by The PBS documentary series, Pioneers of Television, had interviewed Robin Williams extensively just recently for its portraits of him and other groundbreaking comedians of the past 60 years.
So, when Williams tragically died last month at 63, they went back through the footage with him as well as with other “Pioneers” about him, and also conducted new interviews for a one-hour special that premiered Tuesday night, Robin Williams Remembered.
Watch as Williams recounts his early years, first in the theater in college and Juilliard, then in the comedy clubs, and into television and movies.
The special features new interviews with Pam Dawber, his Mork & Mindy co-star, plus Henry Winkler, Yakov Smirnoff, Louie Anderson, Paul Rodriguez, Rick Overton, Blake Clark, Pauly Shore, George Schlatter, Penny Marshall, the late Jonathan Winters, Whoopi Goldberg, Jerry Stiller and Jimmie Walker. Filmmakers Steve Boettcher and Mike Trinklein shot many of the interviews at The Comedy Store in Hollywood where Williams first burst onto the scene.
“We were fortunate to sit down with Robin Williams quite recently for the Pioneers of Television series,” Boettcher said. “We wanted to share with PBS viewers the Robin that we saw – the very unassuming, caring, genuine and gentle man who took his acting seriously, but was able to make others laugh. We hope this special provides more insight to this incredible man, in his own words.”
Here, now, then, is the full special, Robin Williams Remembered.
