Matt Damon "owes everything" to Robin Williams.
The 'Bourne Identity' actor and friend Ben Affleck launched their careers with 1997 movie 'Good Will Hunting' - which they wrote and starred in - and he doesn't think he would have enjoyed the life he has since then if the late actor hadn't agreed to take on a starring role.
He said: "Ben (Affleck) and I owe everything to him. He said yes to our movie and he got it made. I could never thank him enough. I look around at the life I have and how blessed I feel and so much of it started with him."
The 43-year-old actor was "shocked" when Robin, 63, committed suicide last month and hopes the tragedy will raise awareness of depression and how debilitating it can be.
Speaking to Yahoo! News' Katie Couric, he said: "I was shocked. I hadn't been in touch with him and obviously, he was battling severe depression and I hope it can start a conversation in the country about depression, just how serious it is and what an exceptionally powerful disease that it is.
"I think it affected everybody in the country actually. We all felt like we knew him and he was a part of our lives."
Matt went on to praise the 'Mrs. Doubtfire' star as the "funniest person" he ever met who could always lift the spirits of those around him.
He said: "He was the funniest person I ever met in my life. He was the guy who, when the crew was flagging, would stop everything and do 20 minutes of stand-up off the top of his head that literally had everybody on the floor and we were like, 'Ok, let's get back to work'.
"He was amazingly generous with that time he gave to help other people but just in life, if you walked down the street and if somebody stopped him he would talk to that person, he engaged with every single person and he understood at some level, the impact that he had on people. He could see people light up when they saw him.
"I think that is what I carry with me... the joy he brought in my life."

Ridley Scott has confirmed the sequel to 'Prometheus' will not feature any of the Xenomorph aliens.
The 76-year-old filmmaker says the classic HR Giger 'Alien' design will not appear in the much-anticipated sequel.
Speaking to Yahoo, Scott explained: "The beast is done, cooked."
He added: "I got lucky meeting Giger all those years ago. It's very hard to repeat that. I just happen to be the one who forced it through because they said it's obscene. They didn't want to do it and I said, 'I want to do it, it's fantastic'.
"But after four, I think it wears out a little bit. There's only so much snarling you can do. I think you've got to come back with something more interesting. And I think we've found the next step. I thought the engineers were quite a good start."
Scott's next release is 'Exodus: Gods and Kings', which he's described as the "biggest" movie he's ever made.
The film centres on Moses' hand in leading the Israelite slaves out of Egypt.
He explained: "Well, in terms of the metaphorical aspects, yes [this is the biggest project I've done]. Even budgetarily it's probably the biggest, yeah.
"But I didn't approach it as my biggest. I never do that. I always approach it from the point of view of the characters, of the story."

Christopher Nolan says his new sci-fi film 'Interstellar' is like "a mirror image" of 'Inception'.
The new film concerns a group of astronauts who travel through a wormhole in a bid to save an Earth devoid of its natural resources - and Nolan explained that the new movie was inspired by sci-fi movies from his childhood.
Speaking to Empire magazine, the 44-year-old director said: "It expands out in the way Inception contracts inwards, it's a very classically constructed movie, but the freshness of the narrative elements really enhance it.
"I liken it to the blockbusters I grew up with as a kid, family films in the best sense: edgy, incisive, challenging."
The much-hyped film boasts an impressive cast that includes Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain, as well as Casey Affleck, Matt Damon and Michael Caine.
Of the film, 44-year-old McConaughey said: "This is the grandest adventure I think any of us will ever see on film.
"This is the biggest film I've ever been a part of. This is one of the biggest films anyone's ever been a part of."
'Interstellar', which is based on scientific theories from physicist Kip Thorne, opens on November 7.

Kylie Minogue thinks Rita Ora will be "great" as her replacement on 'The Voice'.
The pop superstar has given the 'Black Widow' singer her blessing to take her chair on the judging panel and thinks she will bring a great energy to the BBC One talent show.
In an interview on TV show 'Lorraine', Kylie said: "I'm really excited that Rita is doing it, I think she'll be great!"
Kylie announced she was leaving 'The Voice' after earlier this year after just one series, and Rita was announced as her replacement and will join returning judges Sir Tom Jones, will.i.am and Ricky Wilson for the next season.
Emma Willis and Marvin Humes are to return as hosts when 'The Voice' kicks off in January 2015.
It seems the 'Into The Blue' hitmaker is feeling generous towards her pop peers.
Kylie, 46, revealed she's a big fan of Miley Cyrus but she's not prepared to try some of Miley's trademark twerking during her 'Kiss Me Once' European tour, which kicked off at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on Wednesday night (24.09.14).
She said: "Miley's a little dynamite, I love her. She showed us the first famous footage of her twerking and said, 'You should do it!' I said, 'You do it great but me? I don't know.' "

