If there’s a common theme in the stories told by Robin Williams’ friends in the wake of his tragic death yesterday, it’s of his fundamental sweetness. Actor and comedian Norm MacDonald contributed a remembrance that may be the sweetest Williams story yet, involving a terrified MacDonald about to perform for David Letterman for the first time. Williams had never met MacDonald, and yet he stopped by his dressing room and improvised a bit for the ages. MacDonald recounted the tale on Twitter, and it follows in chronological order below.
Norm MacDonald tweeted our favorite Robin Williams remembrance to date
Alone in a dressing room with the funniest man in the world
Alone in a dressing room with the funniest man in the world
is the editor of the Platformer newsletter and cohost of the Hard Fork podcast.
It was my first stand-up appearance on Letterman and I had to follow the funniest man in the world. #RIPRobinWilliams
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) August 12, 2014 I was a punk kid from rural Ontario and I was in my dressing room, terrified. #RIPRobinWilliams
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) August 12, 2014 I was on the phone to a friend back home when the funniest man in the world ambled by. #RIPRobinWilliams
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) August 12, 2014 There was no one else on the floor. In shock, I told my friend who just walked by. Only the funniest man in the world. #RIPRobinWilliams
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) August 12, 2014 I guess he heard me say his name, cause in an instant he was at my side. #RIPRobinWilliams
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) August 12, 2014 He was a jewish tailor, taking my measurements. He went down on his knees, asked which way I dressed. #RIPRobinWilliams
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) August 12, 2014 I told my friend on the phone that the funniest man in the world was on his knees before me, measuring my inseam. #RIPRobinWilliams
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) August 12, 2014 My friend didn't believe me so I said, "Could you talk to my friend, sir. #RIPRobinWilliams
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) August 12, 2014 The funniest man in the world took the phone and for ten minutes took my friend's chinese food order. #RIPRobinWilliams
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) August 12, 2014 I laughed and laughed and it was like I was in a dream because no one else was there. No one. #RIPRobinWilliams
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) August 12, 2014 The place was out of Moo Shoo Pork, and there was nothing he could do about it. #RIPRobinWilliams
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) August 12, 2014 He angrily hung up on my friend and I was about to thank him when he said I hadn't even tried the jacket on. #RIPRobinWilliams
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) August 12, 2014 Then the funniest man on earth dressed me, a complete stranger, and i remember he ended with a windsor knot. #RIPRobinWilliams
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) August 12, 2014 He spoke mostly yiddish, but when he finished he was happy with his job and turned me to a mirror to present myself to me.#RIPRobinWilliams
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) August 12, 2014 No one witnessed any of this. No one. #RIPRobinWilliams
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) August 12, 2014 The funniest man alive was in my dressing room a good half-hour and was far funnier than the set I had to do soon.#RIPRobinWilliams
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) August 12, 2014 ll of a sudden it was, had to. #RIPRobinWilliams
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) August 12, 2014 When he left my dressing room, I felt alone. As alone as I ever remember feeling. #RIPRobinWilliams
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) August 12, 2014 Until today. #RIPRobinWilliams
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) August 12, 2014 Unacceptable. #RIPRobinWilliams
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) August 12, 2014 Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
