Legendary comedian and actor Robin Williams, who died Monday at age 63, was a Chicago native who trained at New York’s Juilliard School and spent the final years of his life in the San Francisco Bay area. His career brought him to Atlanta a number of times over the years, and one of his final movies, to be released posthumously, was filmed here last year.
The holiday-themed comedy, “Merry Friggin’ Christmas,” filmed scenes in locations including a downtown Norcross restaurant and a Stone Mountain subdivision. It also stars Candice Bergen, Lauren Graham, Joel McHale and Oliver Platt.
“RIP Robin Williams,” McHale tweeted. “You were one of the very best that ever was. You were one of my heroes.”
The movie’s director, Tristram Shapeero, also posted a message of sorrow: “Deeply saddened and truly shocked by Robin’s passing. He was a great comedian, but an even better actor.”
Williams came to town over the years for various projects and never traveled without his sense of mirth. Once, the celebrity-friendly South City Kitchen Midtown (located around the corner from the even celeb-friendlier Four Seasons), received a reservation for one “Teddy Roosevelt.”
At the appointed hour, in walked Williams, who played the Rough Rider in the “Night at the Museum” movies.
“A tweet cannot begin to describe the hugeness of Robin Williams’ heart and soul and talent. This is so sad,” his “Night at the Museum” co-star Ben Stiller posted. The two met when Stiller was 13 and will be seen together on the big screen one final time when “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” is released in December.
“He was so kind and I watched him be kind to every fan I ever saw him with,” Stiller posted. “With other actors, he was so generous and brilliant. He made everyone feel special and equal around him even though he was the genius. … His impact on the world was so positive. He did so much good for people. He made me and so many people laugh so hard for a very long time.”
The Oscar-winning actor had suffered from substance abuse and depression, and officials said a preliminary investigation determined the cause of Williams’ death was suicide due to asphyxia, The Associated Press reported.
Williams had thrilled huge audiences at the Fox Theatre during past visits to Atlanta, but during his final trip to town last year, he took the stage at a more intimate venue, making a surprise visit at the Laughing Skull Lounge.
Owner Marshall Chiles said having the comic genius work his room “was a dream come true. This is such a huge loss for the comedy world.”
Local radio personality Mara Davis was in the audience that night.
“It was so surreal,” she said. “He came out and there was this instant surge of energy. The whole room changed. All of a sudden, this blast of hilarity from a true physical comedian. You were in awe to be in a room with 80 people and Robin Williams.”
Back in the late 1980s, Williams visited the Punchline Comedy Club a couple of times. Marcey Guthrie, who has worked at the Punchline for more than 30 years, greeted Williams at the door when he arrived. The second time, to her amazement, Williams actually remembered her name.
“He didn’t come in stuffy,” Guthrie said. “Came in full blown having fun.”
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