After a night to process the death of Robin Williams it is really sad that he didn't see in himself what the rest of the world saw in him. when he went to rehab a few months ago and took the photo with the Dairy Queen worker you can tell that he really didn't want to be doing it, but he was just too kind to say no. He doesn't look well in the photo, was probably in a lot of pain and embarrassed to be going back to rehab, but his innate kindness just couldn't make him say anything but yes to the awestruck teen who couldn't believe Robin Williams was inside her DQ. Mork & Mindy aired in 1978. So, for almost the past 40 years Robin Williams has been in front of us. He didn't just stick with comedy. The man went to every place he wanted. Stand up comedy, dark dramas, animation. He was everywhere and did what spoke to him. The Los Angeles Times did a tribute to him and to every character he played, and I encourage you to look
at that here.
One of the more powerful scenes he did in Good Will Hunting called, "You're Just A Kid," is below.
I actually got to see Robin Williams perform stand up several times. The time I most remember was a charity performance he did and at one point in the night he did a few minutes together with Dennis Miller and then did a few minutes with Jamie Foxx. The way he could move from one to the other to his own and never miss a beat was incredible.
Below is Robin doing standup on an HBO special a couple of years ago.
Any favorite movies? The things is he could do so many. I'm not sure that any animated character has ever stood out more than the Genie in Aladdin. That he could play super creepy characters or such fun characters. He was in talks to do a sequel to Mrs. Doubtfire. That was a pretty good role. I think Jumanji is really underrated and you put him with Bonnie Hunt and they were great.
I still can't believe he's gone...
ReplyDeleteHe was a talented guy. His super-high-energy schtick must have been the reverse side of some very, very deep lows. The sadness of the clown.
ReplyDeleteSo I long will it be til you start revealing, Enty. *side Eye*
ReplyDelete@Dragon. I'm actually dreading that.
DeleteThis really doesnt make much sense at all. If a person has achieved everything you can possibly achieve in life-- has a loving wife and family, fame and acclaim of everyone in his field and the admiration and love of most of the world and can afford to buy things he needs to make life more tolerble, why this suicide? Makes me wonder what chance I have to have a good life and why I even bothered to try. There's something more than what we already know that hasn't come out yet that caused him to do this besides drug addiction and depression. The depths of despair to do this doesn't appear at all there.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think with these great actors and especially comedians they have a dark side almost bi ploar. They can be up but then they can be really down.
DeleteThe scene from Good Will Hunting is one of my favorites in any movie ever. He was simply amazing.
ReplyDeleteNot a big fan of his stand up, but really enjoyed his film and TV work. RIP Mork.
ReplyDeleteBirdcage...loved him in that movie with Nathan Lane! I'll watch it again tonight in his memory.
ReplyDeleteThanks for fighting and performing for us for so many years.
What's so sad is that so many who make us laugh, empty themselves to make other happy. To the point that nothing can make them happy except the laugh of other people. It's a sad truth but that's why so many comedians turn to drugs and alcohol.
ReplyDeleteSandybrook, it's a chemical imbalance. Can't be avoided, can be treated, often successfully.
ReplyDeleteRobin had many demons. Remember that he was partying with John Belushi the night Belushi OD'd :(
I think it's incredibly telling that both my 8 year old and my teenager are crushed by his death. He was a HUGE talent and will be missed.
He had a full and wonderful life. He had a kind and giving nature. He died on his own terms.
ReplyDeleteHe is at peace now and brought great joy and love to those around him. That is all any of us can ask in the end.
Absolutely gutted. we lost an amazing talent and soul. His kindness and generosity to Chris Reeves made a big impression on me. Too soon Robin, too soon. May the dreams that come be peaceful, RIP.
ReplyDeleteI'm beyond saddened to hear of Robin Williams' passing. I'm heartbroken and actually feeling as if I lost a close friend. He has been a part of pop culture for the majority of my life. I remember watching him with his cameos on "Happy Days" and when "Mork and Mindy" was MUST SEE television. Floating around my garage is a VHS copy of his HBO special from the 80s, right after he got out of rehab. (The jokes about his leather pants being from the "Hefty garbage bag collection" are still funny, damn it!) He did wonderful things with Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg, and their "Comic Relief" specials. His work in "Dead Poets Society" and "Good Will Hunting" and "One Hour Photo" showed he was more than just the manic funny guy who runs around ad-libbing. "Fern Gully", "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Aladdin" are how I introduced my kids, the next generation of fans, to his work.
ReplyDeleteRIP Robin. Your genius was much appreciated and you will be greatly missed. Peace and light to your friends, loved ones, and especially your wife and kids.
