Tributes have been pouring in from around the world in the wake of actor Robin Williams’ tragic death earlier this week.
One amazing story that has emerged is that of photographer Daniel Sorine, who unknowingly photographed Williams in disguise as a mime 40 years ago in New York City’s Central Park.
In an interview with PetaPixel, Sorine said he was a young and broke photographer back in those days, and took to the streets of New York City for inspiration.
He was roaming around Central Park one day in 1974, which he described as a “photographer’s paradise” due to the many live performers showcasing their talents, when he chanced upon a pair of mimes.
Sorine was struck by their energy and liveliness. “What attracted me to Robin Williams and his fellow mime, Todd Oppenheimer, was an unusual amount of intensity, personality and physical fluidity. When I approached them with my Pentax Spotmatic they allowed me to invite them into my camera instead of me having to chase after them.”
The photographer only realized in 2009 that he had captured the famous actor on film, when he discovered the old photographs and negatives lying in a suitcase.
Where once they were a treasured keepsake, Sorine’s pictures have taken on a poignant quality with Williams’ passing, and are a timely look back at the late comedian’s myriad talents, which were only just starting to flourish then.
View more images below of Williams during a happier period in his life.
[via PetaPixel, images by Daniel Sorine]