https://www.tumblr.com/kindsoulbuddy/713068950349578240/i-love-finding-out-new-things-about-saint-robin
I love finding out new things about Saint Robin Williams
It's a great story, and I always get the impression Robin Williams was a mensch, but also: I can't imagine a time when anyone anywhere wouldn't have known Nathan Lane was gay.
I love how he got started. Someone at Happy Days was pushing hard for an episode about a dream sequence with an alien (which was absolutely ridiculous, but their young kid really wanted to see it), and they couldn't find anyone that would do it, because it was absolutely ridiculous.
Then like two days before taping/airing someone saw Williams performing on the street, (and possibly also the comedy club) and they grabbed him, brought him in, and blew the lid off the entire concept. Everyone at the studio was amazed by this street performer, and when it aired it was like the top watched episode.
And he was humble throughout the entire thing.