Robin Williams

[Gusington]

Watch it anyway :)

[Staggerwing]

I know it's been a few days but I still have not wrapped my head around the fact that Robin Williams is gone. While I'm sad about it it's not some kind of fanboi hysteria but more like a kind of "WTF?" as if the News were saying that the state of Pennsylvania had ceased to exist or that Disneyworld went out of business overnight. The guy has been such a fixture of the last 20-30 years of TV and movies that it doesn't compute in some part of my lizard brainstem. Give it a few weeks and that feeling will fade but right now it still seems as if I missed something somewhere and am having trouble understanding what it is.

[Gusington]

Me too man, me too.

[BanzaiCat]

It's still not sunk in with me, either. I was just perusing his IMDB page, and holy crap, it's a hell of a resume what he did not just for film, but for moviegoers. Me in particular. Like all of you I grew up watching him on the big screen and on my TV - I was big into watching standup comedians in the 80s on cable networks and he was just pure hilarity wrapped up in hairy skin.

But it wasn't just that he was a funny guy - he could bring a dramatic role to life, like he did in Dead Poets Society or Awakenings. Awakenings had Bill Murray considered for the role that Williams played, but Penny Marshall didn't want people thinking it was a comedy. Robin Williams was probably best known for his comedy so this shows even the perception of him way back then was that he could do it all and do it convincingly and to a point where he moved you, the audience.

His strengths weren't just in front of the camera either - he was a genuine and approachable guy that really appreciated the people that helped make him famous. It's painful to only now see what kind of depression he dealt with, almost like it was a dear friend that did it and you're left wondering 'what the hell could I have done to prevent this?' In truth...nothing. But that's not the way it feels. In a way I feel guilty even though it was totally beyond my power to do anything for him, obviously.

I still remember, very clearly, seeing him in Popeye in 1980 on the big screen. My dad was a HUGE fan of the old Popeye cartoons so he was stoked to see it. Williams was a dead ringer for Popeye; I knew that even though I was 11 and only had brief exposure to some Popeye cartoons - I remember they weren't my favorites but I'd watch them anyway. That movie was a classic.

Moscow on the Hudson was another favorite of mine...he really showed range playing a Russian. Best of Times was hilarious - he played perfectly opposite Kurt Russell in that one. In Baron Munchausen as 'King of the Moon,' I didn't know he was in it so that was a surprise (that whole movie was all kinds of WTF and awesome combined and Williams' appearance was a surprise to me). Good Morning Vietnam, Cadillac Man, Awakenings, The Fisher King...I'm exhausted and dizzy just thinking about how much of an impact he left on me and my friends back in the day, he was so larger than life in so many of the characters that he played.

Dead Poets Society was one of my favorite Williams movies (though Awakenings is way up there for me too). On a totally unrelated note, it is funny how fate moved him through some of these roles. Apparently Liam Neeson had the role but when they changed directors, Neeson was out and Williams was in.

I don't think it will ever really sink in with me that he's gone.

[airboy]

I am never surprised when an artist kills themselves.  There are so many examples in history of artists killing themselves, mutilating themselves, or being locked away for insanity or severe depression that it does not come as a shock.

Severe depression is pretty common amongst the highly creative.  It can be treated, but you are never really "well."  Its a shame, but pretty commonplace.

Add in substance abuse and the toll is even higher.

One of my close friends is a huge Robin Williams fan and I told him I was sorry about this. 

Its just sad - but severe depression is very serious and makes people irrational.

[undercovergeek]

whilst i generally thought myself immune to these things i have been moved in a number of ways this week

total outrage at the c*nts who abused his daughter on twitter

i watched the video where he meets the gorilla and the two of them sit there laughing and tickling each other, its sad and great at the same time

and smiled at his work in good will hunting  O0

he has a look of total mischief and wonder in his eyes i dont think we'll see again 

[MetalDog]

Read this a few minutes ago.  It's by a friend of Robin's and I think it sums up a relationship with a man so many people admire and love.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jerry-leichtling/robin-williams-the-secret_b_5676784.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592

[Staggerwing]

Quite a tribute. Thanks for post that MD.

[LongBlade]

Read this a few minutes ago.  It's by a friend of Robin's and I think it sums up a relationship with a man so many people admire and love.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jerry-leichtling/robin-williams-the-secret_b_5676784.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing that.

[Martok]

I know it's been a few days but I still have not wrapped my head around the fact that Robin Williams is gone. While I'm sad about it it's not some kind of fanboi hysteria but more like a kind of "WTF?" as if the News were saying that the state of Pennsylvania had ceased to exist or that Disneyworld went out of business overnight. The guy has been such a fixture of the last 20-30 years of TV and movies that it doesn't compute in some part of my lizard brainstem. Give it a few weeks and that feeling will fade but right now it still seems as if I missed something somewhere and am having trouble understanding what it is.

This is how I've been feeling as well.  It absolutely does not feel real to me. 

Read this a few minutes ago.  It's by a friend of Robin's and I think it sums up a relationship with a man so many people admire and love.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jerry-leichtling/robin-williams-the-secret_b_5676784.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing that.

+2  Thanks MD. 

[Gusington]

I agree with Airboy...I think there is some kind of genetic link between creativity and depression and other similar illnesses.

[Jarhead0331]

It took me awhile to get over the loss of Michael Jackson. It really hit me hard. They would be playing his music on the radio after his death and I was just so moved by his immense unrivaled talent. Its like losing a one of a kind beautiful creature that will never walk the earth again. I'd be driving...Man on the Mirror would come on and I'd have to remember where I was and stop myself from tearing up. Yep. Such a loss to the entire world.

[GDS_Starfury]

I sense something in your post JH......

[Staggerwing]

I sense something in your post JH......

Ya think?

[GDS_Starfury]

Im just kinda surprised he loved Michael Jackson that much.