Billy Crystal delivered a glowing tribute to his friend Robin Williams at Emmy Awards

Speaking at the Los Angeles ceremony, he said: "Every time you saw him - on television, in movies, nightclubs, arenas, hospitals, homeless shelters for our troops overseas, and even in a dying girl's living room, for her last wish - he made us laugh. Big time."

Crystal, 66, added that Williams - who starred in 'Good Will Hunting' and 'Dead Poets Society' - was a great friend, in addition to being a "thrilling" entertainer.

He said: "I spent many happy hours with Robin onstage. The brilliance was astounding, the relentless energy was kind of thrilling. I used to think if I could just put a saddle on him and stay on for eight seconds I'd be all right.

"As genius as he was onstage, he was the greatest friend you could ever imagine: supportive, protective, loving. It's very hard to talk about him in the past, because he was so present in all of our lives."

A montage of clips from Williams' career followed the touching tribute.