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Norm Macdonald recalls 'funniest man in the world,' Robin Williams

Fans of Robin Williams know just how amazing he was when the cameras were rolling or when he stood before a live audience. But what they might not know is that he could be just as great when there was no crowd to entertain.Following the death of the legendary star, friend and fellow funnyman Norm Macdonald made sure everyone knew the scope of Williams' talent and generosity as he took to Twitter t
Image: Norm Macdonald
Norm MacDonald tweeted a sentimental tribute to friend and comedy inspiration Robin Williams.Kevin Winter / Today
By Ree Hines

Fans of Robin Williams know just how amazing he was when the cameras were rolling or when he stood before a live audience. But what they might not know is that he could be just as great when there was no crowd to entertain.

Following the death of the legendary star, friend and fellow funnyman Norm Macdonald made sure everyone knew the scope of Williams' talent and generosity as he took to Twitter to share the touching story of their first meeting. 

It+was+my+first+stand-up+appearance+on+Letterman+and+I+had+to+follow+the+funniest+man+in+the+world.+#RIPRobinWilliams

—+Norm+Macdonald+(@normmacdonald)+August+12,+2014+

I+was+a+punk+kid+from+rural+Ontario+and+I+was+in+my+dressing+room,+terrified.+#RIPRobinWilliams

—+Norm+Macdonald+(@normmacdonald)+August+12,+2014+

I+was+on+the+phone+to+a+friend+back+home+when+the+funniest+man+in+the+world+ambled+by.+#RIPRobinWilliams

—+Norm+Macdonald+(@normmacdonald)+August+12,+2014+

There+was+no+one+else+on+the+floor.+In+shock,+I+told+my+friend+who+just+walked+by.+Only+the+funniest+man+in+the+world.+#RIPRobinWilliams

—+Norm+Macdonald+(@normmacdonald)+August+12,+2014+

I+guess+he+heard+me+say+his+name,+cause+in+an+instant+he+was+at+my+side.+#RIPRobinWilliams

—+Norm+Macdonald+(@normmacdonald)+August+12,+2014+

He+was+a+jewish+tailor,+taking+my+measurements.+He+went+down+on+his+knees,+asked+which+way+I+dressed.+#RIPRobinWilliams

—+Norm+Macdonald+(@normmacdonald)+August+12,+2014+

The tweets described the veteran comedian going to great efforts to calm the then-young Macdonald and even entertaining Macdonald's friends from a distance.

Related story: Robin Williams' death leaves fellow stars, comics 'heartbroken'

I+told+my+friend+on+the+phone+that+the+funniest+man+in+the+world+was+on+his+knees+before+me,+measuring+my+inseam.+#RIPRobinWilliams

—+Norm+Macdonald+(@normmacdonald)+August+12,+2014+

My+friend+didn't+believe+me+so+I+said,+"Could+you+talk+to+my+friend,+sir.+#RIPRobinWilliams

—+Norm+Macdonald+(@normmacdonald)+August+12,+2014+

The+funniest+man+in+the+world+took+the+phone+and+for+ten+minutes+took+my+friend's+chinese+food+order.+#RIPRobinWilliams

—+Norm+Macdonald+(@normmacdonald)+August+12,+2014+

I+laughed+and+laughed+and+it+was+like+I+was+in+a+dream+because+no+one+else+was+there.+No+one.+#RIPRobinWilliams

—+Norm+Macdonald+(@normmacdonald)+August+12,+2014+

The+place+was+out+of+Moo+Shoo+Pork,+and+there+was+nothing+he+could+do+about+it.+#RIPRobinWilliams

—+Norm+Macdonald+(@normmacdonald)+August+12,+2014+

He+angrily+hung+up+on+my+friend+and+I+was+about+to+thank+him+when+he+said+I+hadn't+even+tried+the+jacket+on.+#RIPRobinWilliams

—+Norm+Macdonald+(@normmacdonald)+August+12,+2014+

Punctuating each installment with the hashtag #RIPRobinWilliams, Macdonald went on to describe just how far Williams took the kind bit.

Related story: Meryl Streep says, 'It's hard to imagine unstoppable energy stopped'

Then+the+funniest+man+on+earth+dressed+me,+a+complete+stranger,+and+i+remember+he+ended+with+a+windsor+knot.+#RIPRobinWilliams

—+Norm+Macdonald+(@normmacdonald)+August+12,+2014+

He+spoke+mostly+yiddish,+but+when+he+finished+he+was+happy+with+his+job+and+turned+me+to+a+mirror+to+present+myself+to+me.#RIPRobinWilliams

—+Norm+Macdonald+(@normmacdonald)+August+12,+2014+

No+one+witnessed+any+of+this.+No+one.+#RIPRobinWilliams

—+Norm+Macdonald+(@normmacdonald)+August+12,+2014+

The+funniest+man+alive+was+in+my+dressing+room+a+good+half-hour+and+was+far+funnier+than+the+set+I+had+to+do+soon.#RIPRobinWilliams

—+Norm+Macdonald+(@normmacdonald)+August+12,+2014+

After such an amazing exchange, Macdonald was sad to lose the company of Williams — both then and now.

When+he+left+my+dressing+room,+I+felt+alone.+As+alone+as+I+ever+remember+feeling.+#RIPRobinWilliams

—+Norm+Macdonald+(@normmacdonald)+August+12,+2014+

Until+today.+#RIPRobinWilliams

—+Norm+Macdonald+(@normmacdonald)+August+12,+2014+

Unacceptable.+#RIPRobinWilliams

—+Norm+Macdonald+(@normmacdonald)+August+12,+2014+


Robin Williams, 1951-2014
ABC

Slideshow  14 photos

Robin Williams, 1951-2014

"Na-nu Na-nu" and "O Captain, my Captain": Robin Williams will best be remembered by the characters he played and lines he delivered.

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