Emmys 2014: Billy Crystal to lead 'meaningful' Robin Williams tribute with music from Sara Bareilles
The late actor will be honoured at next week's ceremony by his co-star
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Your support makes all the difference.Robin Williams will be remembered at next week’s Emmy Awards in a tribute led by actor-comedian Billy Crystal.
The decision was announced on Tuesday morning by executive producer Don Mischer, after ceremony organisers had promised to honour the late Good Will Hunting star with “the proper and meaningful rememberance he so well deserves”.
Williams, who was found dead aged 63 earlier this month, will feature during the show’s ‘In Memoriam’ segment when TV industry figures who passed away in the last year are remembered through brief clips.
The solemn section will be accompanied by music from singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, who recently dedicated her song “Hercules” to the actor.
Crystal and Williams worked together multiple times during their careers, co-hosting Comic Relief along with Whoopi Goldberg between 1986 and 2010, and starring in romcom Father’s Day.
As news broke of Williams’ suicide following a battle with severe depression, Crystal tweeted “No words” and has remained silent since.
Nominated for an Emmy eight times and winning twice, Williams took part in last year’s ‘In Memoriam’ to pay tribute to actor-comedian Jonathan Winters.
Tributes to Williams have been the subject of some controversy after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences tweeted a still from Disney’s Aladdin, showing Williams’ genie hugging the hero and referencing the film in a caption reading: “Genie, you’re a free”.
Suicide prevention groups reacted badly to this viral post, believing it implied that “suicide is an option”.
Others to honour Williams include US President Barack Obama, Back to the Future’s Michael J Fox, Ben Stiller, Russell Brand and even the people of Kafranbel in Syria.
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