Robin Williams Dead

[JPhillips]

They just announced on CBS at the end of the news.

edit: Apparently suicide.

[DaddyTorgo]

You're kidding me.

[JPhillips]

From his family:

“Robin Williams passed away this morning. He has been battling severe depression of late. This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.”

[DaddyTorgo]

Um...wow.

[RainMaker]

Wow.

[DaddyTorgo]

Sucks. The world is a less joyful place today.

[Kodos]

Crap.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Went back to rehab, reportedly for alcohol issues, last month after 20 years sober.


And, before anyone gets tripped up by it, at least one of the sites known for doing death hoaxes (massmedia) already has circulated a story claiming this true one is a fake.

Sadly, it isn't.

[GrantDawg]

I can't express how stunned.

[heybrad]

What a bummer.

[ColtCrazy]

I am shocked and really saddened by this.

[Eaglesfan27]

Very tragic.

[Scoobz0202]

God damn it.

[AnalBumCover]

:(

[MrBug708]

So sad...:(

[cuervo72]

Holy shit.

[Buccaneer]

I was in my high school years watching Happy Days when he burst on the scene and he became the talk of the nation (pre-internet days). I will never forget that and he had remained a favorite ever since. RIP.

[Scoobz0202]

I'm watching Good Will Hunting tonight

[MizzouRah]

I just saw this.. very sad indeed. :(

[Neon_Chaos]

:(

[SirFozzie]

Those most able to make others laugh are sometimes the most in need of it to lighten their soul.

RIP, Funnyman.

[cartman]

Orson finally called Mork home :(

[BYU 14]

This is really shocking, even more so if the reports of suicide are true. Would be one of the last guys I would have tabbed for that.

very, very tragic......RIP :(

[Fidatelo]

I think my first introduction to Williams was probably in Popeye but my first real impression from him was Good Morning Vietnam, which I think has stood as my favourite movie of his. Amazingly talented man, sad he went out like that.

[BillJasper]

Hope he finds the peace in death that he couldn't find in life.

[Dutch]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QD9QAAEfQEA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Here's a pretty cool video of Robin Williams about 8 years ago supporting the troops. Funny even when interrupted by military tradition and protocols! RIP...sad day for us all, Robin.

[SteveMax58]

:(

RIP Robin & thanks for all the joy your brought to others

[Kodos]

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t446/KodosForPrez/screen-shot-2013-10-30-at-10-54-42-pm_zps4da5337e.png (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/KodosForPrez/media/screen-shot-2013-10-30-at-10-54-42-pm_zps4da5337e.png.html)

[Thomkal]

hard to believe that someone who brought such joy and laughter to others could be so sad and depressed on the inside. Had fought addiction and depression for most of his adult life, so I can't say I'm very surprised that this is how it ended for him.

Way back in the 80's, he had a show at my middle of nowhere college in upstate NY just minutes from the Canadian border. Had an opening act that got booed off the stage. Robin chided us for doing so and cut short his performance I think as a result. Never forgot that, and was a fan ever since. RIP.

[Radii]

I'm not sure if Dead Poets Society or Good Morning Vietnam is my favorite Robin Williams movie, it might depend on the day or my mood, but both are wonderful and made me a pretty big fan of his when i was younger.

He was also in one of my favorite episodes of Louie, both because of the wonderful, weird storytelling of Louis CK but also because of how great I thought Williams appearance was.

Shit, this one hits pretty hard as far as celebrity deaths go.

[rowech]

Stomach punch. I'll go off the grid a bit and say that if you can find the episode of "Inside the Actors Studio" that he was on, you should watch. His genius was on absolute full display for nearly two hours.

[Buccaneer]

Stomach punch. I'll go off the grid a bit and say that if you can find the episode of "Inside the Actors Studio" that he was on, you should watch. His genius was on absolute full display for nearly two hours.

I fully concur with this. I think it was the best episode ever.

