Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have won awards separately and together — most notably an Oscar for writing Goodwill fishing – And they will reunite for another honor next week in honor of Robin Williams.
The duo starred opposite the late legend in Gus Van Sant’s 1997 film, which also earned them an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. They will make the trip to San Francisco to receive their ninth Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter Award presented by Glenn Close’s nonprofit, Bring Change to Mind, at the organization’s Revels & Revelations celebration. The fundraiser is scheduled to take place at the Fort Mason Arts and Cultural Center on April 27.
Leading up to the special night, Affleck and Damon will receive the Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter Award from Robin’s children, Zack, Zelda and Cody Williams. It is an honor designed to recognize “their influence and the power of storytelling and connection to create real change.”
Affleck and Damon also issued a joint statement to Hollywood Reporter About the news and their friend. “Robin was not just someone we admired. He made our dreams come true. We owe him everything. He said yes to our film and we made it. Receiving the Legacy of Laughter Award, created in Robin Williams’ honor, is so 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 it means everything to us,” the duo said.
The event marks a landmark moment for Bring Change to Mind as it celebrates 15 years of impact and a decade of guiding student programs, and will also honor philanthropist Pam Beyer with the Champion of Change Award to recognize her leadership in promoting mental health awareness. This event is supported by title sponsor American Eagle Foundation, and is also supported by donations from individuals, foundations and corporations. According to official details, it has already been sold out.
Founded by Close in 2010, BC2M is a national organization dedicated to ending the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness by working with leading scientists to make a difference in the lives of teens and adults. The reason is personal for Close, as her sister Jessie lives with bipolar disorder and her nephew Callen lives with schizoaffective disorder. The Revels & Revelations celebration was organized as a “powerful night of storytelling, celebration and impact” by bringing together advocates, partners and community members under a shared mission to ensure every young person feels “seen, supported and empowered” to speak openly about mental health.
Williams died by suicide at the age of 63 on August 11, 2014. His work with the duo was in Goodwill hunting She left a lasting impact.
“It was the first day of filming and Ben and I went to the set. We weren’t working that day and we saw them rehearsing and we were sitting next to the camera,” Damon previously said. E! “By the time they said ‘Action,’ I had tears streaming down my face. I couldn’t believe it. I was looking at Robin starting to speak and saying these words that Ben and I had just worked on for five years.”
He continued: “After the scene ends… [Robin] He came to us and saw us. He put his hand on our heads and just said, “It’s not a coincidence.” You guys really did this. “You really did it.”
After his death, they both paid tribute. “Thank you, Boss, for your friendship and for what you have given the world,” Affleck shared on social media at the time. “Robin has brought so much happiness into my life and I will carry that happiness with me forever,” Damon said in a statement. “He was a lovely man. I was lucky to know him and I will never forget him.”
Previous winners of the Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter Award include Amy Poehler and Ryan Reynolds. Affleck and Damon recently collaborated Rupture For Netflix. Next Damon stars Christopher Nolan Odyssey.
