“Years ago I learned a very cool thing about Robin Williams, and I couldn’t watch a movie of his afterward without thinking of it. I never actually booked Robin Williams for an event, but I came close enough that his office sent over his rider.
For those outside of the entertainment industry, a rider lists out an artist’s specific personal and technical needs for hosting them for an event- anything from bottled water and their green room to sound and lighting requirements. You can learn a lot about a person from their rider. This is where rocks bands list their requirement for green M&Ms (which is actually a surprisingly smart thing to do).
This is also where a famous environmentalist requires a large gas-guzzling private jet to fly to the event city, but then requires an electric or hybrid car to take said environmentalist to the event venue when in view of the public.
When I got Robin Williams’ rider, I was very surprised by what I found. He actually had a requirement that for every single event or film he did, the company hiring him also had to hire a certain number of homeless people and put them to work.
I never watched a Robin Williams movie the same way after that. I’m sure that on his own time and with his own money, he was working with these people in need, but he’d also decided to use his clout as an entertainer to make sure that production companies and event planners also learned the value of giving people a chance to work their way back.
I wonder how many production companies continued the practice into their next non-Robin Williams project, as well as how many people got a chance at a job and the pride of earning an income, even temporarily, from his actions.
He was a great multiplier of his impact. Let’s hope that impact lives on without him. Thanks, Robin Williams- not just for laughs, but also for a cool example.”
Reposted with permission from brianlord.org
And in reply Anthony Murcia writes: I met Robin Williams when I was a security guard at Metreon in San Francisco. I was escorting a homeless man out of the building and the homeless man told me, "all I want it a chance to work here." I told him look there are a few things you need to do first. Get cleaned up, shave, and find something decent to wear and I will put you in contact with HR. Then I heard a voice say, "is that true?" I turned around and it was Robin Williams. I was amazed and star struck. I said, "yes it is, if goes up there like that they won't take him serious." The next day the man came back and all cleaned up with a nice suit. I prepped him for HR and walked him up there. I never confirmed if Robin helped him but I am sure he did. A few weeks went by and I was working and heard, "hey Tony." I turned around and it was Robin. Robin said, "that was a nice thing you did, thank you." From that point on we carried conversation not as a fan to actor but as friends. He always used my name. I eventually moved on from that job and didn't see him anymore but it was an experience I will remember for
The rest of my life. If I can help a homeless person I will. Robin told me, "it's not how
Much you give or what you give they just want to feel like someone still cares." Great man, makes you feel comfortable, and he was just one of the guys. Thank you Robin Williams.
The rest of my life. If I can help a homeless person I will. Robin told me, "it's not how
Much you give or what you give they just want to feel like someone still cares." Great man, makes you feel comfortable, and he was just one of the guys. Thank you Robin Williams.