Fuck. I just woke up and wanted to believe it was all just a terrible nightmare..,,
ReplyDelete:(
I know but this has upset me to no end all night and morning so far. Honestly if he had died of an OD it probably wouldnt be so upsetting. At times you need to take stock, look around and assess...and if he couldn't do that and end up saying to himself "You know I've really done good." then the rest of us got some serious, serious problems. But his tortured soul is in a better place this morning.
ReplyDeleteI love what the Academy said, "Genie you're free."
ReplyDeleteHe performed at my college in'86. His crucifixion joke in the first few minutes cleared out the audience by a good third. The AC was broken, he was sweatier than usual, but amazingly funny.
ReplyDelete@Vera: a Robin was an inter-generational and international treasure <3
ReplyDeleteYes, lady, u hit it, as usual- robin was a national treasure, a gift we cld all share.
Delete@ sandy....infinitely more complex that that:(
ReplyDeleteYes..tortured souls tend to be the ones that smile the most and to attempt to make others feel good-which he did in spades-as a deflection of their own....misery , shame, feelings of inadequacy, low self esteem..list goes on.
He was the brightest bulb in most every room he entered, yet lived in darkness and that cannot be explained...by any theorist , book, or person..
Please enty do not do robin reveals today....let the healing happen
I was very fortunate to meet Robin a few times at his older brother's winery, and he did a beautiful eulogy at the said brother's memorial. He was an exceptionally kind man.
ReplyDeleteLooking back, it doesn't seem surprising that such a bright, intense light would burn out. He must have been physically, mentally and spiritually exhausted, especially having struggled with addiction as well.
ReplyDeleteRIP Robin
ReplyDeleteI think the bit he did on inside the actorsvstudio encapsulated his genius. He takes a scarf, and does amazing stuff with it. If anyone cld make that clicky, or just go to yutube. Its priceless. Sometimes i wonder if the price talented people pay is a touch of madness or mental issues. Look how many actors are off the rails. Robin cld never really believe he was a great great human and talent. He was very self critical. As someone already said, dont rest easy; start some fun in afterlife. But i hope he can look down and know, wow, they really loved me! Yes, we love you tobin and miss you already.
ReplyDelete"GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM!!"
ReplyDeleteRIP Robin. You made the world laugh.
He's everything I remember when I was growing up. I thought he was amazing, I teared up thinking about all the movies that I watched & I all the laughter & happiness that he brought into my life.
ReplyDeleteYou were so loved, you are still so loved. R.I.P
His movies sucked (Aladdin is great, but will hunting is overhyped, dead poets is preposterous, Doubtfire really sucks hard, Jumanji is another POS, he was annoying in the VietNam one...), but I really liked him on a documentary I saw years ago on TV where he really made me giggle.
ReplyDeleteHe was, allegedly, a great person to be with. And sean penn (and many other assholes) is still alive. Talk about karma now.
RIP. Many good people leave sooner than the douches.
I was just gonna say@kermit...hTF do the Kardashians walk around brimming with self esteem and arrogance, when beautiful, talented, charitable souls cannot often law
ReplyDeleteK around with their head up....nonsensical...funny, I just posted one of my favorite quote on my FB page days ago...but it fits today:life is designed for those not cursed with self awareness
Kermit, although you are clearly trolling, I will address your question about Karma.
ReplyDeleteKarma is, by definition, over many lifetimes.
I prefer to believe that Robin worked through a great many things and, when he had completed the work he had come for, chose to go back home.
In my belief system we will see him again.
And it will be good to laugh with him once more.
"Never fight with an ugly person, they’ve got nothing to lose." RIP Robin Wiliams
ReplyDeleteThis celebrity death has probably made me sadder than any I can remember. He brought such a humanity to his roles even when playing a psyco. He seemed like a really nice person. Jumanji is definitely not underrated to me. It was one of my favourite childhood movies. The way he seems to have died make it a hundred times sadder. I hope he somehow has some peace now. RIP.
ReplyDeleteHaving been close to suicide several times, I have somewhat of an idea how he must have been feeling. The last time I came close, I remember seeing one of his standup things on HBO, laughing and thinking if I can still laugh, it's not too bad. I never met him but feel like I lost a friend. I never thought I'd think this about anyone but a family member, but I'm devastated. Perhaps part of it is that we're the same age - seeing him in his earlier roles reminds me I was that young once. And to this day, I still laugh out loud when I think of the "trick or trout" joke. RIP
ReplyDelete@SusanB, yeah, it's too close for comfort.
DeleteI hope you're okay, lady ...don't see you post often. Miss your comments.
