# 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:** 15
**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 13, 2014, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/281 "2014-08-13T19:17:42Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > In this case, I think two nanos would be appropriate. Well played, **VT**. Well played. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/282 "2014-08-13T19:36:20Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > Leave it to Fox News’ Shepard Smith to open mouth, [insert both feet.](https://tv.yahoo.com/news/foxs-smith-expresses-regret-over-williams-214521000.html) [Zelda Williams:](http://movies.msn.com/movies/article.aspx?news=882023) > [@](#): > > Zelda, who appeared with her father in the 2004 film “House of D,” added, “To those he touched who are sending kind words, know that one of his favorite things in the world was to make you all laugh. As for those who are sending negativity, know that some small, giggling part of him is sending a flock of pigeons to your house to poop on your car. Right after you’ve had it washed. After all, he loved to laugh too.” ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/283 "2014-08-13T19:38:18Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Having suffered from depression, the saddest part of it is the feeling that no matter what you do, nothing will change the feeling. That’s absolutely true. But it’s also true that for many, the chemical imbalance of the brain that causes that hopelessness can and will respond to medication. What I hate about this is that many who are sunk deep in that black hole will assume that if Robin Williams couldn’t get any help, then there IS no help. And that’s just not the case. (I’m not saying that every depression responds to medication–but just because not everyone responds, that’s no reason to decide it’s not worth trying at all.) Yesterday in this thread, some mentioned the 2006 Terry Gross interview in which Williams denied ever being clinically depressed. I’m wondering now if that was something beyond mere denial and shame over the stigma of depression. I’m wondering if the insurance companies that must sign off on the primary figures in major feature films (the lead actors and director), WILL insure for addictive behavior, but WON’T insure if the person has admitted to being diagnosed with clinical depression. If true, that should change. The 2006 Fresh Air interview, as broadcast on 12 August 2014: > **[Robin Williams: In Looking For Laughs, 'You Have To Be Deeply Honest'](https://www.npr.org/2014/08/12/339823090/robin-williams-in-looking-for-laughter-you-have-to-be-deeply-honest)** > > The comedian and actor died Monday at age 63. In 2006, Williams spoke with Fresh Air's Terry Gross about improvising, his training and how people expected him to act crazy. Insightful remarks from Dick Cavett on Williams and depression: > **[For A Comic Like Robin Williams, Depression Can Wait 2 Steps Offstage](https://www.npr.org/2014/08/12/339878576/for-a-comic-like-robin-williams-depression-can-wait-2-steps-offstage)** > > Robin Williams reportedly suffered from severe depression before his death. Former TV talk show host Dick Cavett recalls his interview with Williams and his own struggles with depression. ---
**Author:** ![AppallingGael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9bd4f/32.png) [@AppallingGael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AppallingGael)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/284 "2014-08-13T20:12:33Z")
> [@Lucretia](#): > > Well, you might go ahead and read the whole thread, where people have answered this questions multiple times over. However, in case you don’t have time, I’ll summarize. I trust you also sent this to his inbox. As to a possible specific impetus, no real opinion here but I have just read Albert Goldman’s Lenny Bruce bio, and Bruce had received in the mail a notice of foreclosure on his home the day that he died. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/285 "2014-08-13T22:35:38Z")
> [@Mops](#): > > ☹ > > [Tribute to one scene, in yesterday’s main late evening news show in Germany](http://cdn3.spiegel.de/images/image-735942-galleryV9-xydg.jpg) that is lovely. jimmy fallon also stood on his desk and ran a clip of mr williams’ first appearance on “the tonight show”. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/286 "2014-08-13T23:10:04Z")
Tweet from Josh Charles (who played one of the students in _Dead Poets Society_) > [@](#): > > Your humor, like hot jazz, was topped by your sensitivity, compassion & kindness. Standing on my desk for you, always. #RIPRobinWilliams ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/287 "2014-08-13T23:20:16Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > What I hate about this is that many who are sunk deep in that black hole will assume that if Robin Williams couldn’t get any help, then there IS no help. One thing I’ve heard several times in the last few days is that whenever a famous person commits suicide, the calls to the national suicide prevention lifeline increase. It could be that the publicity causes more people to consider suicide, but it could also be that it suggests to people that they should get help. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/288 "2014-08-14T00:15:31Z")
Let’s not exclude the possibility: Maybe Robin did not even make a mistake. Maybe it was time and he knew it. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/289 "2014-08-14T00:26:09Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Let’s not exclude the possibility: Maybe Robin did not even make a mistake. Maybe it was time and he knew it. I’m going to ask you what this means. I’m not sure I should do that given some of the hijacks and inflammatory remarks in this thread, but just for the hell of it- what does that mean? ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/290 "2014-08-14T00:43:54Z")
craig ferguson is usually very fast, however even the fastest can catch a joke a few minutes later. 7ish minute to 10ish minute. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/sBp7RybcrHQ/maxresdefault.jpg "Craig Ferguson & Robin Williams - Tweetmail Nov 2011") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBp7RybcrHQ) mr williams seemed to laugh the most when he was with mr ferguson. ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/291 "2014-08-14T01:04:23Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Well played, **VT**. Well played. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/292 "2014-08-14T03:32:02Z")
