A couple days ago, it was announced that Robin Williams, the star of so many iconic films, had committed suicide in his home at age 63. Once the news broke, millions around the world voiced their sadness on Twitter and Facebook. Just how shocking was it? This death was so huge, that for a couple house, almost ALL the trending topics that we're not ads were Robin Williams movies.
If this doesn't prove how much of an impact he's left on the world, I have no clue what will.
Since that fateful day, many have speculated how Robin Williams, a man responsible for bringing so much joy and laughter to the whole world for decades, felt so depressed and sad enough to take his own life. Recently, it's been revealed that the actor had been facing financial problems, had to pay his ex-wives alimony, was a recovering drug addict, and on top of it all, had heart issues.
But that's not why I'm writing this article. The reason I want to write this article is to write about his life and career, talk a little about depression and how you and someone you know can cure it, and then share what Robin Williams meant to me.
Robin Williams was born in Chicago, IL, on July 21, 1952. He studied Drama at Julliard, and was classmates and buddies with the Man of Steel himself, Christopher Reeve.
Williams started doing stand-up in the early 70s, and continued doing it throughout the 80s and 2000s. His schtick involved celebrity and cartoon impressions, observational humor, dark humor, wacky humor, and physical humor. Here is a taste of his mastery in stand-up. Please don't be eating or drinking anything while watching.
Williams got his start in the business with the Happy Days spin-off, Mork & Mindy, where he played an alien. When he auditioned for the role, the series creator, Gary Marshall, told him to sit down, and he sat on his head. Williams was immediately chosen, because Gary Marshall said "he was the only alien who auditioned."
Robin Williams got his first major starring role in the 1980 family comedy, Popeye, based on the famous cartoon of the same name. It made history as the first live-action film based on a cartoon. And we're still seeing this with films today like Alvin and the Chipmunks, Scooby-Doo, The Smurfs, etc.
Williams' breakout role was in the 1982 dramedy, The World According To Garp, based on the novel of the same name by John Irving. The critics generally liked it, and it catapulted Williams' career.
Robin Williams' was nominated for an Academy Award for playing a radio DJ in the 1987 war-comedy, Good Morning Vietnam. I'm pretty sure you've heard his famous catchphrase at least once on the radio.
The rest is history. Since them, Williams has starred in some of the most beloved and re-played films of our generation. Dead Poets Society, in which he plays an English teacher who inspires his students through poetry, and teaches them Carpe Diem ("Seize The Day"). Hook, in which he plays Peter Pan... as an adult. Mrs. Doubtfire, in which he plays a struggling actor going through divorce, who will do anything to be with his kids. Even if it means dressing up like an old woman. Birdcage, Jumanji, etc. The list goes on.
But for many kids my age, the role we remember him most as the Genie in the delightful Disney animated film, Aladdin. The minute he first burst out of that lamp, we knew we were witnessing a character like no other. He was a force of phenomenal cosmic powers trapped in eeney little living space. Since he's traveled to the past and future, he could imitate more celebrities and presidents than you can count. Even if Aladdin and his friends couldn't understand them. And who can forget his showstopping song Friend Like Me? And it's true, we've never had a friend like the Genie.
There was no denying that Robin Williams was hilarious. He could make even the most bitter man at least crack a smile. But in 1997, it was time for the funny man to get serious. He co-starred with Matt Damon (who also wrote the film with co-star Ben Affleck) in the 1997 drama Good Will Hunting. Robin Williams played Matt Damon's psychologist, and connected with him unlike any of his other psychologists. Because while his other psychologists were trying to get into Matt Damon's brain, Robin Williams' succeeded at getting into Matt Damon's heart.
Robin Williams won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor that year for the film, and after watching for the first time just yesterday, I can honestly say it was well-deserved. He'll always be the Genie to me, but Good Will Hunting has to have been his greatest role.
Even though he could take on any genre, and any medium, and raise a bar while he was at it, where Robin Williams really shined was when he was a guest on talk shows. Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, David Letterman, and Conan O' Brien, all agreed that Robin Williams was the best Talk Show guest in the world.
It's pretty much common knowledge that Robin Williams was talented. And I mean REALLY talented. He was so talented, he inspired many comedians like Eddie Murphy, Carrot Top, Josh Gad, etc. But more than that, he was also very generous. Where do I start?
He would spend much of his free time going to war zones like Iraq and Afghanistan to entertain the troops with his stand-up. And what's more amazing about that? He almost never talked about it to anyone. Because he didn't do it for publicity. He did it because he loved doing it.
He was a huge supporter of St. Jude's Hospital, donated half his earnings for Weapons of Self Destruction to the Red Cross and all of them to rebuild New Zealand City after the 2010 Cantebury Earthquake.
Now, with a more than fruitful career in movies and TV, combined with the fact that he had a wife and kids, had talent to waste, and a heart bigger than his body, many have wondered how such a wonderful soul could feel so tortured and so beside himself.
