Ben Affleck Shares Sweet Robin Williams Memory From Good Will Hunting Set

Ben Affleck remembers Robin Williams in a touching memory from Good Will Hunting. Affleck has had a wonderful year, co-writing and appearing in Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel and starring in George Clooney’s The Tender Bar, receiving Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for the latter. The Last Duel reunites Affleck with Matt Damon, his childhood friend with whom he co-wrote Good Will Hunting, garnering the pair their first Oscar win and putting them on track for their lasting careers.

One key to Good Will Hunting’s success was the casting of Robin Williams, who portrayed Will’s therapist, Dr. Sean Maguire. Prior to the film, Williams was an established movie star known in both the comedic and dramatic genres for his roles in Mrs. Doubtfire, Dead Poets Society, Awakenings, and Good Morning, Vietnam. Williams did not know of Damon or Affleck, but admired the strength of the script enough to sign on. The decision paid off for him, as he received his first Academy Award for the role.

In an interview with EW, Affleck reminisces filming Good Will Hunting with Williams. Despite being the most experienced actor of the three, Williams would always ask for opinions during his scenes, as well as requesting many takes to get his performance right. Affleck also speaks of Williams’ personality behind the scenes, confirming him as one of the nicest, funniest, and collaborative actors. Affleck’s  statement about Williams can be read below:

He was the biggest star in the world. He was leveraging an awful lot. [But] he never seemed condescending or worried or impatient. He just came into it with this collaborative spirit, embraced it. And it was more him going, ‘How was it? What do you think? I think we should do it again tomorrow.’ I’d be [like], ‘Robin, you did it 40 times. And they were all great! We don’t need to re-shoot it tomorrow.’ But we’d be back there doing his monologue, and he put his heart and soul into it, [though] I remember personal issues of his that I could tell were coming through in moments. And God, he was a wonderful guy and funny.

It is clear that Williams poured out all of his talent for this movie, and his therapy scenes with Damon are among the film’s signature moments. It is considered by many fans his best dramatic performance, solidifying him as one of the most versatile actors and someone who always took his craft seriously. His death in 2014 was met with immediate outpour from industry peers and affirming him as an immeasurable talent and great person, which is reflected in Affleck’s statement.

Williams left a massive impact on the public and the entertainment industry. His legacy as a national treasure has inspired generations of actors and comedians, and he has cemented his persona in history as a model figure. Good Will Hunting is considered by many to be a standout movie of that decade, and it wouldn’t be what it is without Williams and his performance.