I remembered the Mork and Mindy episode of Dr. Morkenstein, in it Mork reprogrammed a robot (none other than Robbie the Robot with Roddy McDowall as the voice of the Robot) and gave him emotions, but it began to fail after a mishap and its growing deterioration showed that it was going to completely fail soon. It died in the arms of Mork. Mork’s sad report to Orson was one of the first signs that showed to all how capable Robin Williams was for drama too. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5XlpVcO4hg) "_Orson_: So your friend is gone forever? _Mork_: Oh no sir, I’ll always keep mine here [in my heart]" One of the few times that there was no fanfare and applause at the end of the show, just a sad “Na Nu” RIP ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/293 "2014-08-14T03:38:52Z")
You have a good memory. an amazing performance for a sitcom. Henry Winkler summed it up. He said the first seconds of seeing Wlliam’s debut he knew he was looking at real talent. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/294 "2014-08-14T05:00:19Z")
For those of us who remembered the story of Grimaldi (see upthread), here’s Dick Cavett in Time Magazine [Robin Williams Dead: Won't Be the Last Suicidal Star Says Dick Cavett | TIME](http://time.com/3106170/robin-williams-dead-dick-cavett-suicide-depression/) > [@](#): > > His death recalled a moment with him years ago in a small club. He came off stage after bringing a cheering audience to its feet. “Isn’t it funny how I can bring great happiness to all these people,” he said. “But not to myself.” ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/295 "2014-08-14T05:15:00Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > One of the few times that there was no fanfare and applause at the end of the show, just a sad “Na Nu” Off topic but I’m glad to see someone finally spell that the way it was pronounced rather than the “nano nano” attribution that I’ve seen ever since that show went off the air. ETA: Sorry, **aceplace57**. It occurred to me after writing the above that some poster may have spelled it nano nano in the thread and sure enough a search came up with you. No offense to you I hope. ---
**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 14, 2014, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/296 "2014-08-14T05:31:39Z")
I posted a clip from the episode “Mork Meets Robin Williams” earlier, but I want to emphasize a few lines that really stood out for me. Robin Williams (as himself) says, “I don’t know why I can’t say ‘no.’ I guess I just want people to like me.” Mindy tells him, “Maybe if you learned to say ‘no,’ you’d have more time to yourself.” Williams responds, “Maybe that’s the last thing I want.” Very revealing. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/297 "2014-08-14T18:35:16Z")
[His wife says he was in the early stages of Parkinsons.](https://celebrity.yahoo.com/news/robin-williams-had-early-stages-parkinsons-disease-wife-182038139.html) ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/298 "2014-08-14T18:35:20Z")
And she said that he hadn’t relapsed recently. Not that his depression and other problems couldn’t have contributed to what he did, and in any case anything that calls informed attention to the issue of depression is good. But it does put things in a very different light. ---
**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 14, 2014, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/299 "2014-08-14T19:21:17Z")
> [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](#): > > According to [this article](http://www.forbes.com/sites/trialandheirs/2014/08/12/whats-next-for-robin-williams-family-and-estate/), he thought he was facing bankruptcy. Whether he was or not, it shows his frame of mind. It’s so sad to think what he might have been going through. That article did not exactly say that. He was still earning a lot of money. His estate has been well planned out for years. It is unclear how much debt he was in. According to that article his real estate was worth much more than is owed. And someone who has the ability to work steady for damn good money can recover from bankruptcy pretty quick. If he was in fact facing bankruptcy. He has 4 movies in the can which I presume he was paid well for. His last TV series was not renewed but he was paid $165,000 per episode. And he could always hit the road as a comic and command good ticket prices. I’m not saying it wasn’t a factor. He may not have been thinking rationally about his situation. ---
**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 14, 2014, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/300 "2014-08-14T19:22:37Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > [His wife says he was in the early stages of Parkinsons.](https://celebrity.yahoo.com/news/robin-williams-had-early-stages-parkinsons-disease-wife-182038139.html) I just heard about that too. I wonder if that would in any way make the depression worse brain-chemically wise. **ETA** : Just went to wiki to look up Parkinsons and it had this to say. “The motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease result from the death of dopamine-generating cells in the substantia nigra” and “whereas depression is the most common psychiatric symptom. Other symptoms include sensory, sleep and emotional problems” Damn sounds like the Parkinsons could have made the depression worse and the lack of dopamine and emotional problems could have compouned everything. It sounds like he could have just been slammed hard. In that picture of him at Dairy Queen it looks like he couldn’t even really fake being happy for his fans anymore. > **[Robin Williams, in Minnesota for Hazelden visit, stops at DQ](https://www.twincities.com/2014/06/30/robin-williams-in-minnesota-for-hazelden-visit-stops-at-dq/)** > > LOS ANGELES — Robin Williams is reconnecting with the 12-step program during a brief stay at a Minnesota addiction treatment facility. A spokeswoman for the 62-year-old actor-comedian says Wi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333.md?page=16)