Zelda Williams Reveals Which of Her Late Father Robin’s Films Inspired Her Hollywood Career (Exclusive)

Posted: 3:47 PM PT, January 30, 2024

Zelda Williams has fond memories of visiting her late father, Robin Williams, on the set of his films when she was a little girl. It was a fantasy world for her, and she was bewildered to learn that everything was a profession and everyone was there to do a job. Later, as she grew older, Zelda was inspired by one of her father’s films to do what she does now.

The 34-year-old director took a walk down memory lane as she spoke to ET’s Ash Crossan as she recalled growing up under the spotlight that loomed over her late father, a brilliant actor and comedian who was tragically destroyed He died by suicide In August 2014, he was 63 years old.

“I was fascinated by it early on,” Zelda says when asked if she remembers the first set she ever visited. “When you’re young, I don’t think you realize it’s really a job; just like something fun to go and visit.”

As she grows older, Zelda remembers visiting her father on the set of the 1999 sci-fi comedy-drama. Bicentennial Mandirected by Chris Columbus.

“That was when I was old enough to really understand that there were a whole bunch of jobs you could do too,” Zelda says. “And that group was really beautiful. Chris Columbus runs a really great group and he’s such a nice human being that I think you wouldn’t walk into a place where he was nervous as well. So, it really gives you a false sense of security in our industry because then you go and say, ‘Oh, he’s not there anymore.’ “It’s possible to make any of these things anymore.” Such huge sets.

Zelda’s Hollywood career began on the small screen, appearing in the 1994 TV movie In search of Dr. Seuss. She will also continue to lend her voice Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Before the roles go down Criminal Minds And Jane the Virgin, among other things. She eventually directed music videos and short comedies for 2018 Shrimp.

She is now making her first directorial experience with the upcoming American horror comedy film, Lisa FrankensteinStarring Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, Lisa Soberano, Henry Eikenberry, Joe Crist, and Carla Gugino. Set in 1989, the film follows gothic teen Lisa Swallows (Newton), who brings back the body of Handsome (Sprouse) from the dead.

Lisa Frankenstein It hits theaters on February 9.

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