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Robin Williams' children love paying tribute to their dad, especially when it comes to his compassion and legacy of philanthropy. Zak Williams, the comedian's oldest son, opened up to People at the 12th Annual Bring Change to Mind Revels & Revelations Gala, an organization which the actor's 41-year-old son sits on the board of.
In the interview, published on Sunday, December 8, Zak recalled how much his father, who died of suicide while suffering from Lewy Body Dementia in 2014, loved helping strangers. "When I was a little kid and we'd be walking in San Francisco where I grew up," he told the outlet, "[Robin Williams] would stop, talk to someone on the street -- a homeless person -- say, 'Hey boss, what can I do for you? And we'd see him get meals, food, money."
Zak also said that he and his siblings, Zelda and Cody, have sought to carry on the Mrs. Doubtfire star's legacy and achieve his goals. "It was deeply important to him to help improve the human condition, and that extends beyond helping people laugh and learn about themselves," he explained.
Bring Change to Mind, a non-profit founded by Robins' friend and World According to Garp co-star Glenn Close, "works to end the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness," a cause that is important to the Williams family. At the gala, Zak also said that his father "cared deeply about people in need," and explained that "[Robin] opened [Zak's] eyes to really what kindness was all about."
Zak said that he and his siblings see philanthropy as "a natural extension of what [Robin] would want, which is helping bring healing and helping develop resilience for folks, especially young people. He loved kids. And as a family, we feel it's a natural way to honor his legacy." Some of the charities the Good Will Hunting actor supported included the Challenged Athletes Foundation, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation -- which was founded by Robin's close friend, Superman actor Christopher Reeve -- and St. Jude's Children's Hospital.