Matthew "Aardvark" Herne Remembers Robin Williams

The entertainment community as well as most of the world was shocked last week by the death of comedian and Oscar winner Robin Williams.

During the countless television interviews that followed a close friend said Williams used to stop by comedy clubs and meet backstage up and coming comedians.

One of these entertainers was Akwesasne's Matthew "Aardvark" Herne.

The scene was at the Syracuse Hotel in the early 1980's. Herne was on stage with the late Charley Hill, Willie Dunn and Floyd Westerman raising money for the Longest Walk. Williams was performing at the Carrier Dome with another up and coming comedian named Howie Mandel.

Herne finished his set when the famed Williams popped in back stage and had a short meet and greet.

"It wasn't more than five minutes, he shook my hand and said great show and congratulations," said Herne.

As most comedians will say today, Williams had a big influence on Herne.

"He was the reason I got into comedy," added Herne.

He also included Richard Pryor to his influences.

In his stand up career Herne also met and had a longer conversation with an unknown Jerry Seinfeld.