Great news!!!

I just learned that Robin Williams – one of my favorite actors and comedians – made an impromptu, stand-up appearance at 142 Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley, California on Tuesday night. It was Williams’ first public performance since undergoing double heart valve surgery on March 13, 2009.

Robin Williams – Actor, Comedian, Heart Valve Surgery Patient

During the four-hour operation, Dr. Marc Gillinov, from The Cleveland Clinic ^[1] repaired his mitral valve and replaced his aortic valve ^[2].

Although Williams was not expected to perform, he could not resist the opportunity to get back on stage. “We expected him to just watch,” said Lucy Mercer, the theater’s founder and artistic director. “He’s still fragile, obviously.” 

“You know I’m a whore for an audience,” Williams told the packed house.

The 57-year-old comedian is known to be a bundle of sweaty energy while performing, but this time fans became concerned when he appeared to be laboring even harder than usual.

During his impromptu stand-up, Williams acknowledged that he had selected a cow valve for his heart valve replacement ^[3]. According to reports, a member of the audience asked Williams if he craved different foods now that he was “part cow”. The Academy Award winner responded with, “Well… I’m grazing more.”

At several points during the 30-minute set, Williams was remarkably candid, talking about his surgery, his doctors and nurses, dealing with pain ^[4], and other intimate matters.

After the routine, Williams said, “I needed that.”

Keep on tickin’ Robin!