RIP Robin Williams

[cigcars]

Shock of all Shocks. Still can't believe or even able to accept it. Disney's "Aladdin" with Robin as the genie was truly tailor made for him; manic, crazy, rapid fire ontarget, back-to-back-to-back-to-back joke/magic/head-spinning (and decapitatedly so!) singing declarations to Aladdin how, "You never had a friend like me!" was the best vehicle for him (and best descriptive of him) piece I think I've seen in a film's ability to exploit his million plus talents. Dayyammmn...still just can't fathom the loss. *sigh* RIP, Robin. We'll see you eventually

[Grahamsant]

Wow. Such a shock! I find out through here and then went to BBC news to verify.

It's incredibly sad how many people suffer with depression and feel they have no alternative. Please don't say that you have no sympathy because to me all that sounds like is that you have no understanding of what people in this situation are dealing with. Clinical depression is a horrible thing, it doesn't matter how famous you are, it can hit anybody. You might be as famous as Robin and have thousands of people around you but still feel like you are completely isolated and alone. Anyway, that's all ill say on that subject.

RIP Robin. Thank you for the laughter!

[Ramrod918]

He will be missed....

[Warren]

I will miss his presence . I know some of you think he wasn't a great actor but I have to disagree.

He played a convincing cold blooded villain in One Hour Photo.

He played a caring educator.

And He played many memorable comedic roles.

The movie What Dreams May Come came out around the same time my brother passed away from cancer and it did two things for me. It gave me some kind of strange hope ( yes I know it's a kind of fairy tale) but it helped. And it also opened up the flood gates and I cried for about an hour and that was something I needed to do at the time.

Sure he wasn't the best actor but he had more range than many I can think of.

And I also agree with some of the sentiments about suicide. It is the most selfish thing a person can do and it can destroy those left behind and for that I am very disappointed in him.

I said to my Wife this morning. It doesn't matter how much money or privilege or talent you have, it still doesn't guaranty happiness.

[JoeyGunz]

Was awful to hear about his passing, he was truly a great man, depression is a bloody bastard.

Life can get on top of us all at times, take this as an oppurtunity to take a step back, light up a cigar and bring it all back into perspective.

www.MIND.org.uk

[Duxnutz]

Definitely brought alot of laughter to people's lives. I'm saddened that someone who made people so happy could be so down to take one's life.

In a world where we celebrate the mediocre he was true class.

[rsanz]

...so very very sad...

Oh captain my captain.

[anacostiakat]

Shocking. RIP Nanu, Nanu....

[Fuzz]

Depression is an insidious bastard. As somebody with firsthand experience, it is a daily struggle that never fully leaves. No matter how long ago, years of therapy and even after you thought you had it beat, it can come back and mess with you all over again.

[almudawi]

I will miss him. One of my favorite actors. Clinical depression is a horrible illness. I had a girlfriend who suffered from it half way through our relationship. And to witness first hand how it changes the person suffering from it is one of the most difficult experiences I have ever endured. Suicide is not a solution but it's easier for us healthy people to say that. We all go through periods of feeling blue, right? Now, imagine constantly feeling that way. Waking up every day with no chance of shacking this off nor having the ability to think positively of anything.

RW was a great actor and comedian. The breadth of the roles he had was phenomenal. Add to that his standup shows and unscripted interviews. Legend!

R.I.P Robin Williams

[CaptainQuintero]

Can only echo what others have said, suicide is possibly the most sad and heartbreaking issue. When people are crippled with depression and suicidal thoughts they not themselves, the illness is in control. If you want to blame something then blame the illness not the person. The person is no more to blame than someone who gets cancer is to blame, they have no choice, no control and it is out of their hands.

I understand the feelings of anger which comes across as ignorance or even cold and hard.

We all know that energy cannot be destroyed, it has to change into something else or be transferred, it's basic physics. I see the same with suicide. All that hopelessness and sadness, desperation has to go somewhere when the person dies, it cant just vanish. It very often is transferred to the people who loved and cared for the person, they have to carry that pain for the rest of their lives. That I can see how people can say suicide is selfish or cowardly, but again it is commenting on the issue without realising that the person is not in control or is even capable of realising what they are going to do.

