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A great loss, I grew up on Mork and Mindy when it originally aired in the late 70s. He was a tabletop RPG gamer as well, so a part of this community.
a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy; he hath borne me on his back a thousand times
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This is a very sad day. He was one of my favorite comedians/actors. I have watched so many bad movies because he was in them. :(
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A real loss...I am gonna miss that man.
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We have lost a true genius. He had a rare talent, a gift to bring joy to so many people. It is truly a sad day for all. My condolences to his family and friends.
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Dammit.
First time I saw him was his guest appearance as Mork on Happy Days. I cannot tell you how many times I've watched that episode - as well as Mork and Mindy - over the years just because he was in them.
Dang, I'm feeling a Robin Williams marathon coming on over the next few days.
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It's a very strange sensation.
I'm very sad - shocked, in some ways.
In other ways... I'm not really surprised. I can't really say why, exactly.
I never expected this, or even thought of it. But when I heard about it last night, I both denied it, but also thought that it made a tragic kind of sense.
So maybe it's some form of denial.
But I know this: I will miss him. He's one of the few comedians who have been an integral part of my life, and it'll probably be quite some time before I fully process this.
I am so sorry for his passing. I pray for his family and friends, and for him as well.
Be well with God, and peace to you all.
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He was a true actor, able to make us laugh (Mrs. Doubtfire, The Birdcage, and too many others to list), make us cry (What Dreams May come, The Fisher King, and Awakenings are the first ones to come to mind), and make our skin crawl (Insomnia and One Hour Photo). But personally, it was the off the wall roles he played that will stick with me the most (Death to Smoochy and World's Greatest Dad).
He will be missed. :(
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Some celebrities care about money,
Others, about fame.
Still more desire sensation,
Most just have no shame.
But let us be sure to always remember:
The rare one who dared-
To raise their voice,
To cry, laugh, and love,
To shout, smile, and share.
Who taught the world to care.
The curtain has fallen, the credits have rolled,
I ask you, what shall we do?
Shall we mourn for a week and move on?
Or will we honor the memory,
Of the greats who are gone?
Will we dare to raise our voices?
To cry, laugh, and love?
To shout, smile, and share?
Shall we learn from the greatest,
And live our lives by the lessons,
Of the rare one who dared?
~Dieben~
Goodbye Robin Williams, you will be immortal in memory by planting laughter in our souls.
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Aww man.,.,
Sad day.
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I am so very sad for both the loss and for his family. :-(
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I usually dont get all chocked up over celebrities passing. But this feels different. He was special. I was lucky enough to see him perform live in some of the smaller(ish) comedy clubs in New York during my life, and I have to say, there isnt quite like it. Its like the whole world lights up when he starts talking, I even feel it watching his shows, and other work to an extent. But to see him in person was an experience that is hard to describe.
I honestly feel like something tangible is now missing from the world.
I loved his stand-up work in "Live on Broadway" 10 + years ago. Got me back on his band wagon. The last commmercial I saw where he was the voice over for...apple? microsoft? Can't remember and dont have time to look up as I'm at work, but his voice was phenomenal.
Great actor. I thought he could throw down with Pacino like the best of 'em.
Funny guy obviously.
He had interesting insights into pop culture, politics and society in general.
This is the saddest I'v been by a celebrity death in a long time.
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I wrote a poem this morning in memory of Mr Williams. (Link)
Oh Captain My Captain. What a tragedy this day.
For today, Mrs Doubtfire has gone away.
Never again will Roosevelt come alive at night
The lamp stands unrubbed tonight
Oh I long to hear “Na-nu na-nu,” from the owner of Zevo Toys.
Or be in a Birdcage where my parents are boys.
Tonight we roll the dice and get a stampede.
For now the Bicentenial Man is gone indeed.
Whether you reside in light or in dark of What Dreams May Come
Patch taught us to laugh when all else looks glum.
Fly back to us on some magic fairy dust.
For in Jakob the Liar we do trust.
Good-bye oh friend who helped us through MIT.
We miss your Flubber, oh so bouncy.
Farewell to the ducks from the Crazy Ones.
We now weep during Good Morning Vietnam reruns.
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R.I.P. Mr. Williams. ; _ ;
I'm seriously on the verge of tears about this. I've had family members pass away without getting this worked up about it. WTF?
I can't think of another time I was hit this hard by a celebrity passing away.
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I keep thinking of the commercial he did a few years ago with his daughter regarding the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake. And just how happy the two of them seemed about the whole silly thing.
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My feelings are hurt by this. The variety of his act, from standup to gwh and gmv, gave me the impression that he had experience with absolute euphoria as well as hopeless despair. I am grateful he could harvest that intensity and portray it through his acting.
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I have to say that, although I personally never really cared for his stuff, I'm very, very impressed at the reactions I'm seeing. I always found Williams' comedy to be too silly and his serious roles to be overdone; pretty much the only things he did I liked were "Moscow on the Hudson" and "The Fool and the Flying Ship."