[Buccaneer]

As far as movies, for me it's a toss-up between Good Morning Vietnam and Aladdin.

[Matthean]

Stomach punch. I'll go off the grid a bit and say that if you can find the episode of "Inside the Actors Studio" that he was on, you should watch. His genius was on absolute full display for nearly two hours.

Inside The Actors Studio with Robin Williams | cloudy.ec - Your next generation video portal (https://www.cloudy.ec/v/f5c7091004bcc)

[Lathum]

Wow.

Too early.

[Jas_lov]

I loved Aladdin, Hook, Jumanji, Mrs Doubtfire as a kid. My favorite of his is probably Good Morning Vietnam. I saw that Inside the Actors Studio where he just got up and started improvising for the class. He was a genius.

[cartman]

His improv skills were otherworldly. When he was on, it was incredible. Yet he was also able to turn that off and excel at the serious dramatic roles. My favorite movie of his would be Awakenings.

[chinaski]

He was the first star I remember truly loving. I grew up with Mork and was a big fan ever since. shazbot.

[rowech]

Inside The Actors Studio with Robin Williams | cloudy.ec - Your next generation video portal (https://www.cloudy.ec/v/f5c7091004bcc)

Thanks for posting this.

[MacroGuru]

Wow....this one has made me emotional...like very emotional. Robin became one of my favorite actors with his role in Dead Poets Society and followed it up with his role on Good Morning Vietnam. Honestly, I am sad and if I wasn't at the softball field when news of this broke, I would have been in tears.

I posted this on FB..

Robin Williams death is one of those celebrity deaths that is kind of rough to take. Dead Poets Society (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dead-Poets-Society/112705375408838) came out right as I was at the age the movie spoke to and about. It was a beacon of light, a ray of light telling me to seize the day and that I was the captain of my own destiny. Robin has always been John Keating to me and truly someone whose acting influenced me. I know he battled his demons but you can always say Robin truly sucked the marrow out of life. And for tonight, I will sound my Barbaric YAWP for you Mr. Keating

[Kodos]

DPS was my favorite movie of his as well. It was the role where he showed he had some dramatic acting chops.

[SnowMan]

Wow....this one has made me emotional...like very emotional. Robin became one of my favorite actors with his role in Dead Poets Society and followed it up with his role on Good Morning Vietnam. Honestly, I am sad and if I wasn't at the softball field when news of this broke, I would have been in tears.

I posted this on FB..

Robin Williams death is one of those celebrity deaths that is kind of rough to take. Dead Poets Society (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dead-Poets-Society/112705375408838) came out right as I was at the age the movie spoke to and about. It was a beacon of light, a ray of light telling me to seize the day and that I was the captain of my own destiny. Robin has always been John Keating to me and truly someone whose acting influenced me. I know he battled his demons but you can always say Robin truly sucked the marrow out of life. And for tonight, I will sound my Barbaric YAWP for you Mr. Keating

You summed up my feelings exactly. I still get chills/emotional when I watch DPS after all these years. I will have to make time to watch some of my favorite Robin Williams movies this weekend.

[vex]

DPS was my favorite movie of his as well. It was the role where he showed he had some dramatic acting chops.

Same here.

[JPhillips]

One Hour Photo is maybe his most underrated film. The story is so-so, but his performance is really good.

[stevew]

Not a super fan of much of his last 15 years of work but the rehab thing recently sounded scary and I guess I wasn't surprised having heard that. I'm glad he brought other people a lot of joy. Too soon, I think he could have has a great run on a cable drama cause I liked his work in that arena.

[AENeuman]

Had his kids in some Y programs I worked at, always got quiet when he was around.

Most memorable time seeing him was at the blood donation center on 9/11. Like most people we didn't know what to do and went to donate blood. The line was around the block and Robin and his wife were walking the line giving out cookies.

