As shared on X (formerly Twitter) byVideo Game History,Robin Williams appeared in a 2011 print ad forSkyward Swordalongside his daughter Zelda, named for the titular princess. Williams can be seen using a Wii Remote and Nunchuk to assume a pose as if drawing a bow, while the caption reads, “Fans since day one.”
The ad referencesWilliams' highly publicized enjoyment ofThe Legend of Zeldaseries, which landed it many celebrity endorsements throughout its run. Particularly during the 3DS and Wii U eras, both Robin and Zelda Williams practically became spokespeople for the series, in an ad campaign fondly remembered by fans of all three.
Robin Williams Has A Long History With The Zelda Series
“Fans Since Day One”
Even before naming his daughter after the title character,Williams had a long and well-documented fondness forThe Legend of Zeldafranchise. According to an article inVariety, it was on a 2009 episode ofLate Night with Jimmy Fallonthat Williams first discussed his appreciation for the series publicly. He claimed to have become hooked on one of the earliestZeldagames, playing it for hours on “one of the first Nintendo systems.”
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The partnership became official whenRobin and Zelda Williams appeared in a pre-release ad forOcarina of Time 3D, a launch title for the 3DS. They later returned to announce the release ofFour Swords Anniversary Editionas a free piece of DSiWare to celebrate the series' 25th anniversary. When these ads proved popular, they reprised their roles in a series of ads forSkyward Sword, as in the poster seen above.
That was the final series of ads Robin Williams starred in for Nintendo, prior to his sudden passing in 2014. On X, many fans took the opportunity to remember his body of work, including these ads, which users like@AmethystPreeceoffered high praise for. As much as theZeldaseries influenced him,many claim that Williams' influence on theZeldaseries can still be felt, asan NPC inBreath of the Wildis commonly thought to resemble him.
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Zelda Brings Us Together
Things like this tend to evoke emotional responses from players becausethey feel a connection to Williams due to their shared passion. As different as your life or mine might be from international superstar Robin Williams', if nothing else, we share an interest in the same video game.