Former 'Great British Bake Off' finalist Ruby Tandoh has branded the show's producers as "thoughtless" in the wake of 'Alaskagate'.
The 22-year-old cook - who made it to the final three of the series in 2013 - has slammed the makers of the BBC One primetime baking show following their editing when contestant Diana Beard was made to look as though she'd sabotaged competitor Iain Watters' ice-cream.
When asked about the scandal in an interview with The Times newspaper, Ruby said: "It was a case of the editors being, if not malicious, then at least completely thoughtless about how something would come across."
In the episode which aired last month, fans of the show were left shocked when it appeared as though 69-year-old Diana ruined Iain's ice-cream by removing it from the freezer and leaving it to melt in a hot kitchen. Later on in the episode, Iain was seen throwing his failed baked Alaska dish into the bin, and was subsequently eliminated.
Diana was forced to leave the contest the following week due to illness, but has received torrents of abuse from infuriated viewers in the aftermath of 'Alaskagate', including insults and death threats.
The producers of 'Great British Bake Off' aren't the only people who have annoyed Ruby recently, as she also criticised people who have suggested her choice of hobby makes her less of a feminist.
She said: "It's just something you do in the kitchen, nothing to do with your femininity or lack of, or success as a feminist.
"Equally I don't think it's an empowering thing to reclaim the kitchen; it's just cooking. I understand its history is quite gendered, but I've no time for perpetuating that division."

Emmerdale's Jason Merrells has said his character is "capable of anything."
The 45-year-old has admitted that he believes his character in the soap, Declan Macey, is extremely volatile, following violent scenes between him and his on-screen wife Charity (Emma Atkins).
In last night's episode (24.09.14), viewers were left shocked as Declan bludgeoned the blonde beauty over the head after she attempted to attack him with an axe.
Talking about the evil character, he told The Sun newspaper: "He's ruthless and can be psychopathic. So once his whole world has been turned upside down by the one thing he loved, then he's capable of anything."
Scenes in recent weeks have been building up to a showdown between the couple, after Declan learned that Charity had aborted their baby. Until this week, viewers were led to believe that Charity's sister Megan (Gaynor Faye) had been spiking her sibling's drink, but in a shocking twist it was revealed that Declan has been the one poisoning his wife.
While it appeared that Declan had killed Charity in last night's show, a surprising turn of events in this evening's episode (25.09.14) will see Charity wake up and attempt to fight the creepy criminal.
The actor - who appeared in 'Waterloo Road' before joining the ITV soap - hinted that the storyline will thrill viewers as it unveils in the following days, saying: "It's a massive storyline. I think there will be moments when viewers are scared and they jump.
"What I found scary is the matter-of-factness. He's almost saying to Charity, 'Just be practical, this has got to happen'."

Britney Spears is "pretty damn happy" being single.
The 'Piece of Me' hitmaker split from boyfriend David Lucado last month after 18 months of dating but she isn't feeling too upset and is instead focusing on her goals.
Discussing her personal life, she said: "I am pretty damn happy right now."
Asked for advice on being single, she added: "It's all about setting yourself a goal and going for that and just being motivated and staying true to yourself."
When she isn't working, the 32-year-old beauty enjoys doing "normal" activities with her sons Preston, nine, and Jayden, eight, her kids from her marriage to Kevin Federline.
Speaking on 'Good Morning Britain' she said: "I love swimming, I swim all the time, I love going to the spas, I love cooking, I love studying with my boys and doing just normal things like that."
Though Britney is currently in the UK promoting her new lingerie range, she has been based in Las Vegas for several months on a concert residency and admits she loves the routine and can't believe how much she used to travel.
She said: "The way I used to travel all around the world and do a different show every night, I'm like 'How did I do it?!' Promotion is a different story and going to a different city every day like what I'm doing now it's really hard but being based in Vegas and having one show that you just keep going back to, the consistency of that is really grounding and really cool."

will.i.am had no idea Cheryl Fernandez-Versini had remarried.
The 'Scream & Shout' hitmaker was surprised to learn his friend - who he has collaborated with several times since 2008 and managed until last October - had tied the knot with Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini in a secret ceremony in July but was very happy to hear the news.
Asked his thoughts on Cheryl's marriage, he told MailOnline: "She got married already? Oh I didn't even know that!
That's cool! I'm happy for her, that's dope."
Meanwhile, the Black Eyed Peas star insisted he never relaxes because modern technology means he can work wherever he is in the world.
He said: "I don't hang out. I could write songs anywhere, especially with these [electronic] tools available now.
"F**k relaxing what else is there to do? I just like to always work, from one thing to the next thing."
Cheryl's former Girls Aloud bandmate Nadine Coyle - who lives in Los Angeles with fiance Jason Bell and six-month-old daughter Anaiya - recently admitted she heard about the 'X Factor' star's recent marriage from a friend.
She said: "I suppose Cheryl heard about the baby like everyone else.
"She sent a congratulations email. 'It's amazing you're going to be a mummy ...', that sort of stuff. She didn't tell me about her wedding.
"I heard from one of my best friends who came to LA from the UK.
"He said, 'Cheryl got married. Did you see?' He had an English newspaper with him and I thought, 'God, no way!' "

