We’re so saddened by the news of Robin Williams‘ passing today. There are too many remarkable moments from his career and life to try and list here, but we thought we’d highlight some of our personal and historic memories of him related to his time in the Richmond District.
Williams was well known for getting his start in San Francisco, most notably at the Holy City Zoo at 408 Clement Street (now Side Bar). Williams was known for using “the club as his neighborhood rehearsal space”. When the club shuttered in 1984 (for the first time, it lived on until 1994 in a few different forms), the Chronicle wrote about its importance to Robin:
ROBIN WILLIAMS was there, of course, but didn’t much want to talk about it. It was a highly personal moment. He did his earliest stand-up here, met his oldest friends here, met his wife here. This is where he learned his craft, and it was a sad, melancholy night on June 19, 1984. The Holy City Zoo, a legend among America’s comedy clubs, the ultimate “comedian’s hangout,” folded after 13 years.
“I’m sad,” said Robin. “We had wonderful times here, strange times here; this wasn’t a haven, it was a game preserve. I remember a big black guy who’d come in with a baseball bat and say ‘I’d like to audition.’ But a lot of that is in the past. So many changes.”
Robin was also known to perform consistently early in his career (and to pop by occasionally after becoming a star) at the annual Comedy in the Park event in Golden Gate Park. I’m sure they’ll take time at this year’s event on September 14 to remember him well.
He lived in Sea Cliff for many years in a pink, Mediterranean-style house on a corner that was a popular stop on Halloween. One year I noticed a huge line outside Robin’s house as kids lined up to get their “treat” – a glow necklace. He was always generous on Halloween.
He was often seen around the neighborhood, usually on a bike. I spotted him once waiting outside Angelina’s Cafe for his order, barely recognizable under a hat. Even after he moved to Marin, he was seen occasionally in the ‘hood.
Another former resident, Cate Z., remembers her encounters with him fondly. “I used to see him walking his white Boxer in Seacliff. He always stopped and pet our big scary Rottweiler. Such a nice man and such a huge talent. He was a gentle soul.”
Feel free to share your memories of Robin Williams in the comments. His vivacious spirit will be missed.
Sarah B.
P.S. – Some local comedians gathered at the former Holy City Zoo on Clement Street after the announcement of Robin’s death.
At Comedy in the Park, 1987. Photo: Deanne Fitzmaurice, The Chronicle
The Holy City Zoo just before its closing. Photo: Chris Stewart, The Chronicle
I once ran into Robin Williams at @GreenAppleBooks; he recommended a book I loved, and I always wanted to thank him. Dammit. Dammit. Dammit.
— Fawn Fitter (@fsquared) August 11, 2014
We are truly saddened by the loss of this hilarious man and great customer (he once dubbed us "book pimps.") http://t.co/jb33wZ7yhk
— Green Apple Books (@GreenAppleBooks) August 11, 2014
Ocean Beach, 8/11/14. Photo by Katie L.
A chalk message outside Angelina’s Cafe. Photo by Mike F.
Mourners leave bouquets of flowers at Robin Williams’ former home in Sea Cliff on Monday, August 11, 2014.
Photo by Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle.
nice obit here, good job.
so sad. my first sitcom was mork and mindy…..i was hooked on robin williams way back then.
Awesome talent, stunned and saddened. The World has lost one of the greats! Rest in peace patch.
SFGate/Chron have been running this photo captioned “San Francisco 1987 (Photo: Fred Larson)”:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Buy4r-eIEAMpblb.jpg:large
It is in fact on Clement Street. I loved that he loved it here, was one of us.
Definitely remember going to his Sea Cliff house for trick-or-treating as a young child. He was a genuine, nice, approachable gentleman and neighbor.
@Peter – That’s a great pic, thanks for posting.
Sarah B.
At roughly 4:30pm, today, a stranger approached me outside the Post Office on 21st and Geary to say: “Robin Williams has passed”; he went on to give some details; we chatted a bit with woman who was standing nearby, and then we all went our separate ways. That announcement changed the entire tenor of the afternoon.
