‘Crazy Ones’ Guest Brad Garrett on Finally Working With Robin Williams, Getting Old and Writing a Book

The actor tells THR about the humbling inspiration for his collection of essays and recalls seeing his new co-star performing live, 30 years ago: “I’d want to go home and put my head in the oven because there’s just no one like him.”

Brad Garrett kicks off a rare stint on somebody else’s TV show this Thursday in the first of five appearances on freshman CBS sitcom The Crazy Ones.

It’s a role the Emmy winner, who most notably starred in Everybody Loves Raymond, ‘Til Death and ABC’s short-lived How to Live With Your Parents, jumped at the offer with only the promise of working with Robin Williams.

“I didn’t even care what the part was,” Garrett tells The Hollywood Reporter. “I remember sitting in the back of the Improv, watching him work when I was in my early twenties. I’d want to go home and put my head in the oven because there’s just no one like him.”

The part is Gordon Lewis, the previously unseen partner in Simon (Williams) and Sydney’s (Sarah Michelle Gellar) ad agency. He’s a penny-pincher, gay and, like Garrett, disarmingly tall – especially next to Williams.

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“You wonder what the craftsman is going to be like,” says Garrett, this being the first time he’s ever worked with his longtime influence. “You can’t help but be better around him. You can’t help but bump it up. You either get on the bus or you’re going to get left behind. This guy hasn’t been on a regular series in 30 years, and I think everyone on the cast just feels really grateful to take this ride with him.”

A TV fixture for the past 20 years, Garrett is spending the bulk of his time writing at the moment. He recently optioned a collection of essays to Simon & Schuster. The collection is more of an extension of his latest standup topics than any kind of memoir, he says, and notes that inspiration arrived in a rather unexpected venue.

“To My Beautiful IsaBeall on your Hatchday. You are truly the most incredible human I’ve ever met. As not to embarrass you because I know your humility I’ll just say Thank You. For everything,” Garrett wrote in his caption.

“You’re the love of my life even though you’re free to date. Wish I had a time machine. And a new head,” he continued, joking. “More and forever as the authorities allow. ❤️🙏🎂”

Two months later, the former “Single Parents” star called Quella his “wife” when he paid tribute to both her and his daughter in a post in honor of International Women’s Day.

“To my daughter, Hope and my wife, IsaBeall: You are celebrated EVERY DAY. Thank you for making me better; inspiring me and teaching me the power of love,” he wrote next to a gallery filled with photos of both women.

“Your kindness, compassion and grace makes this world a beautiful place. With love and endless admiration,” he added.