Not only was Robin Williams absolutely hilarious, he was also a genuinely warm, kind and generous person.

His breakout role came in the form of the alien Mork on the hit television series, Happy Days (1974-84), with his talent immediately recognized by his co-stars, including the Fonz himself, Henry Winkler.

During the taping of the now-legendary 1978 crossover episode of “Happy Days,” Winkler noticed something unusual behind the scenes.

Williams, as the eccentric alien Mork from Ork was initially intended to have one appearance. This could be a big chance and of course, he was pacing nervously backstage. At that point, Williams was a relatively new face in the industry. He had auditioned for the role with unorthodox energy, even perching upside down on a chair to impress producer Garry Marshall.

However, on that day, the nervous energy was real. Winkler, already an established television star  playing Fonzie, quietly approached him.

Winkler pulled Williams aside and spoke with the calming certainty of someone who recognized a spark. He told Williams to trust his instincts and let his improvisation lead.

That conversation became the turning point of the episode. When the cameras rolled, Williams transformed completely. He delivered a performance so wildly original that much of it wasn’t even scripted.

Crew members reportedly struggled to hold in their laughter. Winkler, watching from the wings, later recalled, “I was watching someone levitate in front of me. That’s when I knew he was going to change comedy forever.”

That moment not only electrified the episode, but it also changed the course of Williams’s career.

His performance as Mork was so powerful that it spun off into the standalone series “Mork & Mindy,” which premiered in 1978 and became a cultural phenomenon. Yet for all the comedy and chaos Williams brought to the screen, he never forgot the kindness Winkler showed him that day.

Years later, during interviews, Williams often credited others for encouraging him early in his career, and while he didn’t always name Winkler specifically, in a 2006 retrospective for “Inside the Actors Studio,” he referred to one experience during a sitcom taping where “someone I looked up to calmed me down, told me to fly, and that gave me permission to be free.”

The audience knew exactly whom he meant. Even host James Lipton nodded knowingly.

After William’s tragic passing on August 11, 2014, Winkler spoke openly and emotionally about their first meeting and the bond they shared.

In interviews with “The Hollywood Reporter” and “CNN,” Winkler detailed that moment backstage. He said, “He was anxious, and I just told him to breathe, to follow whatever was inside him. And then I saw genius happen right in front of me. We all did. No one had ever seen that kind of speed and spontaneity before.”

Winkler also mentioned that over the years, they had crossed paths several times, each encounter filled with warmth and mutual respect.

In a moving tribute shortly after Robin’s death, Winkler posted a heartfelt message online: “Robin Williams made the world laugh and think. I was lucky to see his greatness before the world did. The world will never be the same without him.”

The post was shared thousands of times and stood out as one of the most personal tributes from someone who had witnessed his rise from the wings of a studio set.

Robin’s entry into television was chaotic and fast-paced, but the early support from seasoned peers like Winkler made a crucial difference. His debut as Mork was more than a role, it was an explosion of talent nurtured in the right moment by the right person. That backstage exchange became a defining memory for both men. Winkler saw brilliance in someone still unsure of his place, and that belief helped ignite one of the most unique careers in comedy history.

The next time Winkler appeared on late-night television after Robin’s passing, he paused when the host brought up that moment.

“You never forget the first time you see someone become who they’re meant to be,” he said. “Robin didn’t just walk into that studio, he arrived like lightning.”

That day on “Happy Days” remains one of television’s most quietly powerful behind-the-scenes moments, an instance where empathy and encouragement unlocked a once-in-a-generation voice.

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