As I mentioned earlier, he had financial troubles, he had been divorced twice, his new show The Crazy Ones, which he co starred with Sarah Michelle Gellar, was cancelled after one season, he was a recovering drug addict, and had a bad case of depression.
Now why would a man who's responsible for spreading laughter and joy to billions around the world for decades have depression?
There's a great quote in Alan Moore's Watchmen, where Rorscach is talking about his friend, The Comedian. He tells a joke about a man who goes to see a doctor. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world. Doctor says "Treatment is simple. The great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go see him. That should pick you up."
Man bursts into tears. Says "But doctor... I am Pagliacci."
That couldn't be more appropriate for Robin Williams. Here was a man who could cheer anyone up, and could cure anyone else's depression with his humor, but couldn't find a way to cheer himself up. He needed help.
I've known and met people in my life who have depression. It's a serious disease that can cause someone to take their own life. As we have just witnessed with Robin Williams.
You might even know someone with depression. They may not seem like it on the outside. Perhaps whenever you see them, they always have a smile on their face. They always seem fun to be around. Maybe life is going well for them. Maybe they have a lot of money, a successful career, a loving family, and a huge circle of friends.
You know who else did? Robin Williams.
People these days have a great way of hiding their problems, their angst, their worries, and their depression. Maybe they feel embarrassed talking about it. Maybe they feel scared. Feel confused. Feel.... lost.
Whatever problem they have, whether they talk about it or not, it's up to you to help them. In honor of Robin Williams, next time you see your friends and family, give them a hug, let them know how much they mean to you, how they make your life so much better, and tell them if they ever have any problems, they can always talk to you.
If you're reading this, have depression, an shave had thoughts of killing yourself, here is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Phone Number: 1-800-273-8255.
Remember, your life is worth it.
Now that I've written about Robin Williams' life and career, and about his condition, I want to write about what he meant to me.
For as long as I can remember, since I was a little kid, I've wanted to work in show business. I wanted to be an actor/writer/director/comedian. I have had many influences as a kid. From Looney Tunes to the Muppets. But one notable influence I can think of was Robin Williams.
When I was little, I watched a lot of movies, mostly Disney movies. And one of the first movies I ever watched was Aladdin. There was a street rat with a heart of gold, a beautiful princess who wanted freedom, an evil sorcerer with a sassy parrot sidekick, a monkey, a magic carpet, and a sultan. But the character that instantly stole my heart and imagination was the Genie, played by Robin Williams. While many of the characters in the movie were serious, and were very focused on achieving their goals, here the Genie was bouncing around, doing impressions, cracking jokes, and throwing as many gags at the screen as he can. He was insane!
I thought to myself "Wow! He is having the most fun out of all the people in this movie! I wan to be just like him!"
Whenever I was at a party or at Church with my family, I would always run around, making noise, doing cartoon voices, and entertaining the adults. My parents would get a little upset with me, but the other parents seemed to enjoy my antics.
As I grew older, and watched more movies, listened to more comedians, my desire for entertaining people grew and grew and grew. I started signing up for the talent shows at my schools and Church. I would do impressions from celebrities to cartoon characters to even Star Wars characters!
Ever since 2nd Grade, I have been in at least one school play every year. Most people hate being on stage, and feel nervous. But for some reason, it's where I have always felt the most at home. Every-time I do a play, people ask me how on earth I can go out on stage in front of hundreds of people, and still do a good job? I've never really known, until now.
It's because of Robin Williams.
What Robin Williams taught me was that it's okay to be a little weird. It's okay to be different from the crowd. That you shouldn't hide the things that make you different, but share them, and embrace them.
He taught me to be brave. That you should never be afraid to make yourself look like a fool in front of hundreds of people, as long as it makes you and them happy.
He taught me that it's important to find what makes you happy, and do it. Whether it's being a sailor, an English Teacher, a Psychologist, or a Genie.
But most of all. Robin Williams taught me how important it is to make someone laugh.
How in a world of darkness, chaos, sin, and despair, doing something as simple as telling someone a joke, or doing a silly voice to make them smile, can brighten their world. It may not change their life. But it can help them out, even for a little bit.
Nowadays, we take laughter for granted. We forget just how relevant and essential it is to our lives. It's the language of the soul. It's happiness.
Robin Williams, no matter what movie he was in, no matter what show he was on, no matter what he did, he always made me laugh. He always made me happy.
And because of him, I've been inspired to make other people happy. I've been inspired to make other people forget about their lives for a while. I've been inspired to make other people laugh.
There is a quote by Robin Williams from the late 70s that goes like this:
"In life, we're only given a spark of madness. Never lose that spark. Because without that spark, you're nothing."
Thank you, Robin Williams. Thank you for helping me find my spark. Thank you for inspiring me to never lose it.
Thank you for all the joy and laughter you've given me, and everyone, over the years you've been alive. Thanks you for all your charity, all your generosity, and all your kindness to everyone around you.
This world has become much less funny since you left it. But at the same time, Heaven has become even funnier since you entered it. I know the Angels are enjoying your stand-up right now.
Thank you, Robin Williams. Rest In Peace.
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