It's something that people cant understand until they have been through it themselves, even then if you have suffered with those issues then you've only had a tiny taste, the proof is that you're still here.

It doesn't mean you are weak, a coward or soft.

Hate the illness not the tortured soul who has fought for as long as they can and lost themselves.

[Laxman]

Very sad news. He was one of the funniest man of our time. Best of times was classic. His stand up would make you wet your pants. A true comic

Money and fame do not guarantee happiness. Look how many famous movies stars have died too young in the last few years. I have lost a few friends from depression and alcoholism. On the surface they had the world by the balls but struggled to find inner peace. Suicide is a permeant solution to a temporary problem. There is always help out there no matter how bad things get. It completely destroys the lived of everyone around you forever. God bless and God speed Robin I hope you are peace and I pray your loved ones.

[...]

Can only echo what others have said, suicide is possibly the most sad and heartbreaking issue. When people are crippled with depression and suicidal thoughts they not themselves, the illness is in control. If you want to blame something then blame the illness not the person. The person is no more to blame than someone who gets cancer is to blame, they have no choice, no control and it is out of their hands.

I understand the feelings of anger which comes across as ignorance or even cold and hard.

We all know that energy cannot be destroyed, it has to change into something else or be transferred, it's basic physics. I see the same with suicide. All that hopelessness and sadness, desperation has to go somewhere when the person dies, it cant just vanish. It very often is transferred to the people who loved and cared for the person, they have to carry that pain for the rest of their lives. That I can see how people can say suicide is selfish or cowardly, but again it is commenting on the issue without realising that the person is not in control or is even capable of realising what they are going to do.

It's something that people cant understand until they have been through it themselves, even then if you have suffered with those issues then you've only had a tiny taste, the proof is that you're still here.

It doesn't mean you are weak, a coward or soft.

Hate the illness not the tortured soul who has fought for as long as they can and lost themselves.

I couldn't have put it in better words Cap, wisdom is what it is. With time, pain and struggle can help us grow through acceptance. Life is but a journey...

[mash]

Can only echo what others have said, suicide is possibly the most sad and heartbreaking issue. When people are crippled with depression and suicidal thoughts they not themselves, the illness is in control. If you want to blame something then blame the illness not the person. The person is no more to blame than someone who gets cancer is to blame, they have no choice, no control and it is out of their hands.

I understand the feelings of anger which comes across as ignorance or even cold and hard.

We all know that energy cannot be destroyed, it has to change into something else or be transferred, it's basic physics. I see the same with suicide. All that hopelessness and sadness, desperation has to go somewhere when the person dies, it cant just vanish. It very often is transferred to the people who loved and cared for the person, they have to carry that pain for the rest of their lives. That I can see how people can say suicide is selfish or cowardly, but again it is commenting on the issue without realising that the person is not in control or is even capable of realising what they are going to do.

It's something that people cant understand until they have been through it themselves, even then if you have suffered with those issues then you've only had a tiny taste, the proof is that you're still here.

It doesn't mean you are weak, a coward or soft.

Hate the illness not the tortured soul who has fought for as long as they can and lost themselves.

This is such a great post. I treat mental illness, and I often use the analogy of hypertension, or cancer, or heart disease. In fact, someone who dies of acute coronary syndrome had more of a chance to prevent their death in most instances than someone who dies of suicide.

Imagine how tortured Robin Williams must have been, with everything he had to live for, to have done what he did.

[LGC]

Can only echo what others have said, suicide is possibly the most sad and heartbreaking issue. When people are crippled with depression and suicidal thoughts they not themselves, the illness is in control. If you want to blame something then blame the illness not the person. The person is no more to blame than someone who gets cancer is to blame, they have no choice, no control and it is out of their hands.

I understand the feelings of anger which comes across as ignorance or even cold and hard.

We all know that energy cannot be destroyed, it has to change into something else or be transferred, it's basic physics. I see the same with suicide. All that hopelessness and sadness, desperation has to go somewhere when the person dies, it cant just vanish. It very often is transferred to the people who loved and cared for the person, they have to carry that pain for the rest of their lives. That I can see how people can say suicide is selfish or cowardly, but again it is commenting on the issue without realising that the person is not in control or is even capable of realising what they are going to do.

