Affleck and Damon to Receive Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter Award from His Children

Key facts

• Ben Affleck and Matt Damon will receive the 9th Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter Award on April 27.
• The award will be presented by Robin Williams' children: Zak, Zelda, and Cody Williams.
• The ceremony is part of Bring Change to Mind's Revels & Revelations Celebration at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture.
• Bring Change to Mind was founded by Glenn Close in 2010 to end stigma around mental illness.
• The event also honors philanthropist Pam Baer with the Champion of Change Award.
• The gala is sold out, supported by lead sponsor AE Foundation.
• Previous recipients of the award include Amy Poehler and Ryan Reynolds.
• Affleck and Damon won an Oscar for writing 'Good Will Hunting,' which starred Williams.

A Night of Legacy and Laughter

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon will reunite on April 27 to accept the Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter Award, presented by the late actor's children, Zak, Zelda, and Cody Williams. The honor, bestowed by Glenn Close's nonprofit Bring Change to Mind, recognizes the duo's impact on storytelling and mental health advocacy. The ceremony will take place at the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture in San Francisco, as part of the organization's Revels & Revelations Celebration.

The Bond Forged on 'Good Will Hunting'

Affleck and Damon first worked with Robin Williams on Gus Van Sant's 1997 film 'Good Will Hunting,' which earned them an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and Williams an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Damon recalled the first day of shooting, watching Williams rehearse lines they had labored over for five years. 'By the time they said, “Action,” tears were just falling down my face,' Damon told E! News. After the scene, Williams approached them, placed a hand on their heads, and said, 'It's not a fluke. You guys really did this. You really did it.'

A Joint Statement of Gratitude

In a joint statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Affleck and Damon expressed profound gratitude. 'Robin wasn’t just someone we admired. He made our dreams come true. We owe everything to him. He said yes to our movie and we got it made,' they said. 'Receiving the Legacy of Laughter Award, created in honor of Robin Williams, is incredibly meaningful to us. His legacy isn’t just about his talent and how much he made the world laugh — it’s about how deeply he cared. This honor carries his spirit, and that means everything to us.'

Bring Change to Mind's 15-Year Mission

Founded by Glenn Close in 2010, Bring Change to Mind is a national organization dedicated to ending the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness. The cause is personal for Close: her sister, Jessie, lives with bipolar disorder, and her nephew, Calen, lives with schizoaffective disorder. The Revels & Revelations Celebration marks 15 years of impact and a decade of student programming. The event, already sold out, is supported by lead sponsor AE Foundation and other donations.

Williams' Enduring Influence

Robin Williams died by suicide at age 63 on August 11, 2014. His work on 'Good Will Hunting' left a lasting imprint on Affleck and Damon. After his passing, Affleck wrote on social media, 'Thanks chief — for your friendship and for what you gave the world.' Damon stated, 'Robin brought so much joy into my life and I will carry that joy with me forever. He was such a beautiful man. I was lucky to know him and I will never, ever forget him.'

What Comes Next for the Duo

Affleck and Damon most recently collaborated on the Netflix film 'The Rip.' Damon is set to star in Christopher Nolan's upcoming epic 'The Odyssey.' Meanwhile, a new Jason Bourne film remains possible, but Damon's return hinges on a key element yet to be disclosed. The Legacy of Laughter Award, previously given to Amy Poehler and Ryan Reynolds, underscores the pair's lasting contribution to entertainment and mental health awareness.

The bottom line

• Affleck and Damon will receive the Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter Award on April 27 in San Francisco.
• The award is presented by Williams' children and honors the duo's impact on storytelling and mental health.
• The event is part of Bring Change to Mind's 15th anniversary celebration, founded by Glenn Close.
• Williams' mentorship on 'Good Will Hunting' profoundly shaped Affleck and Damon's careers.
• The gala is sold out, with proceeds supporting mental health advocacy for teens and adults.
• Damon's next role is in Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey,' while Affleck and Damon continue to collaborate.