[Galaril]

Mork and Mindy - Mork experiences losing a friend - YouTube (http://youtu.be/4fwlHac2bIQ)

[JPhillips]

You should watch anything you can find with Williams and Jonathan Winters. I remember a fantastic Carson segment with the two of them, but the one I found on Youtube was a later interview.

[NobodyHere]

Saw this on Gameinformer, thought it was cute.

<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bINUfbLV_0M" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe>

And anyone who names his daughter Zelda has to be a great person!

[JonInMiddleGA]

You should watch anything you can find with Williams and Jonathan Winters. I remember a fantastic Carson segment with the two of them, but the one I found on Youtube was a later interview.

Is this the one you wanted or the one you found?

<object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/_NqEKvk9F4I?version=3&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/_NqEKvk9F4I?version=3&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>

[JPhillips]

That's the one I found. There's one from probably the mid-eighties that I remember that was very funny.

[NobodyHere]

I think I'll get drunk tomorrow and watch Death to Smoochy (one of my favorite Robin Williams performances).

[Julio Riddols]

I thought my coworker was fucking with me when I got in tonight. Sad to know she isn't. Feel bad for his kids and wife, not to mention everyone else who knew and loved him.

[Julio Riddols]

I think I'll get drunk tomorrow and watch Death to Smoochy (one of my favorite Robin Williams performances).

Rainbow Randolph will be getting some play at my house as well.

[chadritt]

Im about to watch The Fisher King for the first time...Ive been meaning to see it ever since Jeff Bridges talked about filming it with him a couple of weeks ago on Reddit.

[Buccaneer]

Every time I watch golf, I am reminded of this classic (sorry for picking a low quality one)

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xDQd49rEF_0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Neon_Chaos]

A man goes into the doctors, ‘Doctor,’ he says, ‘can you help me? Life doesn’t seem worth living, and I am shrouded in constant gloom.’ ‘My good man,’ says the doctor, taking a good look at the melancholy face before him, ‘there is only one cure for you. You must go and see Grimaldi the clown.’ ‘Sir,’ replies the patient, ‘I am Grimaldi the clown.’

RIP. :(

[tucker rocky]

Of all the comedy actors, it would have to be Robin Williams.
Committed suicide by asphyxiation? Really?! This was not the answer, such shock, sadness, and disappointment.

RIP :(


Here is a moment of rembrance:

EDIT: NSFW language.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/inbhtK80LBc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Qwikshot]

I'm still at a loss over this. I listened to the Mark Maron WTF podcast and it just re-enforced what I loved about the guy in that he was manic but he was a good person (I remember the Comic Relief on HBO).

It's a great loss.

[PackerFanatic]

So, so sad. Will always be one of my all-time favorites.

[johnnyshaka]

I had this poster on my wall as a kid. :(

http://thumbs2.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/minSAsbMEVQoJeyVOHLXavQ.jpg

[tucker rocky]

Anyone remember this clip:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/V5TXEUiR1Xk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[molson]

Conan O'Brien breaking the news to the audience at his show.

The Emotional Moment Conan O'Brien Learned Of Robin Williams' Death - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIkSDcHJzNI)

[molson]

I'm sure everybody's heard it but I always loved this story about Robin Williams barging into Christopher Reeve's hospital room, posing as a proctologist, and telling Reeve he needed to examine him immediately.

The Incredible Gift Robin Williams Gave Christopher Reeve - Esquire (http://www.esquire.com/blogs/news/robin-williams-christopher-reeve)

I've thought before, not just after his death, that I wish I had the balls to be a friend like that....it can be easy to be nervous and confused about how to communicate with friends that have been through something, it's a unique confidence and clear-headedness to be aware enough to realize that your friend may need an over-the-top laugh, some happiness, a little hope for the future.

[JediKooter]

This is one of the rare ones that makes me truly sad. He could always make me laugh no matter what mood I was in. The world is a lot less funny now that he is gone.