@SusanB - good to see you. Hope you're in a good place now. I've been there, too - didn't want to die, but wanted out of my FUBAR'ed body (anxiety/panic disorder/PTSD). Sometimes there's not any light at all. Glad I found the light, sad that people like Robin and my much loved grandfather (who committed suicide at age 84) weren't able to.
DeleteHere's a really good blog entry that talks about suicide in terms I agree with: http://m.blogher.com/what-suicide-isn-t-rip-robin-williams
ReplyDeleteWhat Dreams May Come. That's one of my favourite movies. He was so relatable to so many people. I'm an alcoholic and I know that special blend of sadness that comes with addiction and depression. Oh Robin....
ReplyDeleteIt is a must see of his. I loved it too.
DeleteIt is a must see of his. I loved it too.
DeleteThis broke my heart. RIP Robin. You will be deeply missed.
ReplyDeleteI've had a heavy, blue feeling since I've found out last night and it's not going away.
ReplyDeleteloved him in GWH
ReplyDeletehad a lot of demons-yes, the sad clown
seemed like a decent guy but it always makes me think when they go off the deep end when a celeb dies esp. by their own hand
not any sadder than anyone else in the same manner
without the rose colored glasses publicity
Still just utterly gutted by this.
ReplyDeleteHe won my heart...again.. when I learned of how he dressed as a doctor & went into Christopher Reeves Hospital room on morning of his surgery w/a 50-50 chance to live & announced "Ready for your Proctology Exam?" while snapping a rubber glove on-he was a dear friend of Chris(roomie @ Julliard)Chris laughed hysterically 4 1st time since his accident & he said he knew he'd be ok.. Thank You Robin for literally saving many lives!!! & AWESOME TO HEAR FROM YOU SusanB!!!
ReplyDeleteI've consoled myself with the visual of Chris Reeve and Robin Williams taking a nice long walk together in the afterlife. ~sniff~
ReplyDeleteFrufra, thank you for sharing that. <3
ReplyDeleteI second many comments about the strength of depression for even the most successful. But I know what you mean Sandy. Every time the Demon comes knocking, even if it's just for a day, I can feel a moment when I might give in and when I hear about these middle-age suicides I wonder if that is how I will go. You can heal and rebuild so many times, but when you have that vulnerability in you, there is always a danger you will give in, and it will ALWAYS be too soon.
ReplyDeleteI don't normally get emotional when a celebrity passes, but this...
ReplyDelete...the passing of Robin Williams, is just tearing me up inside. If I'm feeling like this, then I can't imagine what his close friends and families must be feeling right now. Such a tragic loss.
@Vera Oh gosh - I was trying NOT to cry!
ReplyDeleteThen I read your post.....
I can't....I just can't. I'm sitting here at my desk at work, and I'm bawling!!!
ReplyDeleteI feel so badly for him and for his family. I feel like he WAS my family. I am so heartbroken about this.
@Meanie, roloto & Frufra - thanks, guys. I'm still here - just don't post often.
ReplyDeleteSince I do believe in an afterlife, I find it comforting that Robin is seeing all of what people are saying - and knowing how much he was loved.
I highly recommend everyone watch that scene. Not just for the power of his performance (you can help but see him in the hospital holding his wife's hand) but also because of the writing. I wonder if he had a hand in that or if it was all Ben and pretty boy in the scene. Very very well done. Not enough moments in film like that.
ReplyDeleteRIP dear Robin, you are loved and missed!
ReplyDeleteI am so sad by this news, he was a powerful story teller and I loved a lot of his movies.
The Birdcage is one of my favorites and one of his standup routines, the one where he is talking about golf is a must see, I have had tears running down my face. I feel like I have lost a friend and I have never met him. You will be missed.
dammit.
ReplyDeleteI was at my daughter's cheer gym when we heard about his passing. People gasped, many OMG's and everyone was so sad. He was truly loved by so many and there are so many great stories of his generosity and kindness.
ReplyDeleteHugs to all, and a funny story: The animators couldn't keep up with Robin when he did Genie; he was so all over the place and improvised so much they just had to watch him in action and try to keep up.
ReplyDeleteLoved him in What Dreams May Come and The Birdcage, and Jumanji remains a family favorite with both generations of my kids.
That being said, I am absolutely wrecked by this. Please, Enty, no Robin reveals. EVER.
I don't want to live in a world where Peter Pan kills himself. I have shed so many tears since yesterday over someone I've never met.
ReplyDeleteO Captain! My Captain... Rest in Peace Mr. Williams.
