Robin Williams’ Son Zak Speaks Up For the First Time After Dad’s Death

Robin Williams’ eldest son has spoken up for the first time since the beloved actor’s death in August. Zak Williams turned up at the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation fundraising gala, and said their family is adjusting “to the new normal.”

Zak, 31, was Williams’ son with his first wife Valerie Velardi. He has two step-siblings, sister Zelda and brother Cody, both were Williams’ children from his second wife Marsha Garces. Apart from a statement he released to the media following his dad’s death, Zak has remained quiet, just letting Zelda deal with the media and the public.

On Thursday, however, Zak spoke on behalf of his family at the gala, saying they are “doing okay.”

“We’re acclimating to the new normal. Everything is step by step. Personally, my wife and I are focusing on doing a lot of good. She runs the San Francisco office of Human Rights Watch, and we’re working with them to do good in the world,” he said.

He also talked about the late actor Christopher Reeve, his father’s best friend. Reeves, best known for playing Clark Kent/Superman in the blockbuster films in the ‘80s, died in 2004 of cardiac arrest. He became a quadriplegic after a horse accident in 1995, and had required a portable ventilator so he could breathe.

“They had a tremendous love for one another,” Zak said of Williams and Reeve’s friendship. “The amazing thing about their relationship was their incredible drive to take the time to love, to help, and to appreciate others, even while they found themselves in great pain.”

William and Reeve were students at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York, and were both selected for the foundation’s advanced program. They developed a close friendship from then on, with Williams even picking up the tab for many of Reeve’s medical bills after the latter’s insurance ran out.

“They always found time to give their all to those in need,” Zak continued. Bringing light and healing where there’s darkness, pain, or suffering is absolutely vital.”

Williams’ “childlike love” that he shared with everyone is what Zak would like to share with his children as well, saying, “And that ability to love, and that ability to be generous and giving and kind is something we would want to share with future generations.”

Williams died on August 11 at his home in California. The final autopsy report revealed that he committed suicide. His remains were cremated and his ashes were scattered in San Francisco Bay.