[jeff061]

Gilbert Gottfried wrote a pretty good column:

Gottfried: Robin Williams' generous heart (Opinion) - CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/12/opinion/gottfried-robin-williams/index.html)

[jeff061]

And yes, seems like decent people and celebrities die every day, I rarely give these passings a second thought. It's part of life.

But Robin, simply put, is a cut above the rest. This one was hard to hear.

[Thomkal]

Anyone remember this clip:

<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/V5TXEUiR1Xk?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe>

Had never seen that before, thanks for showing it.

[JediKooter]

And yes, seems like decent people and celebrities die every day, I rarely give these passings a second thought. It's part of life.

But Robin, simply put, is a cut above the rest. This one was hard to hear.

This.

[cartman]

Norm MacDonald paying tribute via a Twitter story.

Norm MacDonald May Have Just Written the Best Tribute To Robin Williams Yet | The Daily Banter (http://thedailybanter.com/2014/08/norm-macdonald-may-just-written-best-tribute-robin-williams-yet/)

[PilotMan]

Norm MacDonald paying tribute via a Twitter story.

Norm MacDonald May Have Just Written the Best Tribute To Robin Williams Yet | The Daily Banter (http://thedailybanter.com/2014/08/norm-macdonald-may-just-written-best-tribute-robin-williams-yet/)

Thanks for that. This loss is just universally hard. One of a kind.

[BYU 14]

Norm MacDonald paying tribute via a Twitter story.

Norm MacDonald May Have Just Written the Best Tribute To Robin Williams Yet | The Daily Banter (http://thedailybanter.com/2014/08/norm-macdonald-may-just-written-best-tribute-robin-williams-yet/)

That was classic, and perfect.

[Thomkal]

If you are still playing World of Warcraft, look for an in-game tribute to Robin Williams soon:

http://www.pcgamer.com/2014/08/13/world-of-warcraft-player-petition-leads-to-in-game-robin-williams-tribute/

[CU Tiger]

Why genius and madness are connected | MNN - Mother Nature Network (http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/research-innovations/stories/why-genius-and-madness-are-connected)

[Matthean]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oziLWy5IVo8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Thomkal]

This may help to explain why he killed himself:

Robin Williams Suffered From Parkinson's Disease, Wife Reveals In Touching Statement (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/14/robin-williams-parkinsons_n_5679283.html)

My dad suffered and died from what we thought for a long time was Parkinson's Disease (but actually a very similar disease we found out shortly before he died). Wouldn't want anyone to experience that, and from what I read Robin was always worried about something that would take his gifts away from him.

[JediKooter]

damn

[Matthean]

Considering Michael J. Fox's fight against the disease, it is kind of frustrating to see Robin cave so early.

[chadritt]

Consider the clinical depression and addiction issues on top of it...

[ColtCrazy]

Why genius and madness are connected | MNN - Mother Nature Network (http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/research-innovations/stories/why-genius-and-madness-are-connected)

I can completely understand this. I suffer from severe depression, anxiety disorder, and am borderline bipolar. I am 150 pages into my novel. I have days when I can write pages and pages and then ideas never stop flowing. I also have days where I simply have trouble motivating to pour a cup of coffee. I have a love/hate relationship with my mind. I love how I can get into spurts where I can come up with ideas for work, solve complex games or problems on a whim, or work on my writing pastime, but I hate how I can have a day where I simply can't get started and struggle to even make end roads to make simple decisions. Knowing what Williams struggled with and knowing my own struggles, Williams death hit me a little harder than it would have. My wife simply said that's because that was me 2 years ago.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I also have days where I simply have trouble motivating to pour a cup of coffee.

My worst (well, arguably) was the utter impossibility to go to the mailbox some number of years ago.

It wasn't 25 yards away, I could have easily punted a football past it but it looked & felt like the other side of the Sahara. On bad days I could not grasp the notion of being able to go there & come back, it was as impossible to me as flying to the moon without aid of a spaceship.

[Suicane75]

So you're admitting you have a spaceship.

