Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor outside the British Museum in London, as part of the European film premiere of Night of the Museum: Secret of the Tomb on Monday. Photo: Ian West/PA Wire

The stars of Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, including Owen Wilson, Dan Stevens and Sir Ben Kingsley, paid tribute to their late co-star Robin Williams at the film’s European premiere.

Wilson, who returns as “little cowboy” Jedediah in the third instalment of the comedy series, was among the cast who described the night as “a celebration” to the funnyman, who played former US president Theodore ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt in the film.

The movie is one of Williams’s final works. The comedian was found dead at his home in Tiburon, northern California, on August 11. A coroner later ruled his death was suicide resulting from asphyxia due to hanging.

“He had a great sense of humour, a real kindness and humility. For someone who could have so easily carried himself as a bigshot, he never did,” Marley and Me star Wilson said on the blue carpet outside London’s Empire Cinema.

“He was always a warm and curious person.”

Former Downton Abbey star Stevens, who joins the cast as Sir Lancelot, added: “He’s just an amazing man to have met. He’s one of my heroes and one of Ben’s heroes growing up and was such an inspiration to us all. He had a spirit of play and was a big kid, so we are going to celebrate tonight as much as we can.”

He was always a warm and curious person

Sir Ben, who plays Egyptian Pharaoh Merenkahre, said Williams had “dignity, wisdom, a unique charm and sense of humour”.

Stiller, who has reprised his role as night guard Larry Daley, earlier said that being around Williams was a joy.

The 49-year-old actor said: “This was the only chance I ever had to work with him. So every time we worked together on this movie franchise I was always excited.

“He was very generous and kind, and would make everyone feel as if they were an equal and it was fun to be around him and have him treat you that way, but in reality under the surface I was always just a fan. So I feel really lucky to have had that time with him and to be in the movies with him.”

Director Shawn Levy said the funnyman brought “humility” to the set, along with his own brand of humour.

“He was very funny. You never know what he’s going to do every day to be funny but he also brought such heart and such warmth and it’s something we are so grateful for.”