Zak Williams recently spoke with People at the 12th Annual Bring Change to Mind Revels & Revelations gala, reflecting on his father’s commitment to helping those in need.
“When I was a little kid and we’d be walking in San Francisco, where I grew up, he would stop, talk to someone on the street—a homeless person—say, ‘Hey boss, what can I do for you?’” he recalled. “And we’d see him get meals, food, money.”
The comedian, who passed away at age 63 in 2014, “cared deeply about people in need, and I think for me, he opened my eyes to really what kindness was all about,” Zak said. “It was deeply important to him to help improve the human condition, and that extends beyond helping people laugh and learn about themselves.”
The late actor’s son with first-wife Valerie Velardi also talked about his father’s efforts in supporting various charities, including the Challenged Athletes Foundation, the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Zak and his siblings now continue this work. He himself serves as the chairman of Glenn Close’s Bring Change to Mind organization, which works to end the stigma surrounding mental illness.
“We see it as a natural extension of what he would want, which is helping bring healing and helping develop resilience for folks, especially young people. He loved kids,” the elder child explained. “And as a family, we feel it’s a natural way to honor his legacy.”
Zak has two half-siblings, Zelda and Cody Williams, from Robin’s second marriage to Marsha Garces.
