Ben Affleck And Matt Damon To Be Honoured With Robin Williams Legacy Award

Some collaborations in Hollywood don’t just stay on screen, they turn into lifelong bonds. And every once in a while, those bonds come full circle in the most emotional way. That’s exactly what’s about to happen with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, as they prepare to receive a special honour tied to someone who changed their lives forever.

The two actors, who famously co-wrote and starred in Good Will Hunting, will be honoured with the Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter Award. The recognition comes as a tribute to their connection with the late Robin Williams, who played a pivotal role in their early careers.

The award will be presented at the Revels & Revelations Celebration, a fundraising event organised by Bring Change to Mind, the nonprofit founded

by actor Glenn Close. The event is scheduled to take place on April 27 at the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture in San Francisco.

Making the moment even more personal, the award will be handed over by Williams’ children — Zak, Zelda and Cody Williams. The honour recognises individuals whose work highlights “their impact and the power of storytelling and connection to spark real change.”

Affleck and Damon, reflecting on the recognition, shared a joint statement with The Hollywood Reporter. “Robin wasn’t just someone we admired. He made our dreams come true. We owe everything to him. He said yes to our movie and we got it made. Receiving the Legacy of Laughter Award, created in honor of Robin Williams, is incredibly 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 that means everything to us,” the duo said.

Their association with Williams goes back to Good Will Hunting, directed by Gus Van Sant, which not only earned them an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay but also won Williams an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. The film remains a defining moment in their careers.

Recalling those early days, Damon had earlier shared an emotional memory in an interview with E!. “It was the very first day of shooting and Ben and I went to the set. We weren’t working that day and we just saw them rehearse and we were kind of sitting off to the side of the camera,” he said. “By the time they said, ‘Action,’ tears were just falling down my face. I couldn’t believe it. I was just looking at Robin start to speak and say these words that Ben and I had just worked on for five years.”

He added, “After the scene ended, [Robin] came over to us and he saw us. He put his hand on our head and just said, you know, ‘It’s not a fluke. You guys really did this. You really did it.’”

Following Williams’ death in 2014, both actors paid heartfelt tributes. Affleck had written, “Thanks chief — for your friendship and for what you gave the world,” while Damon said, “Robin brought so much joy into my life and I will carry that joy with me forever,” Damon said in a statement. “He was such a beautiful man. I was lucky to know him and I will never, ever forget him.”