Zak Williams is remembering his father, Robin Williams, 12 years after the beloved actor and comedian’s death, and fans are making it clear just how far his legacy still reaches. Zak marked the anniversary on Instagram on Tuesday, Aug. 11, sharing a black-and-white photo of his father alongside a deeply personal reflection on how grief has changed with time.
Getty“And just like that, twelve years since you left us,” he began.
Zak Williams Reflects on 12 Years Without His Dad Robin Williams
“There are children helped by your work who weren’t even born yet. Your kindness and love for humanity still finds people you never met, in rooms you never saw,” Zak wrote.
The 43-year-old admitted that mourning his father feels different more than a decade later.
“Grief at twelve years is different. Quieter, but deeper. Somewhere along the way, it turned into purpose.”
He also shared the lesson that has helped him carry that grief forward.
Getty“To anyone struggling today, I can only share what’s true for me. Through all the grief, nothing has been as healing as service. And when it got too heavy, reaching out saved me.”
Zak has spent years advocating for mental health and is the co-founder of PYM, a company focused on mental wellness. He has also worked with mental health organizations including Inseparable. According to People, he has previously described service and supporting others as an important part of his own healing.
Robin Williams’ Son Says His Father’s ‘Mission Continues’
Zak’s tribute also looked at Robin’s legacy through the eyes of his own children. “You taught the world that laughter and pain live in the same house, Dad. Neither one has to be carried alone,” he wrote.
“I look into the eyes of my children and know you would have loved them so much. They love you. We all love you. We all miss you.”
He ended, “Your mission continues because so many people carry it with us. Love you forever.”
Robin, whose credits included “Mork & Mindy,” “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Good Will Hunting” and “Dead Poets Society,” died in August 2014 at 63. An autopsy later revealed that he had Lewy body disease, which had not been fully diagnosed during his lifetime, according to PBS.
Fans Tell Zak Williams How Robin Williams ‘Saved’ Their Lives
The comments quickly filled with memories that went far beyond favorite movies.
One fan wrote, “I wouldn’t be alive today if wasn’t for your father. What dreams may come is the reason my son at 7 years old still has his father today.”
Another fan wrote: “What he shared with the world continues to make it a better place for all. Thoughts with you and yours today and always.”
Another shared an extraordinary story about watching Robin perform the Heimlich maneuver in “Mrs. Doubtfire.”
The commenter said that years later, when his own father began choking in a restaurant, the scene suddenly came back to him and helped him respond. After his father began breathing again, the fan said the significance of that old movie moment became very real. “Mr.Robin Williams literally saved my dad’s life,” he wrote. Sharing the story, he added, “We were in a local restaurant when my father began to choke on a piece of bread and he could not clear it and I knew I had to immediately act, and while I had a mild understanding of what the Heimlich maneuver was, I had no idea how to implement it effectively and then just like that the Mrs. Doubtfire scene came to my mind on how your dad did it to Pierce’s character at the end of the film in that restaurant in the movie and I sprang into action imitating doing the exact same motions your dad did and I tried to create the same pushing motions as your dad did to Pierce with the same velocity and strength that Robin did to my father and finally after the 3rd-4th thrust my dad spit out the bread and his color returned to his face and he began to breath again. That was top scariest moment of my life, but I owe your father my own father’s life. Mr.Robin Williams literally saved my dad’s life 🙏🙏🙏🙏 God bless you all and Good vibes to you guys always Thank you for being an awesome family from an awesome Person that is your dad Robin. ❤️”
Another fan who grew up watching Robin as Mork remembered his “quick wit” and “Huge Heart”, writing: “In Junior high, I watched Robin every week as Mork. I basically grew up watching his movies. He had a quick wit and that made him irresistible to my generation.. He made us laugh and then he made broke our heats when he left. Prayers for you and your family. I hope your children will realize when they grow older, what a Wonderful Granddaddy they had and know he had a Huge Heart.”
Another fan chimed in and wrote: “He was definitely my movie and TV dad. As I didn’t have one. He showed what love and laughter can do to a soul who has lost faith in the adults in their world. Your dad showed me, love, laughter, support. He was definitely one of a kind. ❤️Thank you so much for being kind and respondimg to comments. You are your father’s son! Thank you for all you do❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️”
Zak Williams Recently Honored Robin on His 75th Birthday
The anniversary tribute came just weeks after Zak marked what would have been his father’s 75th birthday on July 21.
“Today I’m remembering your weirdness and your extraordinary capacity to love,” Zak wrote at the time. He closed that tribute with the same enduring message: “Love you forever.”
That sentiment has become a thread running through the family’s remembrances of Robin. Twelve years later, fans are still answering it with stories of laughter, comfort and, in some cases, lives they say were changed because of him.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, dial 988 to reach the toll-free Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week (dial 888-628-9454 for assistance in Spanish). You can also speak with a trained crisis counselor anytime by texting HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