It's something that people cant understand until they have been through it themselves, even then if you have suffered with those issues then you've only had a tiny taste, the proof is that you're still here.

It doesn't mean you are weak, a coward or soft.

Hate the illness not the tortured soul who has fought for as long as they can and lost themselves.

Very insightful post! I have first hand experience, so it makes me mad to see people say.... that person is a coward... shake it off... he took the easy way out... everyone has tough times... I'm able to deal with my demons, etc. No matter how educated a person thinks they are on the topic, it is never fair to compare another person's condition to your own, or anyone else's.

[CaptainQuintero]

I'd highly recommend watching 'Man of the year' if anyone hasn't seen it along with 'Jakob the liar' and 'what dreams may come'.

Apparently he was never eligible for any awards for his work as the genie in Aladin because it was all ad-lib, he literally had no script to work off and did it all by instinct.

[Paul3]

Very well put Cap. It is not hard to understand both perspectives on suicide and one wonders which party suffers more, those left behind or the tortured soul that felt it could take no more. Tragic for all involved.

[Diamondog]

one wonders which party suffers more, those left behind or the tortured soul that felt it could take no more. Tragic for all involved.

Hands down those left behind, they'll be dealing with the aftermath for the rest of their lives where as his misery is over.

[Colt45]

My favorites might just be The World According to Garp, and Hook - GWH - no doubt he had great range.....

[mncz]

Hook! That was a great one.

Quintero said it, man. and Mash furthered the point. To anyone who has trouble imagining how an individual in such a position of perceived wealth could feel bad enough to approach suicide: the amount torment that drives them to lose it all is far more perplexing.

I might call it insensitive to call such an act cowardly. Many years ago, my position on the matter was quite the opposite. Today I would consider the possibility that despite their immense sadness, his family might at least take comfort in the fact that he finally found peace.

So many excellent roles and a hilarious comedic presence. He left us with plenty, and I hope he knew that well before departing.

Nanu nanu!

[IPORTER]

RIP very sad indeed. Terrible loss

[MIKA27]

Thought I'd share this...

Koko the gorilla mourns the loss of her special friend, Robin Williams

Robin Williams could make anyone laugh — even a gorilla. In fact, the actor forged such a bond with one gorilla that she’s said to be mourning the loss of her friend.

Back in 2001, Williams visited the Gorilla Foundation in California and met with Koko, a gorilla who uses American Sign Language to communicate. During their encounter, Williams and Koko laughed, tickled each other and hugged like old friends.

On Monday, Koko overheard Dr. Penny Patterson, her mentor and surrogate mother, talking on the phone about Williams’ death. “She became extremely sad,” Patterson wrote on Koko.org.

“Robin’s ability to just ‘hang out’ with Koko, a gorilla, and in minutes become one of her closest friends, was extraordinary and unforgettable,” Patterson continued in a tribute post to Williams, who was an ambassador for Great Ape conservation.

The Gorilla Foundation resurfaced this 2001 video of the meeting between Koko and Williams

“I recently had a mind-altering experience communicating with a gorilla,” Williams said in the video.

“We shared something extraordinary: Laughter. Koko understands spoken English and uses over 1,000 signs to share her feelings and thoughts about daily events, life, love, even death. It was awesome and unforgettable.”

Koko's handlers took this photo of the gorilla reacting to the news of Robin Williams' death. "Koko became very somber, with her head bowed and her lip quivering," they said.

Koko felt so comfortable with Williams during their 2001 encounter that she pulled his glasses off his face and tried them on. She also picked his pocket, producing his wallet and rifling through it.

Near the end of their meeting, Koko kissed Williams’ hand, then pulled him in for a big hug.

“Notice that Robin made Koko smile — something she hadn’t done for over six months, ever since her childhood gorilla companion, Michael, passed away at the age of 27,” Patterson wrote. “But not only did Robin cheer up Koko, the effect was mutual, and Robin seemed transformed.”

[Blippio]

Met him once. He was so nice and unassuming... still funny but in a very reserved, under the breath, sort of way. Such a bummer.

