# R.I.P. Robin Williams **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** celebrity-death\ **Created:** [August 11, 2014, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333 "2014-08-11T23:04:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Nature\_s\_Call](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nature_s_call/32/19006_2.png) [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/201 "2014-08-12T15:34:14Z")
Obligatory response: My heart goes out to his family. I hope the cherished memories of the joy he brought as a husband, father, etc. eventually breaks through their tears. But to be honest, that socially correct response was not my first. My first was selfish. I’m trying to figure out why what should be yet-another-celebrity-death feels like a personal loss. As others have mentioned, it feel like a friend is gone. Sure, his work was part of the soundtrack of my life (like so many of us). He was a unique talent with an impressive range, from his lightening fast manic silly-wit, to the achingly soulful damaged characters he played in his serious dramas. For me, after Dead Poet’s Society he could no no wrong - I even took Patch Adams and Mrs. Doubtfire seriously (though I do wince at Flubber). It was The Fisher King though that cemented his place amongst my favourite actors. But it wasn’t so much the work that makes this personal (that’s too strong a word). There was a tension between the “always on” persona he easily channelled during interviews and an honest on-his-sleeve sincerity that persona couldn’t cover up. I remember “An All-Star Toast to the The Improv” where he, Billy Crystal, Martin Mull, others, did their bits. Then towards the end Williams gave a brief but passionate speech about how “that word” (points to the Improv sign) _means_ something. There was a rough hewn, full-sized humanity that always shone through. Maybe I imagine this tension only because of reports of his death possibly being a suicide - though I felt if he came over for dinner and he went into that zany zone of his, I hope I would have said something like, “We welcome your entertainment, but please feel free to be yourself .” Knowing his life ended on a tragic note, I deeply wish a guy who spread smiles like a confetti cannon could have had more smiles of his own. This sounds like over the top celebrity worship, and maybe it is. But truly the world is a bit less wonderful now. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/202 "2014-08-12T15:38:49Z")
What a terrible and shocking loss, indeed. I never met him yet thought of him as a friend. He was one of a kind – no one could do the sort of stream-of-consciousness extemporizing that was so effortless for him, and few were his equals in serious acting. That he could hide the demons that were plaguing him so well from the general public was probably a sign of the depth of his intellect. He will be missed. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/203 "2014-08-12T15:48:43Z")
> [@Hippy\_Hollow](#): > > Wow. I never was a fan of the coke-induced schtick, but he was a criminally underrated dramatic actor. One Hour Photo, Good Will Hunting… And he was amazing in World’s Greatest Dad… ironically, about an accidental suicide. I did love the manic standup he did - and he wasn’t much different after he got clean, really, although you can look back at that stuff and marvel at the presumed drug intake. The first time I saw “Reality…What a Concept” I was amazed because I’d never seen a performance like that. (I wasn’t aware of Jonathan Winters at the time.) When you saw him do it over and over it did start to seem like shtick and I wasn’t a fan of his family-movie stuff overall, but as somebody who struggled to string two words together in high school improv performances I remember how impressed I was that somebody could leap from character to character and joke to joke like that. It occurs to me that I saw _What Dreams May Come_ on a date - not the best choice for a date movie! - and what’s sadder is that the girl I saw the movie with has been gone for eight years now. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/204 "2014-08-12T16:43:09Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > I can understand why he did it. I’m not upset. I think he gave it the old college try for long enough to figure out that he’d never be happy. And that’s OK. Which brings to mind the quote from Doug Stanhope: “Life is like a movie, if you’ve sat through more than half of it and its sucked every second so far, it probably isn’t gonna get great right at the end and make it all worthwhile. Noone should blame you for walking out early.” ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/205 "2014-08-12T16:59:17Z")
I just read on [CNN](http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/12/showbiz/celebrity-news-gossip/robin-williams-posthumous-movies/) that Williams had completed four movies before his death that are still to be released. > [@](#): > > There are four completed Williams films expected to be released posthumously: “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb,” “Merry Friggin’ Christmas,” “Boulevard,” and “Absolutely Anything.” Given his love for his craft and his fans, the final work feels like a gift left behind by the beloved actor. So there are four more chances to appreciate his craft and reflect on what a talented and hard-working man he was. ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/206 "2014-08-12T17:26:27Z")
I wonder why so many funny people suffer from depression ? It seems that humor and suffering are linked in a complicated way. We laugh to keep from crying, in a way, I suspect. I don’t know how I could have made it through life without an appreciation for life’s many absurdities. Robin Williams’ inspiration was Jonathan Winters, also a depression sufferer. Thanks for the laughs, Mr. Williams. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/207 "2014-08-12T17:36:28Z")
Slight hijack: news of how he died was reported very shortly after the discovery of his body. I think the Sheriff’s department was going to call a news conference today to talk about it, and usually in such cases we may even have doctors talking about the cause of death. Isn’t such a thing private? Like it violates some law? Or does the fact that he was a public figure mean that his doctors or the cops investigating the death are allowed to disclose stuff to the public that a regular person could sue over? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/208 "2014-08-12T17:44:08Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Slight hijack: news of how he died was reported very shortly after the discovery of his body. I think the Sheriff’s department was going to call a news conference today to talk about it, and usually in such cases we may even have doctors talking about the cause of death. > > Isn’t such a thing private? Like it violates some law? Or does the fact that he was a public figure mean that his doctors or the cops investigating the death are allowed to disclose stuff to the public that a regular person could sue over? Announcing the cause of death is normal. “Death by asphyxiation” in a suicide usually means the person hanged himself, especially in his own home. I doubt they will give any further details. In the case of the local woman, she took a bottle of OTC sleeping aids before killing herself, probably so she wouldn’t be able to change her mind. Williams may have done something similar, but that’s pure speculation. **Common Good** : Quite often addiction and depression go hand in hand. Substance abuse can alter how your mind works, and addicts commonly also take anti-depressants. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/209 "2014-08-12T17:45:16Z")
