Robin Williams - Williams Moved And Humbled By Heart Surgery

Funnyman ROBIN WILLIAMS got serious on late-night TV in America on Wednesday (26Aug09) as he revealed how grateful and humble he feels after heart surgery gave him a new lease of life earlier this year (09).

The Mrs. Doubtfire star had to cut short a stand-up comedy tour to replace a heart valve after doctors revealed the breathing problems he was experiencing at shows were deadly serious.

Appearing on the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show, the usually raucous Williams took a moment to tell the host how coming so close to death had made him truly appreciate the small things in life.

He said, "You appreciate everything. Big time. Friends, family, everything; you just kind of look at it (and) the gratitude is instantaneous... It is this thing of realising it is pretty precious, life.

"The surgery alone, it kind of humbles you... You're back and you just go, 'Man, I'm so grateful'.

"And the simplest things, like talking to friends and being with family... it really means something when you come back because you realise, 'Everyone of you means something to me.' It's really special."