Robin Williams Appreciation.

[Finius]

Don't usually do this sort of rubbish when a celebrity snuffs it, this time though, I feel it's truly deserved.

Throughout my childhood, I can only really remember the odd bit, frankly my childhood was riddled with grief, loss and anger - and I'm not exaggerating, nor am I bitching because it made me who I am today (and I'm f**king proud of how I turned out).

One of the things that sticks out clearest in my mind is that Robin Williams starred in a great many of the go-to films that were there for me when I was down. Throughout the rest of my life, his more 'educated' and 'adult' stuff has also been hugely important to me, because frankly, anyone can be in a film, but very few people can claim to have a true talent that runs down to their very foundations.

I never met the man, I never spoke to him or had anything to do with him in his life as a 'real person' rather than as an image on a screen, but I'll be eternally grateful that when everything was going s**t for me, he made it a bit better through his work.

One of the things that's really stood out to me, is that people are really upset about this, I've seen more of my friends on Facebook getting upset over this than at any other time and I think it speaks volumes to his worth, people at work are properly shocked by it too. I think it's really sad that a man who brought joy to a large percentage of the planet can die alone in some room because he thinks he's so worthless, and it's so bad he'd be better off dead and I think for that, society has a lot to answer for - in a world where paedophiles get it cushy in prison, or murderers are executed humanely and knowing their loved ones are watching them (and can take comfort that they're at least there for them) - it's very wrong that anyone who has spent their life making people happy can be allowed to despise themselves so much that suicide is a good idea.

Anyone else feel as strongly about this as I do or am I just a tit?

Either way, let's chat s**t about our favorite Robin Williams stuff?

 

[Monty]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j1Hq8L28Us

My favourite video ever.

 

[M_P]

 

[Del Monty]

I'll just leave this here ....

 

[Baz JJ]

He was one hairy SOB - and so is the Gorilla.

No, he was a true comic genius. One of the greats.

Unfortunately, funny men are often the saddest out of the limelight.

Hollywood is not very forgiving.

When you're up, you're the best thing since sliced bread and when you're not, people cant get away from you fast enough.

Such is the shallowness of that society.

I heard he was verging on bankruptcy, was having to take second rate parts to pay the bills and of course, had his alcoholism problem.

Can you imagine the pressure of being someone who achieved so much.

Everybody you meet expects great things - go on, Robin, make me laugh, tell us a joke.

Its an uphill climb that cant be maintained.

Many famous comedians end up depressed.

I also imagine its very easy to get hooked on the adoration, the applause.

So many bright stars just burn out.

For me, the epitome of Robin was Mork and Mindy and of course his superb acting in Mrs Doubtfire.

Unlike many comedians, he was incredibly versatile.

His daughter capped it all.

She said he would have been happy to have known that he made so many laugh.

For those full of negativity for him, she said he will direct a flock of pigeons to crap on your car just after you clean it.

I can hear him laughing at that..

 

[dapprman]

I can actually vaguely remember his appearance on Happy Days. Not sure if it was 1978 as back then we'd see US sitcoms 1-2 seasons after they'd been broadcast over the Atlantic, not 1-2 episodes.

He was, as others have and will say, incredibly versatile and a comic genius, especially with the improv. I can still remember the stir he created with Dead Poet Society as he was playing (extremely well) a straight role (could have sworn Seize the Day was not a comedy either). For me Good Morning Vietnam is still his best work - much of it done with out a script, though Good Will Hunting is another on a must see list for him.

 

[BrightCandle]

His work was great and I have found even his recent work (angriest man in brooklyn - not a very good movie but has its moments) lifted my spirits. Never met the guy, don't know him, haven't followed his career but enjoyed much of his work. It is sad a man he took his own life not realising how many people thought highly of his work. Its a strange feeling to realise their will be no more movies with him in them, he has been in them most of my life.