams’ incredible support during her time of need. She recounted, “I never shared this story before. I was in the camper outside of the courtroom where we were shooting the divorce scene. My father had a stroke a couple of years before and was in a nursing facility. I got a phone call from the doctor saying my father had passed, a massive stroke. He asked if I wanted them to put him on the resuscitator. I said, ‘No, he did not want that. Just let him go. And please lean down and say, ‘Sally says goodbye.’ I was, of course, beside myself.”

Williams, known for his keen sense of intuition, quickly sensed Field’s distress. Field continued, “I came on the set trying with all my might to act. I wasn’t crying. Robin came over, pulled me out of the set, and asked, ‘Are you okay?’ ‘Yes, why?’ ‘I don’t know, just thought [I’d ask] that.’ ‘No, I’m not, Robin. My father just passed.’ ‘Oh my God, we need to get you out here right now.’”

Williams promptly made arrangements to ensure Field could take the time she needed. “And he made it happen—they shot around me the rest of the day. I could go back to my house, call my brother, and make arrangements. It’s a side of Robin that people rarely knew: He was very sensitive and intuitive.”