By: Jenny Nelson
Norm MacDonald Gave A Touching Tribute To Robin Williams on Twitter
As the community mourns the loss of talented performer and good person Robin Williams, many comedians have shared stories of Williams dropping in on standup and improv shows, often displaying more good nature and kindness than you would expect from a person who’d reached such a high level of fame.
One especially touching story comes from Norm MacDonald, who shared an anecdote on Twitter from when he was a young comic appearing on Letterman for the first time and Williams joined him in his dressing room. In the story, Williams, ‘the funniest man alive,” spends half an hour doing bits with ‘punk kid” MacDonald despite them being complete strangers. The whole story is wonderful, and heartbreaking, and a perfect example of the emptiness many are feeling following the loss of a true comedy legend.
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
H/T Uproxx
