Robin Williams pauses during a comedy show at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait in 2007
(DoD photo)
Today, July 21, is the birthday of the late comedian Robin Williams, who took his own life in August 2014.
Williams was known for many things, including his frenetic style of comedy and his ability to inspire laughter regardless of context. But beyond his legacy as a comedian, it’s worth remembering his response to American troops in Kuwait who turned their backs on him during a 2007 performance.
Williams, then at the height of his career amid forays into various dramatic roles, was visiting Camp Arifjan in Kuwait as part of a USO tour for U.S. service members, many of whom were heading to Iraq or supporting the combat troops deployed there.
In the middle of one of his parts, Williams is interrupted by a trumpet sound: “Withdrawal,” the signal to American troops that the American flag was coming down at the end of the day. This is how Paul Szoldra described the moment after Williams’ death:
In his sound, the custom is to face the music, be attentive and say hello. In this case, Williams stays on stage, watching thousands of soldiers walk away from him, and he has no idea why.
But in the video that was released later, we see the comedian, brilliant for his improvisational skills, realizing that this moment is special. He is not a comedian. He is not a renowned celebrity. He’s just a guy on stage, and that music, and that flag going down, is so much more important.
In fact, in the images on the set, Williams stands still, arms folded, head bowed, totally silent, as the music plays.
Then the music ends, and Williams returns to his show with a tell-tale joke before diving into the rest of his show: “I’ve never had a full audience, forget it!”
Although Williams would be 69 years old today, his legacy as a comedian is forever, and for those who saw his moment of deference in Kuwait, his support for the men and women fighting in the United States abroad will remain with them forever.
Check out the full clip below:
.
