'Hook's' Lost Boys return to Neverland for a reunion

Dante Basco was just 16-years old when he played Rufio opposite Robin Williams' Peter Pan.

REMEMBER RUFIO and the Lost Boys from the 1991 movie Hook?

They got together recently to mark the film's upcoming 25th anniversary and the second anniversary of the death of Robin Williams, who played Peter Pan in  the Steven Spielberg directed Hook, one of the most beloved films for those who grew up in the 1990's.

A bit older, a bit heavier, it was as if they never grew up, which was the allure of Neverland. They easily slipped into their characters for a photo shoot.

Rufio's iconic character was played by Filipino/American actor Dante Basco. He was joined by the Lost Boys: Ryan J. Francis, Raushan Hammond, Isaiah Robinson, Thomas Tulak, Brett Willis, Ahmad Stoner, Bo Gheorghe, Bryan Willis and James Madio.

During the photo shoot, they took time to remember Williams, who died Aug. 11 two years ago.

“I think for all of us [Robin’s death] was the death of our childhood,” Basco told Entertainment Tonight. “There’s sadness there, also there’s a lot of space to kind of celebrate one of the most legendary artists of our time. … [Robin] really taught me at a young age what it means to be a star, what it means to be a leader on a set. Everything you want Robin Williams to be he delivered in spades.”

Basco's Rufio captured the hearts of many young girls by breaking the stereotype of Asian/American males. In an interview with news.com.au, Basco said he still gets recognized for his breakout role.

"Being Asian/American, a lot of Asian/American guys come up to me who are in interracial relationships and they tell me, ‘Growing up my partner had a big crush on you and so you’re probably one of the reasons why she married me, so thank you.’”

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Robin Williams' daughter issues message of hope against depression

Zelda and her father, the late Robin Williams.

ZELDA WILLIAMS, The late Robin Williams’ 26-year-old daughter posted an inspiring message to Instagram, asking people who suffer from depression to “hold on to the possibility of hope.”
“I live my sadness every day, but I don’t resent it anymore,” Williams said. “Instead, I do it now so that the wonderful moments of joy I do find are not in order to forget, but to inhabit and enjoy for their own sake. It’s not easy. In fact, I’d say it takes much more effort to consciously do than it does to just stay sad, but with all my heart, I cannot tell you how worth it it is.”

instagram.com

She took the Instagram photo of the moon shining over a lake to accompany her post. The post reads in full:

Moonrise on the lake I spent this night shivering and laughing under a clear, cold sky full of stars with people I love just to witness something beautiful. We mooned the moon and laughed ourselves hoarse, and I’m so incredibly grateful for every silly second. I came to a realization this year that I feel compelled to share here, for whomsoever may need it: Avoiding fear, sadness or anger is not the same thing as being happy. I live my sadness every day, but I don’t resent it anymore. Instead, I do it now so that the wonderful moments of joy I do find are not in order to forget, but to inhabit and enjoy for their own sake. It’s not easy. In fact, I’d say it takes much more effort to consciously do than it does to just stay sad, but with all my heart, I cannot tell you how worth it it is. And for those suffering from depression, I know how dark and endless that tunnel can feel, but if happiness seems impossible to find, please hold on to the possibility of hope, faint though it may be. Because I promise you, there’re enough nights under the same yellow moon for all of us to share, no matter how or when you find your way there.

The mother of Zelda and her brother Cody is Marsha Garces, a Filipina American, who was the comedian's second wife. 

Williams killed himself on August 11, 2014, after suffering from depression for many years. He had recently been diagnosed with the early stages of Parkinson's disease, said his widow, Susan Williams, William's third wife.

Williams' three children, Zelda, Cody and Zak Williams (Zak is the oldest sibling from the comedian's first marriage) have been locked in a legal tussle with their stepmother over the late comedian's estate.

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World Series: The Asian-American angle

Zelda and Cody Williams watch their brother Zak throw out the first pitch of Game 5 of the
2014 World Series in San Francisco at AT&T Park.

THE CHILDREN of the late Robin Williams threw out the first pitch of Game 5 of the 2014 World Series between the Kansas City Royals and the San Francisco Giants.

The comedian was a big Giants fan since he lived in the Bay Area and was often seen at the ball park with his good friend, fellow comedian Billy Crystal.

Williams second wife, Marsha Garces, was Filipino American, with whom he had two children, Zelda and Cody.

Crystal caught the ball thrown by Cody Williams while his brother and sister watched.

After Crystal caught the ball, he directed the fans' attention to the scoreboard where a video of Williams shouting out the iconic, "Pl-a-a-ay Ball!" to start the game.

The tribute ended with the final video images of Williams, chanting "Let's Go Giants!" while 

twirling an orange towel then hugging mascot Lou Seal. 

A file photo of the late comedian Robin Williams and his family.

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10/26/14: The Giants honor Robin Williams as his children Zelda, Zak and Cody take part in the first pitch with Billy Crystal before Game 5

Final Robin Williams Tribute

A LOT OF PEOPLE have said some really moving things about Robin Williams and undoubtedly, there will be more. If there is one video you watch today, let it be this one. The words are from Jack, the visuals from some of Robin Williams movies. There's really not any more I can add.

I've added on the vlog by actor Dante Basco, a San Francisco Bay Area native, who played the lead Lost Boy, Rufio, in the Robin Williams movie "Hook." 

Robin Williams, RIP

O'Captain, my captain ... you live on ...

ROBIN WILLIAMS committed suicide yesterday and television and the twitter verse is going crazy with tributes and fond memories. He was only 63.

I never met him, but through his work, he was often in my living room on television. He became part of the family, the crazy uncle who was always making us laugh.

He was a brilliant, hilarious man whose comedic frenzy hid the demons he had inside. Like all true great artists he made an impact on peoples' lives through his roles and insights interspersed throughout his manic performances.

And what's the angle? Why am I mentioning him in this blog? Well ...
There's always an angle.

William's second wife is Marsha Garces, a Filipina-American, with whom he had two hapa children, Zelda and Cody. His oldest son, Zachary, is from his first marriage with Valerie Velardi and he has not yet released a statement. 

Marsha and Robin were together for 20 years, the longest of his three marriages. It was through their philanthropic foundation -- the Windfall Foundation -- where Williams donated his time and money to for its good work.

She divorced him in 2010 after another one of his relapses. Her silence at this time speaks volumes about the pain she must be going through.

(THE OTHER CONNECTIONS: And there is Dante Basco who was in the film "Hook," and played Rufio alongside Williams' Peter Pan; and Lea Salonga provided the singing voice for Jasmine in the animated feature, "Aladdin.")

For my daughters' generation, who went through their formative years in the 80's, he is remembered as Mrs. Doubtfire and English teacher John Keating in the "Dead Poets Society."

Good films, like good all good art, have the ability to transform lives when a scene, a quote or an idea hits you in the stomach, you catch your breath, feel the impact, ruminate about it, swirl it, toss it around, place it inside out and upside down, think about it some more - and then you say, "A-ha!."

And then ... and then ... you remember it for the rest of your life.

For me, it was "To Kill A Mockingbird" with Gregory Peck, who played a southern lawyer defending a black man. For those who grew up in the 80s, it might have been this scene from the Dead Poets Society: 

And while we're talking about Williams and Walt Whitman, for those young people growing up today, it might be this commercial in which he provides the voiceover. It may be a commercial for a product, but for me, it was the message, the words, the idea, the question: 

What verse will you contribute?