A friend posted this on another site from GWH... said that he ad-libbed it (not sure if that's true)... Still, I got goose bumps when I read it.

"Thought about what you said to me the other day, about my painting. Stayed up half the night thinking about it. Something occurred to me... fell into a deep peaceful sleep, and haven't thought about you since. Do you know what occurred to me? You're just a kid, you don't have the faintest idea what you're talkin' about. You've never been out of Boston.
So if I asked you about art, you'd probably give me the skinny on every art book ever written. Michelangelo, you know a lot about him. Life's work, political aspirations, him and the pope, sexual orientations, the whole works, right? But I'll bet you can't tell me what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel. You've never actually stood there and looked up at that beautiful ceiling; seen that. If I ask you about women, you'd probably give me a syllabus about your personal favorites. You may have even been laid a few times. But you can't tell me what it feels like to wake up next to a woman and feel truly happy. You're a tough kid. And I'd ask you about war, you'd probably throw Shakespeare at me, right, "once more unto the breach dear friends." But you've never been near one. You've never held your best friend's head in your lap, watch him gasp his last breath looking to you for help. I'd ask you about love, you'd probably quote me a sonnet. But you've never looked at a woman and been totally vulnerable. Known someone that could level you with her eyes, feeling like God put an angel on earth just for you. Who could rescue you from the depths of hell. And you wouldn't know what it's like to be her angel, to have that love for her, be there forever, through anything, through cancer. And you wouldn't know about sleeping sitting up in the hospital room for two months, holding her hand, because the doctors could see in your eyes, that the terms "visiting hours" don't apply to you. You don't know about real loss, 'cause it only occurs when you've loved something more than you love yourself. And I doubt you've ever dared to love anybody that much. And look at you... I don't see an intelligent, confident man... I see a cocky, scared shitless kid. But you're a genius Will. No one denies that. No one could possibly understand the depths of you. But you presume to know everything about me because you saw a painting of mine, and you ripped my ******* life apart. You're an orphan right?
You think I know the first thing about how hard your life has been, how you feel, who you are, because I read Oliver Twist? Does that encapsulate you? Personally... I don't give a **** about all that, because you know what, I can't learn anything from you, I can't read in some ****in' book. Unless you want to talk about you, who you are. Then I'm fascinated. I'm in. But you don't want to do that do you sport? You're terrified of what you might say. Your move, chief."

Such a masterful actor! (and comedian)

[MIKA27]

Met him once. He was so nice and unassuming... still funny but in a very reserved, under the breath, sort of way. Such a bummer.

A friend posted this on another site from GWH... said that he ad-libbed it (not sure if that's true)... Still, I got goose bumps when I read it.

"Thought about what you said to me the other day, about my painting. Stayed up half the night thinking about it. Something occurred to me... fell into a deep peaceful sleep, and haven't thought about you since. Do you know what occurred to me? You're just a kid, you don't have the faintest idea what you're talkin' about. You've never been out of Boston.

So if I asked you about art, you'd probably give me the skinny on every art book ever written. Michelangelo, you know a lot about him. Life's work, political aspirations, him and the pope, sexual orientations, the whole works, right? But I'll bet you can't tell me what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel. You've never actually stood there and looked up at that beautiful ceiling; seen that. If I ask you about women, you'd probably give me a syllabus about your personal favorites. You may have even been laid a few times. But you can't tell me what it feels like to wake up next to a woman and feel truly happy. You're a tough kid. And I'd ask you about war, you'd probably throw Shakespeare at me, right, "once more unto the breach dear friends." But you've never been near one. You've never held your best friend's head in your lap, watch him gasp his last breath looking to you for help. I'd ask you about love, you'd probably quote me a sonnet. But you've never looked at a woman and been totally vulnerable. Known someone that could level you with her eyes, feeling like God put an angel on earth just for you. Who could rescue you from the depths of hell. And you wouldn't know what it's like to be her angel, to have that love for her, be there forever, through anything, through cancer. And you wouldn't know about sleeping sitting up in the hospital room for two months, holding her hand, because the doctors could see in your eyes, that the terms "visiting hours" don't apply to you. You don't know about real loss, 'cause it only occurs when you've loved something more than you love yourself. And I doubt you've ever dared to love anybody that much. And look at you... I don't see an intelligent, confident man... I see a cocky, scared shitless kid. But you're a genius Will. No one denies that. No one could possibly understand the depths of you. But you presume to know everything about me because you saw a painting of mine, and you ripped my ******* life apart. You're an orphan right?

