It’s been a little over a year since the world lost Robin Williams and the stories about his huge heart and talent poured out in the aftermath. One such story comes from his Mrs. Doubtfire co-star Lisa Jakub, where she recounts the time she was expelled from her high school while filming. Something that didn’t sit well with Williams, leading him to write a letter to the school that just reappeared on Imgur and was featured in this article from The Independent shortly after his death:
Jakub told the story behind the letter on her blog and added how much it meant to her that Williams stood up to defend her:
When I was 14 years old, I went on location to film Mrs. Doubtfire for five months, and my high school was not happy. My job meant an increased workload for teachers, and they were not equipped to handle a “non-traditional” student. So, during filming, they kicked me out.
It’s devastating, at 14, to have your formal education terminated. I felt like a freak and a reject. When I arrived at work the next day, Robin noticed that I was upset and asked me what was wrong. I explained what had happened, and the next day, he handed me a letter that he wrote to my school. He explained that I was just trying to continue my education while pursuing my career. He wrote embarrassingly kind things about my character and my work, and requested that they reconsider and allow me to return to my classes.
When I told him I still didn’t think they would take me back, he said, “It’s kinda like Amnesty International. That school just needs to know that people know the truth.”
The school framed the letter. They hung it in the principal’s office. But they didn’t invite me to return to school.
But here’s what matters from that story. Robin stood up for me. He was in my corner. I was only 14, but I had already seen that I was in an industry that was full of back-stabbing. And it was entirely clear that Robin had my back.
The post (and her blog) is full of honest looks back on her career, and this one marks a moment that, in her words, changed her life. It’s just a sweet reminder that the smallest acts can make a difference for someone, even when it doesn’t have the intended conclusion. It also serves as a prime example of just how special Robin Williams was to those around him and what a huge blow his loss is to the world.
(Via The Independent / Imgur / Lisa Jakub)
