Robin Williams Remembered Fondly In Boston
BOSTON (CBS) – Robin Williams will be remembered for many playing many, many characters, but his Academy Award-winning role as an empathetic therapist in the 1997 film "Good Will Hunting" left his mark on Boston.
Related: L Street Tavern Remembers Robin Williams
Most of it was shot in Cambridge and South Boston, but a famous scene from the movie with Matt Damon was filmed on a bench in the Public Garden on Boston Common.
That bench became a memorial to Williams Monday evening as word of his death spread across the world.
On the pavement nearby, some had scrawled lines from the film in chalk, such as "Sorry guys, I went to see about a girl," "It's not your fault," and "Your move chief."
Others left flowers and someone put empty beer bottles at the base of the bench.
"I'm just a little sad for Robin," one mourner told WBZ NewsRadio 1030 Tuesday. "Depression seems to be like a silent killer and it's a shame. He's a really good guy. He always made us laugh, but he was so sad inside."
Related: Clarke: 'We Were Lucky To Have Him As Long As We Did'
During an interview last year promoting his short-lived CBS series "The Crazy Ones" Williams told WBZ-TV's Paula Ebben he had pleasant memories from shooting the film.
"I had a great time doing 'Good Will Hunting' in Boston, in Southie. People in Southie were real sweet to me, " he said. "Especially the guys at the L Street Tavern."
At the end of the interview, Williams had a brief shout out for the city.
"Thank you Boston, take care of yah selves there."
For Boston Mayor Ray Flynn said Williams helped raise money for the homeless in Boston back in the 1980's.
"He came down to the Long Island Shelter, which is a hospital that I had just built, a shelter for homeless people in Boston, getting them off the freezing streets and he was phenomenal. He was just extraordinary, entertaining all the homeless people and the staff," he told WBZ-TV.
"There certainly has to be a special place in heaven for Robin Williams."
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, there is help available.
Visit Samaritanshope.org or call (877) 870-4673.
Watch The Park Bench Scene:
MORE LOCAL NEWS FROM CBS BOSTON