Featured Image Credit: Nintendo
It's hard to believe it's been 11 years since we lost Robin Williams, but leaving behind a legacy that includes everything from Aladdin to Mrs. Doubtfire, Good Will Hunting to Dead Poets Society, it continues to shine.
Williams tragically took his own life in 2014, with his autopsy showing signs of diffuse Lewy body disease, and his widow confirming he'd been experiencing depression, anxiety, and increasing paranoia.
Alongside an apparent love of knitting and cycling, Williams was a big supporter of animals – famously meeting with Koko the gorilla during a heartwarming 2001 interaction. Aside from being an avid fan of Ghost in the Shell and other anime, Williams was a big gamer.
In particular, he had a penchant for The Legend of Zelda games and named his daughter after the titular princess. Williams explained how he and his wife used to play Nintendo's fantasy franchise while she was pregnant, and after joking that they should call their daughter 'Zelda', the idea stuck.
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His love of Zelda extended so far, the beloved comedian and his daughter even starred in a series of commercials to promote both The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword in 2011.
After Williams' tragic passing, Nintendo responded to fan requests to put a tribute to him in a future game. At the time, the gaming giant said: "Robin Williams was loved at Nintendo. Our hearts go out to his entire family, and especially to Zelda Williams who we've worked with multiple times.
"We appreciate the outpouring of support from the gaming community, and hear the request of fans to honor him in a future game. We will not be discussing what might be possible for future games during this difficult time, but we will hold our memories of Robin close."
Many forgot about the petition, but it turns out that the House that Mario Built honored Williams in the best way possible. It seems some people are only just realizing that the NPC character of Dayto is a tribute to Williams.
First appearing in 2017's Breath of the Wild, Dayto is a travelling Hylian who can be found on the path near the Foothill Stable. Bearing a striking resemblance to Williams, Dayto is a somewhat nervous character who doesn't know what to do next. Racked by fear and concerned by the bleak nature of the realm, at least things are a little more cheerful when Link meets him again in 2023's Tears of the Kingdom.
Taking a new position while working at YunoboCo HQ, Dayto will buy unwanted items from Link and sell some much-needed fire-resistant gear.
Given Williams' love of Zelda, we can only imagine the joy he'd have seeing himself immortalized in the franchise.
Although some complained that they've known about the cameo for years, others were only just realizing. Responding to the reveal that Williams has been hiding in plain sight this entire time, one person wrote: "He was one of a kind. His legacy will carry on forever ❤️."
Another cheered: "Even Zelda couldn’t find a way to make us stop missing him 😢🎮."
A third said: "This means that Robin never died. He’s still alive.. not physically, but digitally!"
Once again, Robin Williams proves he's a legend that's gone, but not forgotten.
