Jeff Bridges On Robin Williams Death: ‘The Big Lebowski’ Remembers His ‘Fisher King’ Co-Protagonist And Friend

The New York City screening of "The Giver" was definitely a bitter sweet one. While the cast and crew celebrated the release of the film they also mourned the loss of beloved comedian and actor Robin Williams.

"It's very difficult for me to be here with all these emotions and feelings - wonderful, I must say, but as with many elements in life, there is an underbelly, and we're losing a dear, dear friend, Robin Williams," said Actor Jeff Bridges. "Such a brilliant human being. My heart goes out to his family."

Bridges and Williams starred in the 1991 film "The Fisher King," which earned Williams an Oscar nomination and both actors Golden Globe nods.

The very next day while promoting "The Giver" at a press conference in NYC at the JW Marriott Essex House Jeff Bridges started the event by giving a brief eulogy for Williams. "It reminded me of what The Giver and The Receiver might have felt," Bridges told the crowd.

“I remember pulling up to the Boathouse [in Central Park] where we had our party [for The Giver] and I’m sitting there with my wife, gathering myself and I look out of the window and I say, ‘What? Is that Robin? Is that his ghost? No! It’s Radioman,'” Jeff said. “And it brought back all of these wonderful feelings of what an amazing time we had together here in New York shooting The Fisher King.”

“…I felt Robin’s spirit as I’m feeling it here now in this room with us. Just before I came down I’m looking out my window to Central Park, my favorite part about New York, and I’m remember the last scene of me and Robin out there at four o’clock in the morning. Nude! Naked! And Robin’s just wild and free.”

after his comments about the late actor, Bridges said, “I just want to acknowledge the fullness of life, the joy and sadness that is in store for us all. I’m filled with both of these today as I was last night learning of my dear friend’s passing, Robin.”