Better late than never. David Letterman, who was on vacation immediately after Robin Williams was found dead at the age of 63 in his California home, returned to work on CBS’s The Late Show and aired a moving tribute to the fallen actor on Monday August 17.

The 10 minute clip features Letterman talking about the first time meeting Williams at New York City’s famous Comedy Store 38 years ago. Letterman recalled the first time he and his fellow comedians stayed after their own set to watch Williams perform. “He comes in like a hurricane,” Letterman said. “And the longer he’s on stage, the worse we feel about ourselves, because it’s not stopping! Then he finishes and I thought, ‘Well that’s it. They’re gonna have to put an end to show business because what could happen after this?’”

According to Rolling Stone, Letterman would go on to guest star on William’s star turn in the sitcom Mork and Mindy. Williams made a total of 50 guest appearances on the The Late Show, many of which were highlighted in a montage shown after Letterman’s remarks.

Acknowledging that Williams’ death was a suicide related to a long struggle with depression, Letterman said, “What I will add here is that, beyond being a very talented man and a good friend and a gentleman, I am sorry I, like everybody else, had no idea that the man was in pain and the man was suffering. But what a guy.”