Billy Crystal gave an emotional tribute to his late friend and fellow comic Robin Williams at the Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Monday (25th August).
Robin Williams was honoured at the Primetime Emmy Awards 2014 on Monday (25th August) by his close friend Billy Crystal. Crystal's speech was sombre and poignant, in contrast to the vibrant man he described and we all know from the screen.
Tributes have poured in from Williams' friends and fans.
Read More: David Letterman Opens Up About Long Time Friend Robin Williams' Suicide.
Williams committed suicide on 11th August and continues to be mourned by his family, friends, fans and the acting community at large. He was 63-years-old at the time of his death and it is believed he was suffering from the early symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Crystal praised his late friend for his professional talent, describing Williams as a "genius" on stage. He recounted how easy it was for Williams to make people laugh in whatever context audiences saw him, stating "he could be funny anywhere". 66-year-old Crystal recounted how Williams was on stage, saying "The brilliance was astounding; the relentless energy was kind of thrilling. I used to think if I could just put a saddle and stay on for eight seconds I was going to do OK."
Billy Crystal gave a heartfelt tribute to his late friend at the Primetime Emmys.
Crystal also claimed Williams "was the greatest friend you could ever imagine." He described him as "supportive" and "loving", pausing to chokingly explain how "It's very hard to talk about him in the past because he was so present in all of our lives."
Crystal concluded his short speech by called Williams "The brightest star in the comedy galaxy." He sadly elaborated, saying "but whilst some of the brightest of our celestial bodies are actually succinct now, their energy long since cooled. But miraculously because they float in the heavens, so far away from us now their beautiful light will continue to shine on us forever and the glow will be so bright it'll warm your heart, it'll take your eyes glisten and you'll think to yourselves: 'Robin Williams what a concept.'"
Read More: Robin Williams Cremated, Ashes Scattered In San Francisco Bay.
Crystal described Williams as a "genius on stage".
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