Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal get choked up over ‘brother’ Robin Williams at Kennedy Center Honors

nypost.com:

first gave a tribute to the comedian at the event, before honoring the “When Harry Met Sally” star, 75.“I want to acknowledge the person who should also be standing here with me is our brother Robin,” she said as she got choked up.She then pointed to an empty space next to her where Williams should have been.The “Ghost” actress then gave a sweet speech about Crystal, calling him her family.“You’re my big brother, and you have no idea what an honor it is to see you get your due,” she said. “I love you.

You’re a mensch. You’re a national treasure. National treasure. Billy, congratulations.”Earlier this month, Crystal opened up about the late “Good Will Hunting” actor when the ceremony was pre-taped.“I’m really feeling I’m missing my friend Robin tonight, very much so, because of all of what we did together,” he told reporters at the time.He added: “I know that he would be here, and he is.

So it’s special, and a lot of feelings for me tonight.”Williams died by suicide on Aug. 11, 2014, after battling anxiety, depression and Parkinson’s disease.

His autopsy revealed he had Lewy Body Dementia. He was 63. Crystal and Goldberg went on to deliver emotional speeches at his funeral.The trio often worked together through the years, notably with Comic Relief, a non-profit charity organization that helps raise funds for those in need.Crystal and Williams also appeared together in Father’s Day (1997) and Deconstructing Harry (1997), and supported Goldberg when she was awarded the Mark Twain Prize in 2001.In 2007, Crystal earned the same accolade, with Williams and Goldberg being by his side when he won.At the 2014 Emmy Awards, Crystal memorialized his late friend with a moving tribute.“He made us laugh hard.