[JonInMiddleGA]

So you're admitting you have a spaceship.

"Fly me to the mooooon ... "

[JediKooter]

I can't imagine what depression would be like on top of struggling to stay sober and the extra added bonus of knowing you are in the early stages of parkinsons. It would be almost, "why bother with sobriety?", in my opinion. I can also see that if the reason he did kill himself was so he could go out on his terms and not when parkinsons has totally ravaged his mind and body.

I get severe depression too, it runs in the family on my moms side. Two of my moms four sisters killed themselves. There's days, weeks, months, that I see absolutely no reason to get out of bed other than what I am obligated to do and I am completely exhausted by the time I get back home due to trying to maintain a 'normal' exterior to others.

[Eaglesfan27]

Depression, Bipolar, Schizophrenia and many other diseases are incredibly tough to battle by themselves. Add addiction issues which are often co-morbid and the stress of a new diagnosis of a degenerative disease that can ravish the mind and body... It is terribly tragic. So sad to see anyone succumb to suicide.

[NobodyHere]

I think I'll get drunk tomorrow and watch Death to Smoochy (one of my favorite Robin Williams performances).

well I made good on this post tonight. It gives the scene where Rainbow Randolph almost immolates himself a whole new poignancy. You have to wonder what Robin Williams was thinking when he caught the bus. The scene made me cry.

[NobodyHere]

Friends come in all sizes indeed.

[Autumn]

<snip> and I am completely exhausted by the time I get back home due to trying to maintain a 'normal' exterior to others.

This I think is a key point. Those of us who have struggled with depression know exactly what you mean,a nd imagine how much harder it must be to maintain that exterior when you are a celebrity? It's hard enough just dealing with close family and friends, people you run into during the day. Imagine doing that when you're an internationally known person, expected to be entertaining and amusing. It must have been light years beyond exhausting.

[frnk55]

My dad has depression and I'm so glad I don't. Horrible to deal with.

[JediKooter]

This I think is a key point. Those of us who have struggled with depression know exactly what you mean,a nd imagine how much harder it must be to maintain that exterior when you are a celebrity? It's hard enough just dealing with close family and friends, people you run into during the day. Imagine doing that when you're an internationally known person, expected to be entertaining and amusing. It must have been light years beyond exhausting.

Oh man, absolutely. I couldn't even imagine what someone like him would have gone through, especially since practically everyone expects him to be funny. As you said, light years beyond exhausting. I honestly don't know if I could handle it for as long as he did.

[DaddyTorgo]

I was "mildly clinically depressed" in HS and it fucked me up good. I can only imagine what severe depression would do to a celebrity based on my experiences, but man...that must have been exhausting.

Even just dealing with it on the level I did it still pisses me off when people are like "depression's not a real thing."

[cartman]

Letterman's tribute

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[JediKooter]

I was "mildly clinically depressed" in HS and it fucked me up good. I can only imagine what severe depression would do to a celebrity based on my experiences, but man...that must have been exhausting.

Even just dealing with it on the level I did it still pisses me off when people are like "depression's not a real thing."

I agree. Advice to anyone that thinks depression isn't real...just keep it to yourself.

[Qwikshot]

Billy Crystal's tribute at the Emmy's was beautiful and sad...but nothing was more sad then that last clip of Robin talking to his son (on stage persona)...I teared up.

I cannot believe this guy is gone.

[Lathum]

Billy Crystal's tribute at the Emmy's was beautiful and sad...but nothing was more sad then that last clip of Robin talking to his son (on stage persona)...I teared up.

I cannot believe this guy is gone.

yeah, it was really good, not sure how Crystal kept it together.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

yeah, it was really good, not sure how Crystal kept it together.

A couple times he nearly lost it, especially at the beginning.

[Buccaneer]

This tribute to Robin is amazing. It blows my mind how one can be so artistically inclined to do something like this

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YIaEaB3tbWc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>