Robin Williams American Cinematheque Awards - H 2014
AP ImagesMemorials for Robin Williams have been created in Hollywood, Boston, Boulder and San Francisco, and on Wednesday night, New York City will pay tribute to the late actor.
The marquees of Broadway theaters will be dimmed on Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 7:45 p.m. for one minute, in honor of the comedy legend who died Monday at age 63.
The comedy legend headlined several stage productions throughout his diverse career. After studying theater on scholarship at Juilliard in New York, where he spent three years under the tutelage of John Houseman and others, he co-starred in Mike Nichols‘ 1988 off-Broadway staging of Waiting for Godot with Steve Martin; and hit Broadway in 2002 with his one-man special, Robin Williams: Live on Broadway. In 2011, he made his acting debut on the Great White Way in the title role of Rajiv Joseph’s drama Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo.
“Robin Williams was a comedic genius with limitless talent and stunning versatility who left this world far too early. He made an impact on everyone he met or entertained,” said Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of the Broadway League. “Whether on screen or live on stage, his multifaceted talent always created memorable performances. Robin Williams will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans.”
Earlier this week, Martin shared a tribute to his Waiting for Godot counterpart:
I could not be more stunned by the loss of Robin Williams, mensch, great talent, acting partner, genuine soul.
— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) August 11, 2014
James Monroe Iglehart, who won the Tony Award for his role as the Genie in Disney’s Broadway production of Aladdin, which Williams made iconic in the 1992 animated film, also honored the actor on Twitter:
Robin Williams! 1 of the Greatest Period. I just want to say Thank You for the laughs. #FallenHero
— james m. iglehart (@jamesmiglehart) August 11, 2014
And Aladdin composer Alan Menken also shared a statement: “If I had only watched Robin Williams on the TV screen, in the movies or on stage, I would consider myself blessed for having simply experienced his brilliance, his joy, his humor and his heart. The fact that I had the honor of sharing the creative process with him is an honor and a privilege that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
Watch the Broadway cast of Aladdin pay tribute to Robin Williams below.
Email: Ashley.Lee@THR.com
Twitter: @cashleelee
