# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/61 "2014-08-11T23:47:23Z")
> [@Mr.Kobayashi](#): > > He wouldn’t be the first comedian to [battle with depression;](http://www.express.co.uk/news/showbiz/450302/Tears-of-the-clowns-Comedians-who-battle-with-serious-mental-health-problems) famously Kenneth Williams, Peter Sellers, even Groucho Marx and many others have another ‘side’ to their comedy persona. Also Jonathan Winters, Robin Williams mentor. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/62 "2014-08-11T23:48:23Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > Bye, bye. Sorry to see you go. But really dude, if you were going to watch Popeye on DVD, you shouldn’t have done it alone. Too soon? Yes, it’s too soon. ---
**Author:** ![Greekfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@Greekfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greekfreak)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/63 "2014-08-11T23:49:53Z")
It’s definitely shocking, but I was much more upset when Harold Ramis passed. His interview with Maron illuminates a lot of his state of mind the past few years. Sounds like the combination of the two divorces, his past 10 years of bombing and getting lambasted, and his increasing irrelevance in the business exacerbated his inate bipolar issues. I feel bad for those he’s left behind, especially his kids. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/64 "2014-08-11T23:50:51Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Yes, it’s too soon. Really, it’s just too unfunny. ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/65 "2014-08-11T23:56:34Z")
Oh no… no. He was irreplacable. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/66 "2014-08-11T23:57:47Z")
Not sure what to say, except there goes another one. Damn. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/67 "2014-08-11T23:58:46Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Not sure what to say, except there goes another one. > > Damn. I still can’t believe it. ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/68 "2014-08-11T23:59:39Z")
Couldn’t believe it. Shocking. RIP. ---
**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 12, 2014, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/69 "2014-08-12T00:01:08Z")
I used to work at UC Berkeley and he was going to play Patch Adams and one of the study halls at the university was going to be used for a scene in the movie. He had come to one of the administration buildings, fresh from winning his Oscar from Good Will Hunting, A co-worker told me later that she had handled the Oscar, and it is as heavy as they say. I did not see it as I was coming from an assignment but by chance Robin Williams was leaving the Administration building to go to the study hall and I was right then walking by. I did keep my cool and I just offered my hand I told him “Congratulations Mr. Williams!” He shook my hand and while bending back and forth ( **really** bending back and forth) he said laud and happy: “MUCHAS GRACIAS! MUCHAS GRACIAS!” 😃 That was about 18 years ago, now. ☹ THANK YOU VERY MUCH Robin. For all the fun you gave us. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/70 "2014-08-12T00:01:42Z")
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. RIP Robin. I didn’t follow his personal life but I assumed he got through that manic drug fueled part of his life ok. One RW thing that did make me laugh was his silent role in Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” video. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/71 "2014-08-12T00:03:05Z")
I really liked The Fisher King back in its day. It was one of my favorite movies back then, but I just realized that I haven’t seen it in forever. Sad, sad news. ---
**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 12, 2014, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/72 "2014-08-12T00:06:49Z")
Devastating news. Very, very, funny guy and a really good actor. True comedy legend. ---
**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, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/73 "2014-08-12T00:08:47Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > I loved Robin Williams’ humor. Maybe it’s an age/generational thing. I’m 53 and grew up on Mork and Mindy, it was great TV for a high schooler. I also enjoyed his dramatic work in _The World According to Garp_ (really enjoyed that movie; IIRC it might’ve been one of John Lithgow’s earliest roles) and also _Good Will Hunting_ as I posted earlier. > > One thing about Robin is that I never saw him talking seriously about anything. I didn’t see a lot of his interviews or spontaneous TV reporter talks, but every time I did, he felt like he had to be funny. And God, yes he was. But I couldn’t help but wonder who the _ **real** _ Robin Williams was. Here’s a poignant clip from the third-season Mork & Mindy episode [Mork Meets Robin Williams](https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&persist_app=1&v=AlNVEKrMoOw) in which Mindy interviews Williams for her TV station in his dressing room. He appears to be very candid here, even within the premise of the episode. He speaks about how he can’t say “no” because he wants to be liked. He also explains that he was very shy as a kid and his parents moved around a lot, so he overcame his shyness in meeting new people by telling jokes and funny stories. He doesn’t reveal much, but he seemed to be speaking from the heart. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/74 "2014-08-12T00:10:40Z")
> [@Doug\_Bowe](#): > > What did he have to be depressed about? I see this has been responded to thoroughly, so I’ll just say this: chronic depression isn’t _about_ anything. That’s why it’s chronic and not situational. As arguably the most obviously coked-out public figure of the 80s (and that’s saying a fuck of a lot), I cringe to think he was self-medicating depression all that time, and how it might have left him afterwards. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/75 "2014-08-12T00:12:58Z")
As I was searching for more information about the story, I found an article about [Robin Williams selling his house](http://www.casasugar.com/Robin-Williams-Home-Pictures-34625207) at the end of July of this year. I wonder if that had anything to do with his frame of mind. It’s an absolutely beautiful house. It would feel like a loss to lose it if it was a home. ---
**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, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/76 "2014-08-12T00:13:00Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > I really liked The Fisher King back in its day. One of my favorite movies. Williams’ performance as Perry was just great. I also thought he was excellent in _Awakenings_, and in _Good Will Hunting_. And his _Good Morning Vietnam_ performance was awesome. ---
**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 12, 2014, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/77 "2014-08-12T00:13:02Z")
> [@Doug\_Bowe](#): > > I was not joking. He must have been depressed and I was asking what a happy seeming guy…well, you get the idea. That’s not how depression works. You can be sad about something, but when you’re clinically depressed it’s not necessarily connected to life events. It’s an illness. A person can be terribly depressed while everything in the person’s life seems to be wonderful to an outside observer. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/78 "2014-08-12T00:18:18Z")
Aw shit, no. Not Robin Williams. Fuck. I am so sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/79 "2014-08-12T00:18:25Z")
Loved you in Good Morning Vietnam Robin. R.I.P. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333/80 "2014-08-12T00:20:30Z")
Wow. I’m legitimately shocked. I just flipped to MSNBC and saw the story. I let loose such a heartfelt “holy fucking shit!” that my mother came running over to the TeeVee thinking the White House had just been bombed or something. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-robin-williams/695333.md?page=5)