Robin Williams Son Honors Him on His 74th Birthday
Robin Williams Son Honors Him on His 74th Birthday
On July 21, Zak Williams paid heartfelt tribute to his father, the late Robin Williams, on what would have been the beloved comedian and actor’s 74th birthday.
In a moving Instagram post, Zak shared a throwback photo of Robin along with a powerful message. “Every year, this season arrives with gravity,” he wrote. “In just 60 days, we pass through Father’s Day, his birthday, and the anniversary of his death. It’s a tender and complicated stretch of time. One that asks a lot of the heart.”
Robin Williams passed away in August 2014 at age 63 after battling Lewy body dementia. His decades-long struggles with substance abuse also impacted his personal life and career. Zak, now 42, continues to carry forward his father’s legacy through his work in mental health advocacy.
“For me, grief isn’t linear,” Zak said. “It loops and echoes. It softens, then crescendos. But alongside it lives a legacy — the kind built not from fame or recognition, but from generosity and relentless kindness.”
Zak also reflected on his childhood with his famous dad. Speaking on USA TODAY’s “The Excerpt” podcast in August 2024, he described Robin as a “big kid at heart” who loved video games, comic books, and spending time with his family.
“My father lived to make people feel seen,” Zak added. “In his absence, that mission continues. So today, I hold close the idea that the best way to honor those we love is to live the values they stood for.”
He ended the tribute simply: “Happy birthday, Dad. Love you forever.”
