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Oscar host Billy Crystal, center, and presenter Robin Williams, right, joked around after a writers' meeting for the 76th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles in Feb. 2004. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)
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Billy Crystal, left speechless by Robin Williams’ death, paid tribute to his great friend and comedy brother at the Emmy Awards, movingly remembering him as "the greatest friend you could ever imagine."
Following the Emmy’s in memoriam segment Monday night, Crystal appeared on stage at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre to honor Williams, who was found dead in his Northern California home on Aug. 11. A luminous image of the late comedian hovered overhead.
"He made us laugh, big time," said Crystal.
After Williams’ apparent suicide, Crystal simply wrote on Twitter of his longtime friend and Comic Relief co-host: "No words."
But Crystal found moving words to remember Williams on Monday, recalling family gatherings, ballgames 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 gonna do OK," said Crystal.
"It’s very hard to talk about him in the past because he was so present in all of our lives," Crystal continued. "He was the brightest star in the comedy galaxy."
Crystal concluded by reflecting on the eternal glow Williams would continue to give off, long after he was gone.
"And you’ll think to yourself: Robin Williams, what a concept."
