With thirty years of file footage and an entire industry filled with fond memories, the network morning shows spent much of their early hours on Tuesday paying tribute to the late Robin Williams.
The Oscar-winning actor was found dead in his Bay Area home on Monday, a tragic event that was very much mourned by hosts and guests alike.
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Along with the usual packages about his greatest roles — and there were plenty, from “Mork & Mindy” all the way through his illustrious film career — and careful treatment of his decades of demons, “Today” and “Good Morning America” brought on guests that praised both Williams’ character and, universally, his genius.
On “Today,” James Lipton remembered his famous two hour interview with Williams on “Inside the Actors’ Studio,” recalling how the actor spent six whole minutes putting on a show for the audience before even a single question could be asked.
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Lipton revealed that Williams had done 52 different characters in a three minute song segment for “Aladdin,” an amazing achievement the kind of which only Williams could pull off.
Williams could reach deep into his soul to find a character, whether funny or dramatic, Lipton said, and recalled the advice he would give to any director fortunate enough to have Williams in his cast: “Get out of the way.”
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Over on “GMA,” former People Magazine editor Larry Hackett joined Robin Roberts to discuss Williams’ life and talent, showering the late actor with similar praise.
“We talk about genius a lot in this business,” Hackett said, “and when someone dies, everyone calls them beloved. This man truly, truly was.”