Robin Williams’ Daughter, Zelda, Begs Fans to Stop Sending Her ‘Disgusting’ AI Versions of Her Dad
Fans have done many things to honor Robin Williams, who left them shocked and heartbroken with his death in 2014. Supporters donated to mental health organizations in the comedian‘s honor, named their pets and children after him, and placed flowers at the Boston park bench where he filmed Good Will Hunting. Williams’ family likely appreciates these respectful tributes. However, there’s a new kind of homage that his daughter, Zelda, is begging fans to stop doing.
Robin Williams’ daughter, Zelda, says stop with the ‘disgusting’ AI
Zelda Williams is the daughter of the late Robin Williams. Named after the video game princess, the actress and director has appeared in films and TV shows like Dead of Summer and Teen Wolf. Beyond acting, Zelda is an outspoken advocate for mental health and creative storytelling, hence her impassioned plea regarding AI.
The 36-year-old posted two stories on Instagram, begging fans to quit sending her AI versions of Robin. She began, “Please, just stop sending me AI videos of Dad. Stop believing I wanna see it or that I’ll understand, I don’t and I won’t.” Zelda said that if fans have any “decency,” then they’ll stop using his likeness in AI-generated content. “It’s a waste of time and energy, and believe me, it’s NOT what he’d want.”
Zelda explained that the legacies of real people should not be condensed down to someone who “vaguely looks and sounds like them.” She continued, “You’re not making art, you’re making disgusting, over-processed hotdogs out of the lives of human beings, out of the history of art and music.” The House of D actress said that interacting with AI was the equivalent of “taking in the Human Centipede of content,” ending her rant with “gross.”
It would be very upsetting to receive fake videos of a family member who has tragically died. Zelda’s message indicated that even well-meaning fans are sending her AI-generated videos of Robin, something she clearly condemns.
Robin Williams was famously protective of his voice and likeness
Robin Williams died on August 11, 2014, at the age of 63. Initially, his death by suicide was attributed to depression. Later, however, his widow, Susan Schneider Williams, revealed that the Aladdin star had been unknowingly suffering from Lewy body dementia. This aggressive and little-understood neurological disease causes severe mood changes, hallucinations, anxiety, cognitive decline, and physical symptoms similar to Parkinson’s. Doctors later described his case as one of the worst they had ever seen, helping explain the sudden, overwhelming struggles he experienced in his final months.
The Oscar-winning actor’s estate placed restrictions on the commercial use of his image for 25 years after his death. The move was widely seen as protecting Robin from posthumous exploitation — something highly relevant to today’s AI debates. He also valued authenticity and the human spark in comedy and performance, traits that many argue AI can’t replicate.
That said, Robin was also deeply curious, tech-savvy, and playful. The Mrs. Doubtfire star loved video games, gadgets, and experimenting with new forms of storytelling. He would likely have been fascinated by AI’s potential in education and entertainment. But he would almost certainly have opposed its misuse, especially when it comes to exploiting his likeness without consent.