Robin Williams was a true genius – a one in a lifetime genius the likes of which we may never see again. He was a kind, gentle soul who made people laugh, and cry; he had enormous insight into the human condition, no doubt some of which was brought on by his own suffering (from b-polar disease and various additions that most likely resulted from self-medicating).
Williams was a giant. Here are some more photos from the Chron
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Robin-Williams-dead-in-suspected-suicide-5682190.php
And, the first part of an interview with the Actor’s Studio, showing the raw comedic genius of a man who was so much more than a great comic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U48KpK1srx4
RIP, Mr. Williams – your legacy is the laughs and cathartic tears that you brought out of audiences and friends, worldwide; that legacy will continue, as long as light shines. Thank you, and godspeed!
I remember him fondly as the alien from space, and his earthbound lady-friend Mindy
http://www.donaldkinney.com/four/morkandmindy.jpg
((admin — sorry — please remove my comment, #7))
When did Robin Williams move from his pink house to Tiburon? I’ve always told everyone that he lived there. And where is “unincorporated Tiburon”?
As a lifelong resident of the neighborhood, Mr. Williams was the cool uncle you didn’t see often but were always glad to run into. I remember being a kid and hearing a rumor about how he gave away Game Boys(!) for Halloween, and gaggles pre-teens working out elaborate trick or treating schedules to try and see what he would give. The year after I heard the rumor, it was toothbrushes. It seemed like every little shop on Geary and Clement had a picture or a story about him, and why wouldn’t they? He was a neighborhood guy, walking around, grabbing a burger, and stopping off at the comic book shop to rent some anime or pick up a new toy. When his kids were waist high, I worked at the comic shop and remember a slightly frazzled dad trying to wrangle his chatty, outgoing son and his daughter that always seemed to be engrossed in a game boy slipping in just before closing because they needed the newest CCG cards. He was always such a nice guy, humble, generous, down to earth, and kind.
Tragic loss. Spoke fast…Ad-libbed faster.
Can be subtle and thought-provoking.
Unique talent.
Are we sure the Holy City Zoo is where Neck of the Woods is today, and not the bar next door? I DJ regularly at Neck of the Woods, and the layout of the bar in that picture doesn’t look anything like the bottom floor of the Neck of the Woods, and instead looks like the one next door. I know 406 Clement is Neck of the Woods, but the bar in the picture, which used the be called Dirty Trix, then the Dogs Bollix, then the Other Place, looks much more like those places. Also, Robin Williams came to that bar late last year when they were doing a standup show and surprised everyone by doing a spontaneous show, which would make since if that is where he started. My friend Damon has a picture of himself with Robin, because he was the bouncer next door at NOTW.
Just curious, thought I should point this out and see if the information here is correct.
Also, a good friend of mine lived for many years in the house right across the street from Robin’s house, and ran into him all the time. I actually met him at the Cards and Comics Central before they moved to their current location about 7 years ago; he was buying comic books for his son, who I guess was there with him. I remember looking at comics on the wall, and vaguely noticing a shorter, very hair guy standing next to me with sunglasses on looking at the comics as well; it took me a moment to realize that yes, that was Robin WIlliams. RIP, Robin.
Very nice tribute to a San Francisco great. He will be missed by many.
@J – You are correct, it was 408 Clement which is now Side Bar (formerly Dirty Trix).
Sarah B.
I don’t recall ever crying this much over the loss of a celebrity. I knew of Robin from his youngest stand up dates and recognized his genius. I remember the tears he brought to me in “Dead Poet’s Society”. I recall meeting Jonathan Winters and remarking how much the two had in common……..the tears still flow when I hear the continuing news of his death…………may it all show that a man can appreciate the greatness of another man through their humility and desire to make people both laugh and cry in their work…………and in other people’s lives.
There were flowers outside of that bar yesterday for Robin.
My former co-worker’s grandson went to school with Zachary, Robin Williams, eldest son. She had nothing but positive things to say about him. She just thought he was the nicest, down to earth guy. No stuck up attitude there.