When I heard “death by asphyxiation,” I envisioned a plastic bag over the head, a la _House of Sand and Fog_. ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/210 "2014-08-12T17:49:06Z")
He will always be the King of the Moon to me. Have a good one, brother. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/211 "2014-08-12T17:57:40Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Slight hijack: news of how he died was reported very shortly after the discovery of his body. I think the Sheriff’s department was going to call a news conference today to talk about it, and usually in such cases we may even have doctors talking about the cause of death. > > Isn’t such a thing private? Like it violates some law? Or does the fact that he was a public figure mean that his doctors or the cops investigating the death are allowed to disclose stuff to the public that a regular person could sue over? Police investigations are generally a matter of public record. At least when they are concluded. > [@KneadToKnow](#): > > When I heard “death by asphyxiation,” I envisioned a plastic bag over the head, a la _House of Sand and Fog_. There is a well known book that I won’t name that claims that the plastic bag and oxygen replacement is supposedly the preferred method. I have personally seen it a few times in my career. For some insight from someone with a similar background and personal problems here is a column by Jim Norton posted on Time. [http://time.com/3103256/robin-williams-dead-jim-norton/](http://time.com/3103256/robin-williams-dead-jim-norton/) ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/212 "2014-08-12T18:09:57Z")
There’s a press conference about him now. They said he had been seeking treatment for depression. He hung himself with a belt and had several cuts on his wrists. I am sad. ETA: It sounds like he left a note. ---
**Author:** ![Clawdio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d07c76/32.png) [@Clawdio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clawdio)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/213 "2014-08-12T18:10:58Z")
Just wanted to post that i’ve never really felt a real emotional impact at the death of a celebrity… until now. This is a hard one to swallow. Thanks for the joy Robin, you will be greatly missed. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/214 "2014-08-12T18:20:45Z")
Unexpected deaths of well-known celebrities are always shocking. Suicides are always shocking. Double whammy. Even though I wasn’t a big fan of his manic, rapid-fire brand of comedy, I still greatly respected him as an actor, a comedian, and a person. I could somehow see that he struggled with the darkness and I admired his strength. I will never forget him or his passing- this is how I found out: My Teenaged Son: Mom, guess who died??! Robert Williams! Me: I don’t know who that is. MTS: Yes, you do- that guy in the Snickers commercial! Me: Betty White? MTS: No! Did you ever see Mrs. Doubtfire? Me: Yes, but let’s focus on the subject. Who’s Robert Williams? Somehow I think Robin would have smiled at that. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/215 "2014-08-12T18:40:49Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > Fuck you. > Fuck you. As the son of a wonderful, loving father (who by the way had a great sense of humor and seemed fairly happy-go-lucky to most people) who hung himself when I was fifteen, let me cosign that. I never understood why anyone thought I should be angry with him. He didn’t kill someone else, he took his own life. FFS. ---
**Author:** ![nevadaexile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb8c5e/32.png) [@nevadaexile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevadaexile)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/216 "2014-08-12T18:52:30Z")
Very tragic for the family. I am however, disgusted with all of the “fans” who are now expressing their sympathy but who failed to watched his surprisingly not bad sitcom on CBS “The Crazy Ones.” ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/217 "2014-08-12T18:57:56Z")
> [@nevadaexile](#): > > I am however, disgusted with all of the “fans” who are now expressing their sympathy but who failed to watched his surprisingly not bad sitcom on CBS “The Crazy Ones.” What? Are you high? I’m a big fan of Robin Williams, but i happen to think that _The Crazy Ones_ is pretty mediocre television. There is absolutely no contradiction there, and no inconsistency between expressing sympathy for the death of a great talent, on the one hand, and not watching his latest show, on the other. Get a fucking grip. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/218 "2014-08-12T18:58:30Z")
> [@nevadaexile](#): > > Very tragic for the family. > > I am however, disgusted with all of the “fans” who are now expressing their sympathy but who failed to watched his surprisingly not bad sitcom on CBS “The Crazy Ones.” I don’t think you equate sympathy over his death, with a lack of viewership of his most recent endeavor. I’m sure The Crazy Ones would have been the highest rated television show in world history had we all known that watching it may have prevented this tragedy ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/219 "2014-08-12T19:01:50Z")
Eh. Even a fan is not obliged to watch everything an actor does. _Good Morning Vietnam, Aladdin_ and _Mrs. Doubtfire_ remain his standout roles for me. At first I thought he might have killed himself with carbon monoxide fumes from a running car in a sealed garage. Hanging seems so much more… intimate, so much worse. Poor, poor man. May he rest in peace. ---
**Author:** ![nevadaexile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb8c5e/32.png) [@nevadaexile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevadaexile)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/220 "2014-08-12T19:07:40Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > What? Are you high? > > I’m a big fan of Robin Williams, but i happen to think that _The Crazy Ones_ is pretty mediocre television. There is absolutely no contradiction there, and no inconsistency between expressing sympathy for the death of a great talent, on the one hand, and not watching his latest show, on the other. > > Get a fucking grip. No, I’m not high. Are you suffering from hypoxia or its after-effects? _ **The Crazy Ones** _ was not that bad consider that _ **Big Bang Theory** _ is a paradise for halfwits. Perhaps if people had watched the program more, we wouldn’t be online expressing sympathy for its star, who according to interview he gave beforehand, only starred in it because he needed the money. I see a contradiction. If you don’t, then that’s you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333.md?page=12)