Andrew Cartwright on Working with Robin Williams
Andrew Cartwright worked with one of Hollywood’s best Robin Williams on the set of What Dreams May Come, Patch Adams, and Bicentennial Man, said working with him was a memorable moment in his acting career.
Andrew Cartwright has opened up about his time spent with Robin Williams.
As a warrior in Hell, Andrew Cartwright had to try and kill Robin Williams’ character, Chris as he journey’s to save his wife Annie, played by Annabella Sciorra.
With the New York Times calling the film, “One of the most elaborate metaphysical love stories ever tackled by Hollywood.”
The particular scene included smoke, pyrotechnics, and water, marks a unique set that took many hours to accomplish.
“I had never met Robin Williams prior to filming that scene, so it was a little awkward at first, but he just kept making me laugh. He told so many jokes until it was painful 18 hours stand up, no kidding,” recalls Cartwright while laughing.
The long hours of filming were made bearable with Williams’ consistent positive energy.
“He was so funny and he was able to stay funny for 18 hours,” reminiscences Cartwright.
That role earned Andrew Cartwright a spot in the Screen Actor’s Guild which is a tough accomplishment to achieve for many actors.
Reaching that tough achievement alongside a Hollywood legend was monumental for an actor.
No other role was as meaningful than being on the set to witness one of Robin Williams’ greatest pieces than on the set of Patch Adams.
“Patch Adams” opens about mental health as we follow Hunter “Patch” Adams becoming a doctor and opening his own hospital.
Andrew Cartwright played the role of the orderly in the hospital helping with the patients where he also met Philip Seymour Hoffman for the first time.
Robin Williams utilizes his comedic personality in which he is most famously known for to really embrace the character of “Patch” as he uses laughter to brighten the patients within the hospital.
During his time on set, Robin Williams received his first academy award with his role in Good Will Hunting.
This pivotal occasion brought many tears for the crew of Patch Adams as Williams returned to set following his win.
“We all knew how much it meant for Robin to receive his first Academy award so we all got really emotional when he returned,” recalls Cartwright.
While this second role working was memorable to witness his achievement in winning, the third role working with him Cartwright recalls, “witnessing the deepest side of Williams.”
In the film, “Bicentennial Man”, the story follows a robot, played by Robin Williams, that was purchased to do menial household tasks but eventually starts showing human emotions.
Andrew Cartwright was cast to play an Executive in the film and recalls that this film was the role where he really got to know more about Williams.
Cartwright said, “He spent time with me to understand what really went on in Hollywood. I remember he was honestly disgusted with how fake it all was in order to push or advertise a movie’s.”
Cartwright recalls a conversation with Williams where he discusses all the celebrities from a tabloid Williams had been looking at.
Cartwright recalls, “Having worked with multiple A-list actors before, it was unusual to see Williams always so concerned about everyone else. I had never witnessed such a genuine person in Hollywood. Williams didn’t ever say no. I watched Williams be so generous to everyone put them before himself. Williams was selfless, always giving, connecting, and reaching into your heart.”
Working alongside Hollywood’s greatest, was one accomplishment Andrew Cartwright treasures.