Kathy Griffin is favourite to replace Joan Rivers on 'Fashion Police'.
Programme bosses recently confirmed the show will continue following the 81-year-old comedienne's death earlier this month and now producers - including Joan's daughter Melissa - have drawn up a list of potential new presenters to join longtime co-hosts Giuliana Rancic, Kelly Osbourne and George Kotsiopoulos on the style series.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the shortlist contains both male and female comedians, with 53-year-old Kathy is "serious contention" to take the job.
However, the publication stresses there have not yet been formal discussions with anyone as E! bosses feel not enough time has passed yet since Joan's death.
E! confirmed late last week that the popular programme will continue following speculation about its future.
A spokesperson said in a statement: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of Joan Rivers and, for the last two weeks, have turned our attention to honouring her memory on all of our platforms. We have also thought long and hard about what Joan would have wanted as it pertains to the future of 'Fashion Police'.
"We decided, with Melissa Rivers' blessing, that Joan would have wanted the franchise to continue. 'Fashion Police' will return in 2015 commencing with Golden Globes coverage on Monday, January 12. No further details will be announced at this time."

Nicolas Cage is a "brilliant" grandfather.
The 50-year-old actor's eldest son Weston Cage and his wife, Danielle, welcomed son Lucian Augustus into the world on July 1 and the 23-year-old rocker plans to raise the little boy according to the things he was taught by his actor dad.
Weston said: "He likes [to be called] Grandpa, or Nonno, the Italian."
"He's a brilliant grandfather.
"I believe that a lot of the morals and philosophies that I will teach to my son definitely comes from my father. He was an amazing father to me.
Weston already knows which of his famous father's movies he plans to show his little boy first.
He explained to 'Entertainment Tonight': "The Sorcerer's Apprentice'. Things like magic, all those things are so embedded in a child's psychology.
"Plus it was dedicated to my grandfather, Augustus, which is his middle name."
And Lucian is already showing a keen interest in his father's music.
The 'Tell Me Why (Matriarch of Misery)' rocker said: "He loves music, he's enthralled by it, if I play the mandolin or something, he'll stare at the instrument and watch me, he's mesmerised.
"He loves [the harder stuff], he was in the womb when I was recording [my album, 'Prehistoric Technology'] and when he came out, a couple of months later I was playing the harder stuff and he was moving his head and his hands."
Even when his music takes him on the road, Weston wants to provide Lucian with a stable environment.
He said: "I'll definitely make sure that [Lucian] doesn't have to deal with too many schools back and forth.
"I'll want to get someone that's trustworthy to tutor and provide everything that a school could."

Melanie Sykes is reportedly set to appear on 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!'
The 44-year-old television presenter is reportedly getting in shape ready for a stint on the jungle reality show later this year, and producers are desperate for her to sign up.
A show source told the Daily Star newspaper: "Mel will be great value. She's still sexy and will look good in a bikini in the jungle shower. She is single, too, so there's hope for a romance. Being northern, she also speaks as she finds so that will make for some interesting campfire chats."
Melanie could well get tips from a previous jungle winner, Gino D'Acampo, who she co-presents ITV daytime show 'Let's Do Lunch' with.
Meanwhile, the former model is unlikely to follow in the footsteps of Katie Price and Peter Andre - who got married after meeting on the hit ITV show - as she has insisted she never wants to tie the knot again.
Melanie's previous marriage to 28-year-old roofer Jack Cockings ended in January this year, a month after she was given a police caution for alleged common assault.
She previously said: "No, I'll never marry again. But I said that the first time, so ... [I've not been put off relationships], not a bit, because that was just one particular relationship."
She added: "[Finding another partner] doesn't interest me at all. Now [or] ever, I don't know. I just don't want to get into that.
"I'm going out a lot more and I'm meeting lots of people so that's nice. It's just wicked! I'm free as a bird!"

Karl Howman has joined 'EastEnders'.
The former 'Brush Strokes' actor has been snapped up by bosses on the popular BBC soap to play an East End thug.
The 61-year-old will appear as a shaven-headed hardman, who is set to take on resident Walford tough guy Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden). Expected to hit screens in November, Karl has hinted that his character will be causing some trouble among Albert Square's current residents.
The 80s sitcom star - who also appeared as the title character in the BBC situation comedy 'Mulberry' - said: "It is an honour to have joined such an iconic show as EastEnders and I have received such a lovely welcome from all involved. They are truly one big family with a work ethic to be in awe of. The twists and turns, character and plots that are coming make it all the more exciting for me."
'EastEnders' executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins is thrilled to have Karl on board.
He said: "We have been trying to get the brilliant Karl Howman to join EastEnders for a very long time - and it's fantastic that it's finally happened."
Details about his initial storyline are being kept under wraps, but Dominic teased that Karl's personality lends itself to the part.
He added: "An authentic Londoner with grit, sparkle and a touch of danger, Karl is the perfect fit for this new character."