As the world mourns American comedian Robin Williams, a Thai costar from one of his most successful films remembered him for his humanity.
“He was a together, down-to-earth man, yet serious and sensitive,” Chintara Sukapatana said after learning of his death.
Chintara played “Trinh,” William’s Vietnamese love interest in 1987’s “Good Morning, Vietnam.”
Set during the Vietnamese-American war, the comedy film told the story of Airman 2nd Class Adrian Cronauer (Williams), who gained popularity working as an army radio DJ in Saigon. Given that United States’ icy relations with Hanoi in the ‘80s, the movie was mostly filmed in Bangkok.
“When I worked with him, he was already famous. Everyone knew him as Robin Williams,” the 49-year-old actress recalled. “I was a nobody and had just started working in the film industry. He said his lines with me and helped me. He was a sweetheart on the set. When he came into the room, he would make everyone laugh.”
When asked about his death, Chintara said she couldn’t believe Williams took his life.
“When I found out he committed suicide, I was very shocked,” Chintara told Bangkokbiznews. “He was such a funny man, and I guess that was just the outside. I never knew him that well, but I am saddened that a man who has made people laugh for so long would end his life like this.”
Chintara then recounted the moment she saw Williams’ sensitivity during the film’s production.
“There was one scene we had to say goodbye. He said I did well and warned me that he was sensitive,” Chintara said. “When I cried on camera, he cried too.”
Williams, 63, was pronounced dead Monday at his home in northern California in an apparent suicide.
Photo: Touchstone Pictures