But seeing how much he seems to have moved everyone else, I'd say his passing is a very great loss indeed, and I'm inclined to try harder to appreciate the works he leaves behind.
It's really too bad that he's gone. What is bothering me is the level of histrionics I'm seeing from some quarters is rather disturbing. For instance, my sister, who has never even met anyone remotely famous was gushing on FB how "absolutely devastated" she was. He was a gifted comedian and actor, and I've enjoyed all his movies (except that really dark one, where he is the villian), but I think some of the responses I've seen are a little "uncomfortably extreme". Anyone else notice this?
(Note that before anyone responds here how their post here is valid, heartfelt or any of that, I haven't read any responses except the OP on this thread, so I am not refering to "your" post.)
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It's really too bad that he's gone. What is bothering me is the level of histrionics I'm seeing from some quarters is rather disturbing. For instance, my sister, who has never even met anyone remotely famous was gushing on FB how "absolutely devastated" she was. He was a gifted comedian and actor, and I've enjoyed all his movies (except that really dark one, where he is the villian), but I think some of the responses I've seen are a little "uncomfortably extreme". Anyone else notice this?
(Note that before anyone responds here how their post here is valid, heartfelt or any of that, I haven't read any responses except the OP on this thread, so I am not refering to "your" post.)
*Smashes chairs and phones boss to quit job, tears gushing down face.* Bangarang.
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Robin touched many lives, Brox. I think most people are just shocked at how quickly the end came. Everyone has seen him in something that they loved, be it Aladdin, Good Will Hunting, Dead Poets Society or Hook. Those performances, those stories touched them at a time when they needed them. Now that person is gone, and it's clear that he needed someone in those final hours.
I don't normally get too broken up about celebrity deaths - as he said in Dead Poets Society, "we are food for worms, lads." Death is inevitable. It's just that nobody expected it just yet. I'd personally hoped that we'd have him for as long as we had Jonathan Winters. Such was not meant to be.
Damn. Genie, you are free.
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It's really too bad that he's gone. What is bothering me is the level of histrionics I'm seeing from some quarters is rather disturbing. For instance, my sister, who has never even met anyone remotely famous was gushing on FB how "absolutely devastated" she was. He was a gifted comedian and actor, and I've enjoyed all his movies (except that really dark one, where he is the villian), but I think some of the responses I've seen are a little "uncomfortably extreme". Anyone else notice this?
(Note that before anyone responds here how their post here is valid, heartfelt or any of that, I haven't read any responses except the OP on this thread, so I am not refering to "your" post.)
I was having a reaction very similar to your sister's last night. It really knocked me down and had me crying. His work meant a lot to a lot of people, self included. Add in the sadness of the details of his death (to the extent that we know them), and thinking about the joyfulness and light he could bring, even just his smile, being extinguished, and I don't think it's surprising, the reaction this has been receiving.
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It's really too bad that he's gone. What is bothering me is the level of histrionics I'm seeing from some quarters is rather disturbing. For instance, my sister, who has never even met anyone remotely famous was gushing on FB how "absolutely devastated" she was. He was a gifted comedian and actor, and I've enjoyed all his movies (except that really dark one, where he is the villian), but I think some of the responses I've seen are a little "uncomfortably extreme". Anyone else notice this?
(Note that before anyone responds here how their post here is valid, heartfelt or any of that, I haven't read any responses except the OP on this thread, so I am not refering to "your" post.)
I was having a reaction very similar to your sister's last night. It really knocked me down and had me crying. His work meant a lot to a lot of people, self included. Add in the sadness of the details of his death (to the extent that we know them), and thinking about the joyfulness and light he could bring, even just his smile, being extinguished, and I don't think it's surprising, the reaction this has been receiving.
I don't have bipolar disorder, but the Black Dog of depression and I are old "friends." To see someone like Robin throw everything he had at bringing joy to everyone else for decades, and yet never finding lasting happiness, even just simple peace, for himself... it's crushing. He fought as long as he could, as hard as he could. And in the end, the Black Dog still got him.
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I have to say that, although I personally never really cared for his stuff, I'm very, very impressed at the reactions I'm seeing. I always found Williams' comedy to be too silly and his serious roles to be overdone; pretty much the only things he did I liked were "Moscow on the Hudson" and "The Fool and the Flying Ship."
But seeing how much he seems to have moved everyone else, I'd say his passing is a very great loss indeed, and I'm inclined to try harder to appreciate the works he leaves behind.
I greatly appreciate this reply. Yesterday I had someone on my Facebook friends list also mention he was not much of a fan, but at the same time was extremely dismissive about the outpouring of grief and sense of loss being expressed by many others. Didn't remove him from my friends list, but his posts will now no longer appear on my feed, at least for the time being.
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I don't have bipolar disorder, but the Black Dog of depression and I are old "friends." To see someone like Robin throw everything he had at bringing joy to everyone else for decades, and yet never finding lasting happiness, even just simple peace, for himself... it's crushing. He fought as long as he could, as hard as he could. And in the end, the Black Dog still got him.It's really too bad that he's gone. What is bothering me is the level of histrionics I'm seeing from some quarters is rather disturbing. For instance, my sister, who has never even met anyone remotely famous was gushing on FB how "absolutely devastated" she was. He was a gifted comedian and actor, and I've enjoyed all his movies (except that really dark one, where he is the villian), but I think some of the responses I've seen are a little "uncomfortably extreme". Anyone else notice this?
