> At a Glance
> – Josh Charles told The View that working with Robin Williams on Dead Poets Society was “an incredible experience”
> – Williams treated the young cast as equals despite being the film’s biggest star
> – Charles could see “the human behind” the comedian’s humor even then
> – Why it matters: The 1989 film continues to resonate-Charles and Ethan Hawke recently appeared in Taylor Swift’s 2025 “Fortnight” video, introducing the classic to a new generation
Josh Charles reunited with The View on January 5, 2026, to look back on filming Dead Poets Society-and the memories of Robin Williams still feel fresh.
A Star Who Never Acted Like One
Charles, 54, recalled arriving on set as a teen and meeting the larger-than-life comic. “He was really kind to all of us,” Charles said. Despite headlining the drama, Williams insisted he was simply “one part of this ensemble.”
> “He was very gracious about that and treated us all really well,” Charles remembered.
Bonding Over Richard Pryor
Off-camera, the two traded Richard Pryor impressions. “I grew up a big Richard Pryor fan,” Charles laughed, noting that the riffing “got him going pretty quick.”
Even in those playful moments, Charles sensed depth. “I could see his humor but I could also see the human behind it and the toll that took on him, even at that young age.”
A New Wave of Fans
Nearly three decades later, Dead Poets Society found fresh attention via pop culture: Charles and Ethan Hawke made cameos as lab scientists in Taylor Swift’s 2025 music video for “Fortnight.”
- Filming the video let Charles spend “the day with one of my oldest buds.”
- Seeing kids discover the movie “through Taylor” made the actor “feel really old” but grateful.
Williams, who portrayed inspirational teacher John Keating, died by suicide in 2014 at 63 after battling undiagnosed Lewy Body Dementia.
Key Takeaways
- Charles praises Williams as both comedic genius and generous colleague.
- A shared love of Richard Pryor forged an on-set friendship.
- The 1989 film’s cameo in Swift’s video introduces it to Gen Z.
- Charles calls the enduring impact “a unique experience.”
As new audiences quote “O Captain, my Captain,” Charles’s stories keep Williams’s legacy alive-both the laughter and the humanity behind it.
