Robin Williams' 1-year-old grandson learning about the late actor through 1992's 'Aladdin', reveals son Zak
Robin Williams' grandchild is slowly learning about his incredibly talented grandfather through some of his films, the late actor's son has revealed. The 37-year-old Zachary Pym Williams, better known as Zak Williams, shared that his one-year-old son McLaurin Clement, who goes by the name Mickie, was being introduced to the legendary comedian and actor and that the infant was particularly smitten by 1992's 'Aladdin,' where Williams voiced the Genie, according to a report by People magazine.
"His mom [Olivia June] and I have certainly considered how we want to introduce my son's grandfather, my dad, into his life," Zak shared. "Certainly through his movies and the cartoons that he participated in is a great way. My son, Mickey, points at a cel that we have in his room of my dad that has the genie from Aladdin."
He revealed that he and his wife have a few other cels — transparent sheets of celluloid that are drawn on and used in the production of cartoons — from Williams' films placed around their son's room as well. "He's got a collection of photos and animation cels throughout our home that he sees on a daily basis," Zak said. "I think it's being mindful and introducing the elements and stories about him slowly."
Williams, widely regarded by critics as one of the funniest comedians of all-time and who won an Oscar, multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards and Grammy Awards in his storied career, tragically took his own life in 2014. He was just 63.
Zak said the hope for this exercise was to "celebrate the positive elements and his works and films in a way that there can be appreciation and acknowledgment of him both as an entertainer, but also as a family man, parent and grandfather." He continued, "So, the key thing would be for us to introduce it slowly and meaningfully." He added, "Taking an opportunity to share stories and his values in a way that we hope can be appreciated and embodied."
The 37-year-old also shared how his life had "completely changed" since he first became a dad a year ago in May 2019. "[It gives you] perspective on what it takes to actually show up for another person," he revealed. "To be a present and engaged parent requires focus and commitment to time and an effort that ... it's a lot. But the rewards are unlike anything I've experienced before."
"What was new to me was the amount of effort required to show up for a little human. It's been the most rewarding thing I've experienced to date," he added. Besides introducing his son to Williams, Zak has also involved himself in a mental health organization called Inseparable, which is working towards ensuring all Americans have access to care amidst the coronavirus pandemic, to keep the spirit of his father alive.
"The coronavirus pandemic has brought light to a parallel pandemic that's happening," he said. "We are experiencing from it as a direct result of the pandemic... a shared trauma that's becoming quite acute as a result of everything that people have been through both in terms of the devastating economic effects, the isolation and a lot of circumstances from communities."
"Instead of becoming more isolated, finding resentment, getting angry about it, we need to actually find solutions and opportunities to band together to find the resources and apply them to actual meaningful change on a system's level. That's what I think is so important at this time," Zak added.
