'Comic Relief' co-founder Billy Crystal on Monday, at the 2014 Emmy Awards, paid an emotional tribute to his late friend Robin Williams, who committed suicide on August 11.

"As genius as he was on stage, he was the greatest friend you could ever imagine," said a somber Crystal, "It is very hard to talk about him in the past tense because he was so present in all of our lives."

It is to be noted that Billy Crystal and Robin Williams together set up 'Comic Relief' and both were good friends.

On Monday, Crystal preferred not to say anything about the comic's death and rather focused his speech on the bright legacy of "the brightest star in our comedy galaxy."

He recalled the time when the duo shared a visit to the Mets' then-home stadium of Shea Stadium for a charity event.

"I used to think if I could just put a saddle on him and last for eight seconds I would be okay," said Crystal, who also starred with Williams in the 1997 movie, "Father's Day."

The emotional speech was followed by a short highlight reel of some of the best moments of the late comedian on late night television. Among the highlights was an early 90s visit to chat show host Jay Leno in which he quipped, "God gives you a penis and a brain, but only enough blood to run one at a time."