On a blog related note, I join with others in the request of no Robin reveals. I think by now we all know he was more complex than his funnies, with more demons than his screen credits would lead you to believe. We know only what we've been told as far as his addiction, but if we've been told that much, we all know there is so much more. Mental Illness does not discriminate, and we don't need it laid out in front of us right now.
ReplyDeleteI, for one, don't want or need to hear them. Robin was a defining force of my childhood and it's enough for me that he was in so much pain that he thought this was a viable way out. Please, Enty, no reveals for a while, if ever. We need to heal and we need some time to process.
His death is still unbelievable. I continue reading his AMA, as Eros suggested:
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't you continue with this line of work?
http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mb2vf8GMjO1qasthro1_1280.jpg
[–]OpusThePenguin 1840 points 10 months ago
I would argue he did.
[–]RobinWilliamsHere[S] 2304 points 10 months ago
Thank you for making that transition. When I did that show dressed as cheerleader in the Denver Bronco mile high stadium, I realized that the end of our TV show was in sight.
[–]dont_fuck_with_me 1050 points 10 months ago
And the beginning of your cheerleading career was forming.
[–]Bryz_ 30 points 10 months ago
Career? More like a charity to mankind.
I think what makes this so hard to understand, is he was so beloved by many.
ReplyDeleteMany of us here might not remember life before "Mork and Mindy" and watched his career grow and thrive. As he grew as an actor and comedian we grew as people. I guess you could say, we grew up together.
There are a lot of funny people in the world, but he just stood out. Faster, wittier, and brighter. The way his mind worked blew us all away, and making us laugh.
His comedies of course, were gold. I still quote "It was a random drive by fruiting!" all the time. But I personally think, he excelled in darker roles. Something with more bite. Yes he was great at making us laugh, but even better when he made us think.
Garp, Good Morning Vietnam, The Fisher King and What Dreams May Come and Toys, Jumangi too (I always found that to be a dark movie). All wonderful movies, that often get overlooked by the funny ones.
I truly hope he is at peace, and truly hope he can now feel how he has impacted our lives.
Godspeed Mr Williams, Godspeed
The World According to Garp
ReplyDeleteSigh.
I don't ever think ill be able to watch Good Will Hunting again. Just too hard to watch the "it's not your fault" scene.
ReplyDeleteI thought of him on my vacation last week bc I can say I know what it smells like in the Sistine chapel.
For those of you who read this blog and can make this happen...I just wanted to put this out there:
ReplyDeleteIn honor of the multifaceted performer Robin Williams was, I hope on of the TV or Movie Academies out there considers establishing an award in his name to present to current and future successful and expandable performers such as the one he was.
I don't think there is anyone in this world that does not know his name or has seen his work in one form or another.
Robin Williams truly conquered various genres in his art form with such passion, inspiration and humor, that he deserves life-long recognition. Some of the areas he unleashed his talent on where TV, movies, Broadway, stand-up, animation and music. He also lent his time, energy and persona to charities and military support.
It would be great for future generations to be presented with the 'Robin Williams Award'.
His memory and efforts to make us all laugh, cry or wonder should continue to live on in the form of an amazing tribute. For he was much loved by all ages despite his personal battles with addiction and depression.
I would like to petition this or request it via social media. Won't you make it happen if you can?
This one hits close to home, and not because I knew Robin Williams or ever met him. It is just so sad when anyone feels that he or she has been ground down so bad and just does not have the strength to fight off their demons any more that they choose to end it all.
ReplyDeleteRIP. I pray that you are in a happier, more peaceful place.
"it is really sad that he didn't see in himself what the rest of the world saw in him"
ReplyDeleteEnty, I really have to take issue with this comment. You have no idea what he saw in himself, none of us do. You have no idea what was going on in his head before he took that final step. None of us do and we never will. It's different for everyone. Even the people who have come close, or attempted, can only go by their own experience of those moments, but they cannot describe someone else's.
It's been somewhat refreshing to see so many people on the internet make supportive and knowledgeable comments about depression as an illness, a brain dysfunction, and not a choice or a selfish act or sadness that can be cured by taking a walk. It's a damn shame that we keep adding to this collective enlightenment because we have lost so many, famous and nonfamous, to this illness.
A celebrity suicide can be a trigger for some. Please keep an eye on yourselves, and the ones you love. To quote Luann from "King of the Hill" "hug your babies tight" :(
I met him a couple of times, many years ago. At the time I was quite shy, especially in groups, and he went out of his way to make me laugh and be more comfortable. It was a deeply kind act toward someone he had no obligation to. Some things are deeper than $$. He will be greatly missed.
ReplyDeleteFrosty what a lovely story. Thank you for sharing and further cementing what a wonderful human being he was. {hugs}.
ReplyDelete