(Note that before anyone responds here how their post here is valid, heartfelt or any of that, I haven't read any responses except the OP on this thread, so I am not refering to "your" post.)
I was having a reaction very similar to your sister's last night. It really knocked me down and had me crying. His work meant a lot to a lot of people, self included. Add in the sadness of the details of his death (to the extent that we know them), and thinking about the joyfulness and light he could bring, even just his smile, being extinguished, and I don't think it's surprising, the reaction this has been receiving.
Sums it up for me as well. =(
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And now Lauren Bacall is gone at 89 from a stroke. :(
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And now Lauren Bacall is gone at 89 from a stroke. :(
Sad.
Too much death going on these days. Not just celebrities.
But damn, Lauren Bacall too. That voice. That look.
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I was having a reaction very similar to your sister's last night. It really knocked me down and had me crying. His work meant a lot to a lot of people, self included. Add in the sadness of the details of his death (to the extent that we know them), and thinking about the joyfulness and light he could bring, even just his smile, being extinguished, and I don't think it's surprising, the reaction this has been receiving.
"Me too" for a lot of this. I try to avoid paying attention to celebrities, but Williams was special in many ways.
And now Lauren Bacall is gone at 89 from a stroke. :(
... wow.
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I don't have bipolar disorder, but the Black Dog of depression and I are old "friends." To see someone like Robin throw everything he had at bringing joy to everyone else for decades, and yet never finding lasting happiness, even just simple peace, for himself... it's crushing. He fought as long as he could, as hard as he could. And in the end, the Black Dog still got him.
Sad few days indeed, and Ambrosia sums up the tragedy of it all perfectly. Robin's battle against depression brought to mind the Paglicci Monologue from Watchmen:
Heard joke once: Man goes to doctor. Says he's depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain.
Doctor says, "Treatment is simple. Great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go and see him. That should pick you up." Man bursts into tears. Says, "But doctor...I am Pagliacci.”
RW was, in his acting, his comedy, his wackiness and imagination, such a tonic for that emotional fog in others... sadly just not himself.
I think I've seen that Watchmen quote posted more than ten times to Williams' name or picture in the past 48 hours.
Robin Williams was a very gifted humorist. But really... sadness and happiness are not so different. I would guess his sadness was a large part of the laughter he gave. That is where humour gets its sounding box. That's where laughter gets its weight. He was not the only one.
Rest in peace.
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Through judicious selection of wonderful, brilliant people as Facebook friends, I seen little criticism of Robin Williams as a coward for taking his own life, but I'm sure it's out there. It's the typical reaction of people who have never been depressed. Suicide is selfish. It's cowardly. It's a sin.
There is some tiny bit of merit to this view. Suicide hurts those left behind, hurts them very badly. It's the final act of desparation to end unbearable pain, succumbing to a horrible disease. As for sin, I leave that to your own religion or morality to decide.
But that judgemental view of suicide needs to be turned on its head. Mr. Williams struggled against depression for many years. He fought it for decades. He should be credited for that fight, not reviled for ultimate surrender. His death points out that depression is an equal-opportunity disease. It knows no boundaries of race or sex or status. Those with money for treatment succumb, as do those who have no resources.
Robin Williams left behind a huge body of brilliant work. This is true of many others with mental illnesses. Though their minds are affected by unbalanced chemistry and their lives sometimes spin out of control, some of our most brilliant artists, writers, and statesmen grappled with mental illness during their lives. Their accomplishments should be viewed with awe in light of the constant struggle to live.
It's not only the gifted who fight that battle, though. There are tens of thousands who struggle to get out of bed every morning, to hold down jobs, to tend to families, to simply maintain a semblance of sanity and functionality. They may or may not have access to support and treatment. They may not even realize they have a treatable mental illness. They may self-medicate with legal or illegal substances. But they are all fighting, in their own way. If they are alive, they are still fighting their demons. And for that, I honor them as well. Sometimes, day-to-day living is a huge accomplishment.
I hope Mr. Williams' sad story triggers some level of compassionate and intelligent discussion about the scourge of mental illness. If we are moved to ask friends who seem down how they *really* are, encourage others to get professional help, offer a sympathetic ear, or reach out ourselves to call for assistance, then his death will have done a great service for the world. Admire his life for its brilliance and generosity. Honor his end with compassion, understanding, and outreach.
Peace.
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I think I've seen that Watchmen quote posted more than ten times to Williams' name or picture in the past 48 hours.
There was an article--one among hundreds I've seen in the past few days, so I don't recall where it originated--that focused on an interview he did a while ago where the interviewer brought up the "sad clown" archetype. Robin got very fixated on the idea, returning to it several times during the interview. Might be that someone is on to something there.