How Robin Williams Helped Steven Spielberg Through Filming Schindler's List

When it comes to iconic movies, Schindler's List stands out as one of Steven Spielberg's most profound and emotionally draining projects. Filming a Holocaust drama in 1993 was no easy task, but Spielberg had a unique way of keeping his spirits up during those challenging days. "Every week, without fail, Robin Williams would call me," Spielberg revealed during a heartfelt tribute at the Tribeca Film Festival's 25th anniversary screening of the film. "He'd do 15 minutes of pure stand-up comedy right over the phone, and I couldn't help but laugh hysterically. It was exactly what I needed to release some of that intense emotional pressure."

Robin Williams, who famously starred in Spielberg's 1991 hit Hook, had a mischievous way of ending their calls. "Just as I'd be laughing the hardest, he'd suddenly drop the phone, leaving me hanging with no 'goodbye,'" Spielberg fondly remembered. "It was his unique way of keeping things light, even in the darkest of times."

robin williams and steven spielberg on hook getty images

Robin and Steven watch production footage on the set of Hook.

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Robin Williams: The Laugh Doctor for Sharon Osbourne

In a touching moment shared during a recent episode of the Osbourne family's podcast, Sharon Osbourne and her daughter Kelly recalled how Robin Williams brought laughter into their lives during a difficult time. Sharon was battling colon cancer in the early 2000s, and her husband, Ozzy Osbourne, believed laughter could be the best medicine. He organized a visit from Robin to lift Sharon's spirits. "I remember sitting at the bottom of the stairs, and we went from crying, not knowing what to do, to laughing so hard we were peeing ourselves because we could hear mom laughing upstairs with Robin," Kelly shared with heartfelt emotion. "The next day, everything changed, and mom went back to chemotherapy with renewed strength."

Sharon added, "Robin was one of the kindest, most genuine people you could ever meet. His humor wasn't just for entertainment; it was a lifeline during some of our darkest moments."