Robin Williams was the brightest star, says actor Billy Crystal

Billy Crystal paid an emotional tribute to Robin Williams at the 2014 Emmy Awards on Monday, saying that he was “the greatest friend you could ever imagine”.

After the ceremony’s in memoriam segment, he appeared on stage to honour Williams, who was found hanged in his home near San Francisco on August 11.

“He made us laugh, big time,” said Crystal in a moving speech in which he recalled family gatherings, ball games and nights on stage together.

“I used to think if I could put a saddle on him and stay on him for eight seconds, I was going to do okay,” said Crystal.

“It’s very hard to talk about him in the past because he was so present in all of our lives. He was the brightest star in the comedy galaxy.”

Crystal concluded by reflecting on the eternal glow that Williams will give to people. “And you’ll think to yourself, ‘Robin Williams, what a concept’,” he said.