You think I know the first thing about how hard your life has been, how you feel, who you are, because I read Oliver Twist? Does that encapsulate you? Personally... I don't give a **** about all that, because you know what, I can't learn anything from you, I can't read in some ****in' book. Unless you want to talk about you, who you are. Then I'm fascinated. I'm in. But you don't want to do that do you sport? You're terrified of what you might say. Your move, chief."

Such a masterful actor! (and comedian)

Good Will Hunting - Great role

[mncz]

Hook! That was a great one.

Quintero said it, man. and Mash furthered the point. To anyone who has trouble imagining how an individual in such a position of perceived wealth could feel bad enough to approach suicide: the amount torment that drives them to lose it all is far more perplexing.

I might call it insensitive to call such an act cowardly. Many years ago, my position on the matter was quite the opposite. Today I would consider the possibility that despite their immense sadness, his family might at least take comfort in the fact that he finally found peace.

So many excellent roles and a hilarious comedic presence. He left us with plenty, and I hope he knew that well before departing.

Nanu nanu!

Met him once. He was so nice and unassuming... still funny but in a very reserved, under the breath, sort of way. Such a bummer.

A friend posted this on another site from GWH... said that he ad-libbed it (not sure if that's true)... Still, I got goose bumps when I read it.

"Thought about what you said to me the other day, about my painting. Stayed up half the night thinking about it. Something occurred to me... fell into a deep peaceful sleep, and haven't thought about you since. Do you know what occurred to me? You're just a kid, you don't have the faintest idea what you're talkin' about. You've never been out of Boston.

So if I asked you about art, you'd probably give me the skinny on every art book ever written. Michelangelo, you know a lot about him. Life's work, political aspirations, him and the pope, sexual orientations, the whole works, right? But I'll bet you can't tell me what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel. You've never actually stood there and looked up at that beautiful ceiling; seen that. If I ask you about women, you'd probably give me a syllabus about your personal favorites. You may have even been laid a few times. But you can't tell me what it feels like to wake up next to a woman and feel truly happy. You're a tough kid. And I'd ask you about war, you'd probably throw Shakespeare at me, right, "once more unto the breach dear friends." But you've never been near one. You've never held your best friend's head in your lap, watch him gasp his last breath looking to you for help. I'd ask you about love, you'd probably quote me a sonnet. But you've never looked at a woman and been totally vulnerable. Known someone that could level you with her eyes, feeling like God put an angel on earth just for you. Who could rescue you from the depths of hell. And you wouldn't know what it's like to be her angel, to have that love for her, be there forever, through anything, through cancer. And you wouldn't know about sleeping sitting up in the hospital room for two months, holding her hand, because the doctors could see in your eyes, that the terms "visiting hours" don't apply to you. You don't know about real loss, 'cause it only occurs when you've loved something more than you love yourself. And I doubt you've ever dared to love anybody that much. And look at you... I don't see an intelligent, confident man... I see a cocky, scared shitless kid. But you're a genius Will. No one denies that. No one could possibly understand the depths of you. But you presume to know everything about me because you saw a painting of mine, and you ripped my ******* life apart. You're an orphan right?

You think I know the first thing about how hard your life has been, how you feel, who you are, because I read Oliver Twist? Does that encapsulate you? Personally... I don't give a **** about all that, because you know what, I can't learn anything from you, I can't read in some ****in' book. Unless you want to talk about you, who you are. Then I'm fascinated. I'm in. But you don't want to do that do you sport? You're terrified of what you might say. Your move, chief."

Such a masterful actor! (and comedian)

After writing my reply above in this thread, I couldn't help but feel the loss associated with Mr. Williams' passing. I stayed up late and smoked a cigar while watching Good Will Hunting. In doing so, I also wrote a review which will stand as my memorial to an actor whose compassionate spirit in many roles has stayed with me from my childhood into my adult life. The link is in my signature.