Robin use to pop by a comic book store we frequented on Geary between 21 and 22nd Avenue picking up goodies to share with his son. It was a delight to see him there and hear how genuine and approachable he really was in-person. Beyond all of his wonderful cinematic contributions he was truly inspiring as a comedian and all of the work he did helping our troops overseas.
We will remember his bright smiles, laughter and inspiring actions. Thank you Robin. Godbless.
People have such affectionate memories of Mork & Mindy but Williams quickly came to hate that role, felt trapped in it, and was happy to put it behind him when his career was secure enough to do so. When I first saw him perform a club act (at The Boarding House during its brief tenure on Columbus in North Beach) in 1979 he made it pretty clear that Mork was the bane of his creative life … and it was already obvious that the constraints of a prime time sitcom severely limited his actual scope of talent. Nevertheless that role had a positive impact on millions which is no doubt why it’s the main point of reference in so many online remembrances. How odd for artists that sometimes their least favorite work is remembered fondly while other projects dear to them landed with a relative thud. In his latter filmic career Robins wanted to explore his dark side, but none of those roles were well received. Allegedly he dreaded the financial necessity of a proposed sequel to Mrs. Doubtfire. I’ll always remember him best for his live performances and feel very fortunate to have seen so many of them over the years here in his favorite city.
One thing no one has mentioned, but everyone will remember is the giant topiary statues of dinosaurs that used to be in his backyard (SF house), peeking over the wall – shows a sweetness that everyone has remarked upon. Definitely used to see him around the ‘hood. I will also throw in that I saw him with his family at least once at the Wherehouse on Geary (now Chase ‘Private Client’). Everyone agrees he was ‘one of us’ – a true San Franciscan and even the embodiment of a San Franciscan, for a certain era – in a way both traditionally masculine and free spirited and open & ‘zany’ – not an archetype you encounter as frequently in other areas of the country, much less the world.
Alan – “unincorporated Tiburon” is the backside(North side) of Tiburon Peninsula…. his house is in Paradise Cay, a development there.
It’s strange, because I didn’t actually know where he had moved to, only that he was no longer living in the city. But I do occasionally bike the Paradise Loop, which goes right by that area and probably right by his house.
I was watching a stand-up routine of his last night on youttube…He was making fun of Sarah Palin:
“Sarah Palin says that she can see Russia from her house. Well, I can see San Quentin from my backyard, but that doesn’t mean I’m an expert on prison reform!”
I had the good fortune of meeting him when I was an extra in “Mrs. Doubtfire.” Genuinely nice guy…
Thanks Sarah, nicely done. A great man, he will be missed.
Thank you so much for paying tribute to Robin Williams, our neighbor and San Francisco’s court jester back in the day. We in the Richmond are so devastated by Robin’s death. Yes, he was a successful comic and Hollywood actor but we out here in the fog belt saw and experienced the down to earth, kind and generous guy. He touched our lives deeply. My deepest condolences to his wife, 3 children, family and close friends and colleague. There will never be another Robin Williams. What a gift he was to the Richmond District. I hope his spirit plays small tricks on us to let us know he’s still here in the ‘hood
Thank you so much for paying tribute to Robin Williams, our neighbor and San Francisco’s court jester back in the day. We in the Richmond are so devastated by Robin’s death. Yes, he was a successful comic and Hollywood actor but we out here in the fog belt saw and experienced the down to earth, kind and generous guy. He touched our lives deeply. My deepest condolences to his wife, 3 children, family and close friends and colleague. There will never be another Robin Williams. What a gift he was to the Richmond District. I hope his spirit plays small tricks on us to let us know he’s still here in the ‘hood.
The sky over the Outer Richmond was amazingly dark the morning after Robin Williams was found. It was the west side, mourning him, in every way it knew possible.
Here’s another local homily for the late, great Robin Williams.
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Robin-Williams-way-to-fight-pain-was-to-laugh-at-5693343.php
Peter or anyone else know where on Clement street this pic was taken?
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Buy4r-eIEAMpblb.jpg:large
@Azmgirl – I think it might be 5th and clement, northwest corner with his back against the produce market? Right down the block from where Holy City Zoo was.