When most of us think about Robin Williams, we probably picture someone who entertained us in some way or another, often with humor. The impact that he has had on millions of people around the world is undeniable.

As it turns out, more than people are able to experience what Robin Williams was able to give. This includes a gorilla, and she had a problem that was very difficult to face.

Robin Williams went to visit the gorilla, named Koko, in 2001. The Western Gorilla had become very familiar with American sign language, so it was possible to communicate, at least on a rudimentary level.

The problem was that Koko was grieving a very difficult loss because her companion had d**d. She actually became the most famous gorilla in the world, but unfortunately, even Koko has passed away since, after dying in 2018 peacefully in her sleep.

Perhaps you remember the National Geographic cover from 1985 that shows the giant gorilla softly cradling a kitten. That kitten was her 13th birthday present.

Keepers at the Gorilla Foundation offered her the kitten instead of a stuffed toy because she had refused the plushy. One of the biologists with the foundation, Roy Cohn, said: “We gave her a life-like stuffed animal and she was terribly upset.”

Despite the difference in size, the 230-pound gorilla was very gentle with the tiny kitten, and it wasn’t long before the two of them were bonding.

Cohn said: “They would play chase with each other, and she (Koko) would hold it and pet it. The cat reacted to her as she would a human, but she was pretty independent and would bite Koko or wriggle loose when she got tired of being babied.”

Funnily enough, when the cat wiggled away from the gorilla, Koko would sign, “Obnoxious. Cat.”

The little kitten, which was named All Ball, unfortunately d**d in December of that year after escaping from the cage and getting struck by a car.

“When we told Koko, she acted like she didn’t hear us for about 10 minutes. Then she started whimpering, a distinct hooting sound that gorillas make when they are sad. We all started crying together.”

Cohn then folded her hands and gave the sign for ‘Sleep. Cat.’

It was a loss that was very difficult for the gorilla, but she also had some other companions. This included other cats and dogs as well as a parrot.

One companion that was very important to Koko was Michael, a silverback who was rescued after his mother was k*ll.ed by poachers. Michael came to be with Koko at the sanctuary in 1976.

He had a difficult time dealing with the d**th of his mother but Koko was there to comfort him. The gorilla foundation wrote: “Michael remembered the d**th of his mother again, and again. He described the bright red blood, the shock, the struggle and submission as strong arms carried him off while his mother lay slaughtered in the bush. Michael never forgot his mother, the man who k*ll.ed her, or his deep anguish.”

Unfortunately, Michael died of congestive heart failure at the age of 28. Koko began to mourn the loss of her friend, and she was inconsolable. That is when they decided to call in Robin Williams.

The late comedian said: “Hi, I’m Robin Williams. I recently had a mind-altering experience communicating with a gorilla, her name is Koko. We shared something extraordinary. Laughter.”

William said that the gorilla understood spoken English and ‘uses over 1,000 signs to share her feelings and thoughts about daily events, life, love.’

He said that Koko even understood d**th.

Williams had gone to visit the gorilla in 2001 and was hoping he could help her with the grieving process. The keeper said that Koko “hadn’t laughed since losing her lifelong male gorilla companion, Michael, 4 months earlier. Koko made a new friend that day who helped her feel happiness again.”

Funny enough, Koko had just recently watched a movie with Robin Williams in it, and she remembered him. She kept signing ‘You tickle’ and then would laugh as soon as his fingers touched her belly or thighs.

The two of them also played chase and laughed and rolled around on the ground together. She would dig through his pockets, look at his wallet and even stole his sunglasses.

Before Robin Williams left the enclosure, she took his hand and placed it against her face to say ‘Koko love.’

Robin Williams said: “She had my sunglasses on, she turned away then she looked out the window. She looks great, they actually look great.”

It’s a beautiful moment and we are so happy to be able to see it in this touching video.