21 •••••• Please, I have to meet ROBIN WILLIAMS    1 • ••••••   

She was begging me. So I gave in.

I was lucky enough to meet Robin Williams more than once in the studio. He was just as warm, funny, and down-to-earth as you’d hope. His passing hit me hard. Not because we were close friends, but because this world is a lesser place without him in it. I have three stories to share that involve Robin. Two center around other people’s reactions to fame. The third is a great lesson about how professional comedians approached their careers.

Whenever someone like Robin is involved in a shoot, agents and managers make sure strict rules are established, agreed upon, and followed:

        No random visitors.

        No sneaky photos or anything other than what has been approved ahead of time.

        Definitely no, “Hey, my cousin LOVES you. Can she come say hi?”

Privacy is serious business.

And since this was a movie production and I wasn’t involved in the actual shooting,, just renting the studio out to a production company, I was pretty far down the list when it came to what was, and wasn’t allowed.

But one day, a woman from the ad agency next door, (et’s call her Denise),found out Robin Williams was coming in for a shoot. She flew into my office, practically vibrating with excitement.

“He’s my absolute favorite person in the world! I HAVE to meet him. Please—I’ll do anything!”

I tried to explain gently that it wasn’t possible.    But she begged.    And begged.    And begged.

Eventually, I caved.

“Okay. Since your agency is next door, and you often come over to pick up jobs, why don’t you leave something here on purpose? When you come back, I’ll quickly introduce you. Just keep the greeting short.”

On the day of the production, before the shoot actually began, Robin and I were in the office talking about cycling. He was really into it at the time. Denise was given the signal that this was her moment.

She came into the office, grabbed the package, and I turned to her.

“Hey, Denise, meet Robin. Robin, this is Denise.”

She stood there.    Frozen.    In complete silence.    She didn’t move.

This was it. This was the opportunity she had begged me for. The chance to meet her idol, her favorite person in the world.

But she just stood there like a statue, frozen in time.

Robin smiled and said hello.

All she could manage was a nervous, “Hi… I just work next door.”

Then she lowered her face toward the floor. More silence followed.    And it lasted far too long.

Eventually, Robin and I simply turned back to each other and continued our conversation.    I don’t know when or how Denise left. I think she may have just faded into the wall and disappeared.    But she never asked me for a favor like that again.

Here’s what I wish Denise had known, and what I remind myself of, too:

When your big moment comes, try not to let your nerves turn you into a statue.

Breathe.    Smile.    Say what you came to say.

Because sometimes, the opportunity you’ve been waiting for comes along only once.

It’s like when Robin Suggested that we go for a bike ride. We never did. Never got the chance.    I should have taken it before he was taken.    But life moves on.